“Help! My Supervisor Demeans Everything I Do” HR Advices

By Elizabeth Benu,

“I have been working for a FCMG company as a sales representative for 10 months. When I started working there I had a supervisor who was really nice but she was moved to another department. In the last 3 months this new supervisor has been demeaning me and making comments that belittle me. I have done everything including avoiding her but she cannot seem to leave me alone. What should I do? Is it okay if I personally confront her or should I just be silent about the issue? I do not want to lose this job. Please help,” writes Lillian Okello

When starting a job, finding the right supervisor makes the experience worthwhile and easy. But when you find a supervisor who will say mean things to you and not even appreciate your work the experience and work place environment becomes unbearable.

So if you were in a similar situation, what would you do?

“At this point, take time to know whether what she/he is telling you is the truth or a lie. You can do this by requesting views from other people such as your colleagues. If it is the truth then rectify it and see if she changes her attitude towards you. If it is not the truth report to someone who is more superior to your supervisor,” advices Gladys Bundotich a HR Officer at Janta Kenya

Ms. Bundotich says that confronting the supervisor will not be a good idea

“You are at a lower level and a personal confrontation will look like you are disrespecting him/her. Take the option of talking to her superior,” she adds

Is it advisable to keep a record? I ask further

“Keeping a record is good. When you get to have a meeting concerning the issue you can produce a record accounting for those times she demeaned you,” Ms. Bundotich explains.

And what if this keeps going on even after the meeting with your supervisor and her superior, should you quit the job? I ask

“When this continues you should realize there is a problem. It is advisable to look for another place to work at,” Ms. Bundotich replies

Are there any disadvantages that come with remaining silent over the issue? I probe further

“Yes there are. Keeping such issues to yourself will affect you negatively. It will most importantly affect your performance. When you are silent about it you will not cope with the expected performance levels of your job,” explains Ms. Bundotich

What advice does she have for an employee who has to deal with a demeaning supervisor?

“Be patient. He/she may be doing it because of stress. Some people bring their stress to work and it may wear off in a few days. If there is no change it is time to report to a superior,” she concludes.

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