How do you deal with a vicious, lying boss?

Question

I have worked in a hospital with volunteers for many years.  Last September they hired our fifth director.  At first everything was going well.  Beginning in May, she started a smear campaign against my other coworkers and me.  I was planning on going down a different career path after completing school but decided against it because I wanted to try and advance in my current job.  Of course the only place I can move is up in this director's office.  The volunteers we work with are completely supportive of this decision and want me in this position.  I think my boss understands this and she knows no one likes her.  I feel like she is trying ruin me so I won't be considered for her job when she leaves.  I constantly hear her lying about me (my desk is close to her door) to the CEO of the hospital as well as some of the volunteers.  She also has this new mysterious man spying on me, but supposedly my boss does not know him, he is just a new "volunteer".  This man tells my boss everything I do or say, nothing bad of course.  It is completely unnerving.  We have had two confrontations where she actually lied about me TO MY FACE!  I told her she was a liar but she refused to listen to me.  I guess she believes this stuff she has concocted in her head!!!

I feel like I can go to the CEO and talk to him and try to set things straight that she has done.  I have known him a long time.  But how do I say I heard all these things without appearing like an eavesdropper?  And I don't want to be like her and bash, but I would like to explain to him that so many people are unhappy with her performance.  For instance she makes us adjust our time cards so she doesn't get into trouble for us working overtime.  She also talks about her employees, each of us, to the others.

She is the absolute worst boss ever.  Even the people she is supposed to be supporting can not stand her.   Please help because I am going insane!

Codys mom · Accepted Answer

I'd say document your work (camera or paper) and everything you're supposed to do in your duties and when she makes accusations against you, you can go to the CEO and prove to them that you did do your job and the accusations are false.  

I would not participate in the cat fight she's started.  Calling her a liar to her face will not solve anything.  If you want her job, find out what the requirements are and work towards meeting those requirements.  Then document your qualifications and tell your CEO that you'd like to be considered for that job or something similar when there is an opening.  Right now that job is filled by her.  And there is nothing you can do about it.  If you think she's not qualified and you bring that up to the CEO, you're telling the CEO that he has bad judgement and he's not going to be happy with you when you do that.  Why does she think you want her job?  

Best thing to do is to do what you're supposed to do in your current job and do it well and document it.  Volunteer at any opportunity to stretch and show your leadership skills so you can get noticed by the management staff.  Then when a real opportunity comes up, you will automatically be considered since you've already demonstrated a capability by volunteering to do something outside your job.  This is how you advance.  Not fighting with your director.  Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

She has the job so your personal opinion can't count right now. If you know the CEO you know he knows your work record and how you behave. I wouldn't defend myself about a liar. I would just be who I am and work how I do.

It doesn't matter if people are unhappy with her performance. Unless she is completely going against your Ethical Policy or your Mission Statement/Vision there's nothing but the whole "he said/she said" thing going on. 

Adjusting a time card is illegal. I would take that to HR and start there. 

The guy that's telling her things about you- so what- nothing bad to report so let him yap.

If you feel she's lied, be very specific about what she is saying and put it in writing and ask her to meet with you to discuss it. If she won't meet, go to her supervisor and ask for a meeting. Just be very sure you can detail what you heard, not what you think you heard.

Obviously she is doing something right because she is still there. Tread carefully, follow company policy and procedure and make your feelings known professionally.

Anonymous · Answer

In my company you have a confidential meeting with an HR representative.

BikerChick · Answer

FIND ANOTHER JOB.  NO MATTER WHO YOU TRY AND TALK TO, THE BOSS WILL WIN, SO DON'T SET YOURSELF TO GET FIRED, JUST FIND ANOTHER JOB.

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How do you deal with a vicious, lying boss?

4 Answers