Topic: How do you deal with Micro Managers?
Phxlilly's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:09 PM
I've been at the same company for many years and have proven that I am reliable (havent called off in 5 years) dependable (have filled in for anybody else that has, on top of my own work) and accurate in what I do. I am an Admin Asst but my manager is a micro-manager to the people under her and makes it clear she has no respect for me since I'm "just a secretary" and not in management. I've offered to help her with many projects and she declines. Even though I have to do certain paperwork on employees, I'm the last one in the whole dept to knwo whats going on. This kind of treatment over many months has gotten me to the point of not only dreading going to work, but also hating my life. All the other Admins are treated like assistants should be by their bosses (like their right hand) but I'm lucky to be treated like a human being. Any ideas from professionals what I can do?

trace78's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:11 PM
If you get an answer, share some advice with me. Im in the same boat, im overworked and underappreciated after YEARS of proving myself. I hate my job, and i hate using the word "hate". So keep me posted if you get any advice on here.

Flarob's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:13 PM
Does she dole out your assignments - constantly tell you what to do. If so, there is a way to handle her.

IndnPrncs's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:13 PM
there are all kinds of tricks to dealing with people like that and of course not one is coming to me right now... But it also depends on the type of person she is... Is she just a control freak or is it that she will not trust anyone doing something b/c it's her name that goes on the project in the end? Have you tried asking her? Is she a young/new manager? There are phases and ages "most" managers go through... Is she one of very few female managers?

Phxlilly's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:18 PM
She's been a manager for quite awhile. One of many female managers. She is younger than me by about 10 years or so. She doesnt dole out assignments as we have regular things to get done, but anything extra that she needs done I'm willing to do. In other words I'm bored out of my freakin mind as she won't give me anything to do. Yes she is a control freak (both at work and at home from what I've gathered in her conversations with her other employees). And yes any advise I get on here I will gladly share with others that need it.

Phxlilly's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:19 PM
And at the moment I'm also embarrassed besides being frustrated as I said I was very accurate in my work but I'm so upset that in my opening I spelled KNOW wrong!! laugh

lady_karan's photo
Thu 05/29/08 06:23 PM
she forget you make her job easy, and you make her look good so its tiem to post for a new job make it known you could do her job laugh go over her head if you have to. good employee's are hard to find... start calling out so you can look for a job, and it will not look good for her

uk1971's photo
Fri 05/30/08 12:03 PM
Is there no one above her that you can confide in?
You could always ask her for a 1 to 1 talk to explain how you feel. She may not even realize how you feel if she is too engrossed in 'other matters.'

franshade's photo
Fri 05/30/08 12:07 PM
When we work for corporations, small or big companies, the best thing is that everyone has a boss and normally reports to someone else.

Ask for additional responsibilities, within earshot of her superiors.

or simply try and transfer out of her department.



therooster's photo
Fri 05/30/08 12:11 PM

I've been at the same company for many years and have proven that I am reliable (havent called off in 5 years) dependable (have filled in for anybody else that has, on top of my own work) and accurate in what I do. I am an Admin Asst but my manager is a micro-manager to the people under her and makes it clear she has no respect for me since I'm "just a secretary" and not in management. I've offered to help her with many projects and she declines. Even though I have to do certain paperwork on employees, I'm the last one in the whole dept to knwo whats going on. This kind of treatment over many months has gotten me to the point of not only dreading going to work, but also hating my life. All the other Admins are treated like assistants should be by their bosses (like their right hand) but I'm lucky to be treated like a human being. Any ideas from professionals what I can do?


:wink: Change job,!!!!!! drinker

MsCarmen's photo
Fri 05/30/08 12:23 PM
Looks to me like you have 3 options

1. Talk to her and tell her what's bothering you. But I don't know if that would be a good idea since she is a control freak she might take offense to what you have to say and make more trouble for you.

2. You can go over her head and speak to someone else about. That too could backfire as well because they could take her side and then it would look like you were trying to start trouble for her.

3. Find a new job. With all the experience you got, perfect attendance, and great work ethics I'm sure it wouldn't be long before someone was begging you to come and work for them.

I don't know if any of my suggestions will help, but I really do think you need to do something about and quickly because if it goes on too much longer it will definitely start having an effect on your work and your work ethics.

Good luck!flowerforyou

Citizen_Joe's photo
Fri 06/06/08 02:39 AM

knwo whats going on. This kind of treatment over many months has gotten me to the point of not only dreading going to work, but also hating my life. All the other Admins are treated like assistants should be by their bosses (like their right hand) but I'm lucky to be treated like a human being. Any ideas from professionals what I can do?


If it's not a cycle that is repeating, it sounds like a good time to consider a career change. It's pretty much impossible to change one person, let alone company politics.

Citizen_Joe's photo
Fri 06/06/08 02:40 AM


knwo whats going on. This kind of treatment over many months has gotten me to the point of not only dreading going to work, but also hating my life. All the other Admins are treated like assistants should be by their bosses (like their right hand) but I'm lucky to be treated like a human being. Any ideas from professionals what I can do?


If it's not a cycle that is not repeating from job to job, it sounds like a good time to consider a career change. It's pretty much impossible to change one person, let alone company politics.

franshade's photo
Fri 06/06/08 06:14 AM
I am management, dont truly understand how some are so insecure to micro manage.


robert1652's photo
Tue 06/10/08 11:59 AM
I divorced her simplelaugh

franshade's photo
Tue 06/10/08 12:09 PM

I divorced her simplelaugh


that easy huh? laugh laugh laugh