Dealing with my manager

Your relationship with your manager can seriously impact on your working life, so it's important you start off on the right foot.

If you're lucky, you'll walk into a job with a boss who offers help and advice whenever you need it. But this is not always the case. If you're really unlucky, you could even end up with a bully for a boss. Usually, however, problems between managers and staff are more likely to be the responsibility of both parties, so the good news is that you can do something about it.

How can I get on the right side of my boss?

 
"The first few weeks in a new job are crucial," says Arlene Stone, head of HR at Bath Spa University. "All those little things like turning up on time or early and making sure you're smart, cheerful and willing count. They can even shape the type of duties you're given. In addition to just doing what you're told, try wherever possible to do things using your own initiative," she advises.

"Remember, you're likely to be on a trial period, so make sure you're clear about what's expected of you," she adds. Having confidence in yourself will help you stand out. After all, if your employers didn't think you could do the job, they wouldn't have hired you.

Communication is the key

 
While a good working relationship will be based on respect and encouragement, often a bad relationship is due to stress, bad communication or poor training. while le it's always possible your boss is just a grumpy control freak with no social skills, consider that they might be struggling at work as well. So if you seem to have got off on the wrong foot with your manager, ask yourself whether there are underlying problems that could be resolved.

Marie is an administrator at a contact centre. She only sees her boss rarely and feels guilty about approaching him when she needs help. "He has a very heavy workload; if he isn't in a meeting, he's in his office. I worry about pestering him for advice as it seems this is his only chance to be get things done," she says.

The lack of face-to-face chats with her manager caused Marie to seriously doubt her abilities. "I would definitely say that my relationship with my boss influences how much I enjoy my job," she says. "I thrive on feedback and if I'm not given any, I start to worry that my work doesn't impress anyone."

Eventually, she plucked up the courage to ask her manager for a one-to-one meeting. She was able to express her concerns and was reassured that she had been doing a good job. Marie also took this opportunity to ask for some extra responsibilities, which she has now been given. "It was definitely worth speaking up," she says.

What can I do?

If you feel your relationship with your boss isn't good but are not sure why, a good starting point is to ask yourself some questions, says Gill Trevelyan, Head of Good Practice Services at Acas.

Does your manager:

• Regularly talk to you – at team meetings or one-to-one – to find out how your work is going and inform you of work developments and news?
• Ask your opinion on workplace issues and listen to what you have to say?
• Treat you fairly and with respect?
• Set a good example in terms of timekeeping?
• Offer support and encouragement to help you develop?

"If the answer is 'no' to any of these questions then you may have cause for concern," says Gill. "But remember that good relationships at work are based upon a system of give and take."

A good line manager should provide you with:

• Opportunity for job satisfaction
• Training
•  Equal opportunities
• Clear objectives
• Flexible working and work-life balance
• Regular communication and consultation

In return you should try and give your manager:

• Effective performance
• Pride in a job well done
•  Flexibility
•  Understanding of the bigger picture
• Regular feedback
• Self-development

Like any relationship, both sides need to work together. If you feel annoyed or frustrated by something, it's important to speak out, but pick your moment carefully. It's also important to keep your side of the bargain; if you're bored at work, think about asking for more responsibility.

By Emma Rubach

Photo by Hannah Belcher

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