My boss ignores me: what do I do?

“I think my boss ignores me, never takes into account my opinions regarding work and doesn’t even look at me when I talk”. Maintaining a good relationship with bosses is one of the main concerns of an employee. After all, it often depends on them whether we keep our jobs, get promoted, get raises, etc.

Feeling that our boss ignores us is a situation that can cause stress. However, it is a complex issue to address and it is advisable to proceed prudently to avoid other problems.

Let us not forget that, in some cases, this attitude could correspond to a type of harassment. In any case, in this article you will see useful tips to know how to move in a situation like this.

Why is my boss ignoring me?

One of the first things people do when they have this experience is ask themselves: why? In this way, you can end up thinking “maybe my boss ignores me because I don’t try hard enough.” However, Not in all cases it is a question of performance at work. Additionally, it is not common for a boss to ignore an employee who is not doing his or her job well. On the contrary, he would be expected to point out his flaws in order to improve, since his behavior affects the company.

Sometimes, without realizing it, we can be victims of bullying or workplace harassment. Intentionally ignoring an employee is still covert aggression – with it, your superior could, for example, try to motivate you to resign from your job. It could also be overcompensation for the superior’s own mediocrity or to satisfy narcissistic needs.

Mobbing is a type of aggression that has negative effects on the victim. Muñoz Chávez and López Chau (2018) published a work on the relationship between bullying and job satisfaction. It was found that workplace bullying affects job satisfaction and, more generally, quality of life..

Other reasons why your boss might be ignoring you

Now, thinking that “my boss ignores me” does not always have to do with a harassment situation at work. Remember that this is a subjective perception and there could be other logical explanations for the situation that exclude mobbing.

He doesn’t want to harm your performance. Some superiors have the belief that fawning over good employees makes them feel “confident.” Therefore, they think it is better to interact with them as little as possible so that they continue to be productive.He’s testing you. It is common for bosses to be interested in knowing how their employees work under pressure. This way, they can choose not to give you directions when you ask for them in order to observe how you perform.Rumors. Maybe your boss heard comments that he doesn’t like you or that you insulted him. For this reason, he could be ignoring you because he feels uncomfortable in your presence.

What to do if my boss ignores me?

On the other hand, a useful strategy to determine if there is a particular problem with you is to compare yourself with your peers.

If you see that other workers do receive attention, recognition and support in the office, but you do not, it is a bad sign.. In this situation, there are certain recommendations that you can take into account.

1. Do not discuss the problem publicly

It’s normal to want to tell someone “my boss ignores me,” but doing so can be counterproductive.. Unintentionally, a rumor could begin to circulate around the office that your superior is mistreating you. In the end, it would end up reaching your boss’s ears; The consequence would probably be that the relationship between you would become more tense. Thus, you could see how your problems multiply.

If you are going to tell someone about the situation, do it with people you trust. The ideal is only to share it at work with the people who may have some responsibility in the situation – boss, psychologist, human resources department, etc. -. It is preferable that you share it with your circle of friends, partner or a trusted family member.

2. Observe the situation for a reasonable amount of time

It is possible that the reason why your superior is ignoring you is something temporary. Wait a few weeks to see if any changes occur. It could be that right now the company is in a difficult situation that generates stress and that causes it not to interact much with you. If after a while it does not improve, then proceed with the following recommendations.

3. Take action, don’t let it become that Chinese shoe that you try to keep walking with

There are people who choose to endure mistreatment from a boss because they perceive themselves as inferior. However, this posture will only serve to prolong the problem and make the suffering become chronic. Don’t forget that you don’t deserve bad treatment from anyone, even if it’s your boss.

4. Talk to him in a respectful, but also assertive way

Your boss is a human being just like you and has the ability to feel empathy for others. Therefore, it is a good idea to explain the situation that is occurring to find a solution. It is important that, when speaking, you do not do so in an accusative manner.. Instead of pointing out that he’s ignoring you, try saying that you’re worried about communication problems.

This way you put the problem on the table without accusing anyone, so they are less likely to be defensive. After you explain the situation to him, he may give you his side of the story and you’ll come to an agreement on how to proceed.

5. Go to your company psychologist

Some organizations are lucky enough to have an organizational psychologist. Sharing with him what worries you is a good idea; In fact, one of their job duties is to intervene in relationships that make members of the organization not feel good. Once they know the situation, the professional will be able to guide you and even act as a mediator in case there is a conflict.

6. Consider talking to human resources

If the situation does not improve after exhausting all options, it may be helpful to speak with human resources. The staff of said department can also act as a mediator in these types of conflicts. to find solutions. In fact, if there is a psychologist in the organization, it is likely that they have a very fluid communication channel open with this department or that they are even part of it.

7. Don’t close yourself to the idea of ​​changing jobs

There are situations in life in which the only resolution may be a radical change. You may want to ask to be transferred to another department in the organization or even go to another company. Remember that enduring this type of treatment can have negative effects on your health in the long term.

To conclude, saying “my boss ignores me” and responding intelligently can be the first step to introducing changes in the work environment. Often, people don’t realize how they treat their employees until someone points it out to them. This crisis can be an opportunity to improve the relationship between people in the organization who have different levels of responsibility.

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