proper response to "maybe you shouldn't work here" (employee, collect)

[JS1]

I've heard that three times from my boss. This is an office job where people are supposed to be professional.

The next time she insults me like that, I'm tempted to reply with "If you're going to tell me I shouldn't work here, then put your money where your mouth is and fire me".

I don't really want to get fired, but at some point this nonsense has to stop. This job is more demoralizing than when I worked in a convenience store and got robbed at gunpoint. If I had six months living expenses saved up, I would quit. But since I don't, I'm stuck there until I can get another job.

[ValueAddedWorker]

Never ask to be fired, even as a joke. The boss can surely find a "legit" reason. If you got laid off, at least you could collect UI.

[Robhu]

You didn't mention what might have prompted her to say that. And say it 3 times over a period of time. Do you give her a reason to say "maybe you shouldn't work here"?
If you want to keep your job untill you can find something better I would suggest not saying anything about "put your money where your mouth is and fire me".
I had a cousin who got into a huff with his boss and started singing the old Johnny Paycheck song "Take this job and shove it". Well, they took his job and escorted him out the door. That is a true story. I got him a job one time where I worked. He had a tendency to forget who was the employee and who was the boss and was kinda mouthy. He didn't last there very long either. That was the last time I ever recommended anyone for a job. Thankfully, he finaly figured out who was the boss and who was the worker and just do his job and not cause unneccessary conflicts. He has now been at the same job for many years after his attitude change.
I kinda had an attutude at one time when I was young. But I ended up retiring from a company with 30 years service and ended up in supervision. Then I got to deal with others being just like my cousin was. I realized that people have bad days and may not always be happy with doing what is expected. That is human nature. But when it became the rule instead of the exception, they were gone. With documentation to back up the reason for the firing.

[GypsySoul22]

How long have you worked there?
Seems to me the writing is on the wall and you need to find something else. Or maybe your supervisor is an idiot who likes needling people?

[annerk]

I would let that incident blow over and then approach your boss in a non-threatening and professional way and say something like "It seems like you aren't entirely pleased with my job performance lately. I really like working here and would like to know very specifically what you need me to learn or change in order to do my job more effectively." Put the onus on them to be a boss--part of which is to mentor employees.

I would ask for this in writing via e-mail, and BCC a copy to your personal e-mail address so that you have proof that you have tried to be better employee. That way if they fire you, it's not for misconduct and you'll be able to collect u/e. It also gives you a leg up with HR.

[JS1]

Originally Posted by annerk

I would let that incident blow over and then approach your boss in a non-threatening and professional way and say something like "It seems like you aren't entirely pleased with my job performance lately. I really like working here and would like to know very specifically what you need me to learn or change in order to do my job more effectively." Put the onus on them to be a boss--part of which is to mentor employees.

I would ask for this in writing via e-mail, and BCC a copy to your personal e-mail address so that you have proof that you have tried to be better employee. That way if they fire you, it's not for misconduct and you'll be able to collect u/e. It also gives you a leg up with HR.

good idea, but unfortunately it would go like this:

me: "It seems like you aren't entirely pleased with my job performance lately. I really like working here and would like to know very specifically what you need me to learn"
boss: "You should know how to do your job. I don't want to hear it."

I had another job one time where my manager interrupted me constantly. How does these people get management positions? I don't get it.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by JS1

good idea, but unfortunately it would go like this:

me: "It seems like you aren't entirely pleased with my job performance lately. I really like working here and would like to know very specifically what you need me to learn"
boss: "You should know how to do your job. I don't want to hear it."

I had another job one time where my manager interrupted me constantly. How do these people get management positions? I don't get it.

I have had times when I wondered the same thing, but it certainly happens. Usually they have some work skills /talents and the person putting them in that position may not recognize they lack the interpersonal skills to go with it. Or often the boss is the owner of the company ...or his wife etc.

When you have a boss who is truly unreasonable, and there is little hope of them leaving or transferring, usually the best thing to do is try to transfer or move on yourself (as you appear to be planning to do.) Actually, though, you need to weigh whether the stress of dealing and working with them is a do-able thing and the job benefits outweigh the negative...or not. Of course, I did this in my previous job. (left, I mean ) They weren't the entire reason I left but a very large part of it. I thought this supervisor would NEVER leave the company. About a year after I left, I heard they inherited some money and quit. So I guess you never know....

[annerk]

Originally Posted by JS1

good idea, but unfortunately it would go like this:

me: "It seems like you aren't entirely pleased with my job performance lately. I really like working here and would like to know very specifically what you need me to learn"
boss: "You should know how to do your job. I don't want to hear it."

I had another job one time where my manager interrupted me constantly. How does these people get management positions? I don't get it.

How is the management chain there? Maybe go to your bosses boss and casually inquire about any opportunities for employer sponsored continuing education in your field.

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by JS1

good idea, but unfortunately it would go like this:

me: "It seems like you aren't entirely pleased with my job performance lately. I really like working here and would like to know very specifically what you need me to learn"
boss: "You should know how to do your job. I don't want to hear it."

I had another job one time where my manager interrupted me constantly. How does these people get management positions? I don't get it.

I agree with annerk. Get your communications in writing. BCC emails to your private email. If you think your bosses' reply would be "You should know how to do your job. I don't want to hear it." - so what? It shows that you are trying and that the boss is a jerk. Send emails about how you finished a project before the deadline, and "is there anything else" you can do? Be super-sweet and nice. It will show in your written communications.

I think your boss wants you to take the bait and quit so you won't collect UI. Two jobs ago when my former boss terminated me and claimed "misconduct", she had a phone interview with the UI claims examiner before I had my phone interview. I was able to explain my side of the situation for each of her "complaints". I had printed dozens of her emails (out of 300+) and had them in front of me, ready to explain what, when, how, and why to anything the claims examiner asked. After explaining each supposed infraction that I made, I would say " I have the email regarding that right here, can I email or fax it to you? The claims examiner said "no" every time and I asked him at least six times. The amount of evidence I had was insane. I won.

[TKramar]

"What do you see as the problem?" is a good response.