How to Handle a Boss Who Yells

Reader Comments

Back to blog

I couldn't take my boss anymore but decided I wasn't going to quit and now have a great relationship with other people within my company. I, along with 4 of my coworkers, just schooled our boss on nicejobbut.com. We named him, his role in the company, and all of the worthless stuff he does all day. (All the while taking credit for our accomplishments) He will never know who posted the ratings (F) and everyone will be able to see how he really is to work for.

Mac of CA 11:22PM June 06, 2010

I work in the IT industry and This is how i assess the correct course of action.

1. How Valid is the yelling? Or is it something that happens for every little thing.

2. Are you getting yelled at for something that was indirectly your fault, or was due to a lack of due diligence on your manager

3. In the past have you stood like a man and taken ownership for your mistakes

4. Are you confident enough in your abilities to find another job. Yes there are jobs out there despite this economy.

I'm pretty sure if you answered It is not big enough to be yelled at, Yes, Yes, Yes. Then do not stand for this garbage and tell your boss or bosses boss where to go when they are in the wrong. If you never put your foot in the sand you will be a punching bag your whole career. I don't know how all managers think, they are all different, but I definitely would rather work with someone with some balls as opposed to a turnstile.

Don't be Scared to fight back of NY 12:03PM May 26, 2010

Can't escalate up the chain of command because the offender is at the top. Much of what I get yelled at for ridiculous things that are because he is very vague about expectations and expects me to be a mind reader. When I try asking questions to get clarification, he gets grumpy and tells me to "just figure it out". However, if I don't ask and do what I think seems best he yells if that wasn't what he wanted.

DeltaD of IL 1:00PM May 19, 2010

These comments and the article are ridiculous this is not to be tolerated in the workplace.Managers are suppose to be able to manage, and nothing in the world gives them the right to belittle anyone.Quiting is not the answer ,the problem is the boss not you why should you leave. I was coming to this site to find answers to my problems with my boss but only found the same answers the cowards at my job shared.This is a form of abuse in a professional work enviroment and complaints should be made up the chain of command until the issue is resolved,I will take my own advice and am now more so then before determined to correct this kind of behavior.I will update the situation after my steps of action.WOW! I just recieved a call from HR while I was typing this and they shared with me that this is the way the person communicates and they are passionate about there job and in their culture they express things loudly and are unaware it being wrong. Next chain of command because that didn't help.

Helena of FL 2:50PM April 27, 2010

I have a supervisor who routinely yells at and belittles people. It has gotten so bad that a new employee in the department is now following her example and feels free she too can berate people at staff meetings. What do I do because I am still on probation. If I bring this to anyone's attention I fear that my boss will fire me. She has very limited knowledge about the department that she is supervising and no respect for a person's expertise. The new employee has a thin veneer of knowledge and is totally following in the footsteps of the boss. Both women are the proverbial bull in a china shop. I have filed complaints with three federal agencies as well as a local advocacy group to get this issue investigated. I am also writing an article for a local newspaper explaining my experience in what seems like Dante's 9th circle of hell.

abused employee of MA 11:01AM March 26, 2010

What do you do with an employee who has yelled at you for trying to correct a serious mistake that they made. Additionally, another recent incident the employee failed to report or document that a patient had fallen in the clinic. The employee only did so after being order to document the event 12 hours after the event -- the report followed 48nhours later.

Ken Amaya of CA 10:34PM March 01, 2010

Yelling at a person does not lead to a solution. Actually agreeing at meeting at the middle works. Take the time to analyze the facts, and if you're wrong, appologize. If they are wrong, talk to them in a respectful, low ton manner and highligh your reasoning with respect. This will show that you are more respectful and collective. Take care of yourself and reputation. Don't let others feed on your positive energy. I tend to smile if it's not my fault, besides they are the one acting like a fool while it's you that acts mature. Smile and smile and smile. If they insult you, agree with them, or politly say it's untrue. It works everytime! Just be a positive person!!!!!!

Christine of AK 1:22AM January 02, 2010

The subject is what to do when your boss yells REGARDLESS of the issue i work for one of those retards he yells at everyone or feels the need to give some kind of speech that he got directly out of the employee handbook for even the most minor things and usually yells at employees when we only did what he asked us to do and HE got in trouble from HIS boss because it was a poor choose in what needed to be done

And no yelling is not acceptable its completely unprofessional although it was good motivation to get a job in what i was really trained in making MORE THAN ME PREVIOUS BOSS doing work i enjoy with normal steady hours working with great people

Naku of WV 2:42PM October 08, 2009

An employer is human and may have an organic underlying psychological problem. Observe to see if your boss reacts to stress by yelling regardless of who they are speaking to. Yelling often shows a deficit in management style and personal management NOT in what the particular person that is being managed has done. Often we get mad at ourselves for not being proactive enough with staff. Always be careful that you are not doing something to be yelled at for. Ask clarifying statements like; what is the priority of this activity, when is the deadline, is the deadline hard or soft, if I need help who do I go to, can I come back to you to assist me, is there a template that you would like me to follow, etc. Everyone deserves a level of respect, your boss should never yell at you.

Kennith of CA 2:29PM October 01, 2009

Dear Joe-General Manager at Major Corporation,

You're an idiot. People like you DO NOT know how to manage people. When people quit, most often it is because of INCOMPETENT management like yourself, so in the end it is YOU who is costing your company money. Dumb @$$.

For anyone who is reading this, DO NOT tolerate yelling. It is unprofessional, disrespectful and emotionally abusive. Everyone deserves to be able to work in a non-hostile environment. You have rights!

sqn of MA 7:08AM September 25, 2009

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

On Careers

Find savvy job advice from the brains behind top careers blogs, including Ask a Manager, Lindsay Olson, Keppie Careers, CareerBliss, Kontrary, Jobhuntercoach, Career Sherpa, Eat Your Career, Marty Nemko, Infusive Solutions and Marla Gottschalk.

Jobs That May Interest You

See Jobs Near You

advertisement

Slide Shows

What Will the Job Market Look Like in 2020?

How will the job market look at the end of this decade?

25 Career Mistakes to Banish for 2013

Remove these mistakes from your repertoire.

10 Wardrobe Musts For Your Next Interview

Tips on what clothing items job seekers need.

Latest Video

advertisement