Is your boss more like Michael Scott or Oprah?

I spent 1/2 the day in the dumpster. Last night my boss stayed late and waited until all of us left. He was pissed because so many of us "wasted company time on those damn IPods!" Keep in mind my boss is ancient and was probably born before the phone was invented. He went to each cubicle, pulled our "Ipods" out of our computers and threw them in the trash. Unfortunately, what my idiot boss thought were IPods are actually #^#&$&$@ THUMBDRIVES which ALL of us use to take stuff home with us to work on at night or the weekends.

Not only did I have to dumpster dive to get them all back and then figure out whose is whose, my $^%#^# boss didn't even apologize. I hope he suffocates on his own toxic farts and dies.

Today my boss began screaming and cursing at his new Droid phone. He was browsing the internet before lunch and when he came back his "internet was half the size". I asked him what he meant and he told me his phone was broken because his screen was half the size it was before lunch and now he can't see anything online.

I told him to turn his phone sideways. Problem solved.

Reading these comments just brought back so many memories of the job I lost and the stress I suffered every single day. I worked for years at a large for-profit health care organization, first in the admin area and then transferred to a clinical setting because I was tired of the office politics. I knew this was more or less a lateral move (pay grade); however, during the interview process was shown the "new" job description. Little did I know this job description would never make it to the appropriate people; you know, the ones who would have final word on yearly evaluations, pay grades, etc. After two years of evaluations of "5" (highest) and only COL pay raises, I was just about ready to speak to the department head.

An unexpected, immediate surgery came up, meaning I had to be out of work about eight weeks. However, since I was never, ever out of work, I had over six MONTHS leave time in my bank. About four months after I had returned to work, this department head and her assistant (who had been crying) literally slammed me with a write-up that was impossible to achieve. The write-up (of my job "duties") in no way resembled anything I had ever seen. The department manager then left for the day. Protocol called for three verbal warnings before being "written up"; I had never even had a verbal warning, let alone being written up. I went to HR; nothing but glowing reviews. Since I was entitled to a copy, I made them myself.

I took them home, read through this information like a crazy person. I called up an unbiased friend (who works in HR at another firm). I had already typed up my three-line resignation letter. To be on the safe side, though, I did ask my friend to look over the whole file; "paper trail and a very poor one at that" were her first words; won't stand up, but your resignation letter is very nice.

I knew that I couldn't stand it; too many secrets and things I really, really didn't want to talk about (things that were said behind those closed doors about other people in the department). I'm not that type of person.

Two days after I left, I started getting calls, job offers. The one I accepted, the one I thought would be my "dream" job turned out to be even worse. Part-time, the hours I chose around the kids' school hours, great money. Yeah, that's how it started. In a physician office; all women; the gossip; the affairs. I ended up having a stroke and haven't worked since. The hubs and I firmly believe the stroke thing was completely stress related; my current doctors have no other explanation.

Sorry for the long post, but I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. It's not worth it at all. It's like, well, I do remember how I used to be and now I don't want to run into anyone that I used to work with because I may or may not remember their name that day. I can't tell anyone to quit their job because of the economy, but it sure can't hurt to keep your eyes and ears open. Money isn't the end all.

You all have it made. I work on an Indian Reservation (casino) and that status allows them to treat ALL employees like it was the 1900's. No employment laws apply - and they are happy to take advantage of it. Harassement, discrimination etc. are the norm, and they are proud of it. Someday the economy will improve....and I look forward to working in AMERICA again. Until then I would be happy with a boss that could just read and write, and an employer that didn't spend all the profits paying off the politicians and putting it up their noses. Certainly NOT spending their tax free billions on their employees or the customers.........

Oprah is a joke. She is a bitch as a boss. If you ever saw her character in "The Color Purple", that is what she is like in real life. I worked for her and she is a nasty ass bitch!!!

my last boss thought he had so much power and was in so much of control he came in storming 1 day walkin really fast threw the returant and as soon as he steped foot in the kitchen he took the biggest spell.. fall. I ever seen then had the nerv to get up and try to get mad at me for not makin sure all the water was not fully dried up and u kno wat i told him ...... YOU SHOULDA WHORE YOUR NONE SLIP ISSUED SNEKERS lol and walked off

I am extremely fortunate to have an Oprah/MacGyver hybrid for a boss with a little Jack Donaghy thrown in. He is extremely influential in his line of work, generous to his employees (He gives me concert tickets for my birthday & usually a spa getaway for Christmas or gift certificate to one of my favorite shops. For our last holiday party he gave away a pair of his own V.I.P. baseball tickets and a chunk of his airline miles.) and will work with the entire company to fix a problem. I can be honest with him regarding my position and the work of the company. Many bosses could learn from him.

are we to assume that michael scott is bad and oprah is good?

My ex-boss is more like Simon Cowell and Judge Judy - cold, crass and could care less about you, just cares if she is going to look good for the big bosses and gives no credit to anyone .

Jacob from Lost...never saw the show but, Geez describes him to a tee...We never know if today he will talk all about himself and how is athletic training is coming along or how he cleaned the stovetop over the weekend and OHH today lets look into Groupons and write all his close friends on facebook...ridiculous...we just smile and cater to him and feel blessed we have jobs...

My boss is exactly like Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wore Prada".

In my experience, it is not a lack of leadership, but a lack of character that defines a bad boss. A good leader uses the cardinal virtues, known since the Ancient Greeks, to guide their actions whether they are at work or not:

Prudence - know your subject area, know what you are talking about as a boss

Justice - give to others thei due respect as human beings and co-workers

Temperance - control yourself and your emotions. No temper tantrums

Courage - back your people and your core principles.

do these things and you can be a great boss... One other thing as I read through this thread... look in the mirror honestly: Are you the right kind of employee? Have you done all you can to help your boss be the best they can be? Are you practising the Cardinal Virtues?

I cannot believe how Winfrey has fooled so many people; if one were to actually step back and analyze her one would find that she is more of a controlling personality that only does certain things when it puts her in the best light possible. Most of the books she has selected were average at best with the exceptions of her recently adding some of the classical literature which go beyond pale. Winfrey's PR machine even successfully deflected the disaster of her all girl school in Africa (one may wonder why she did not do the same for the underpriviliged in the United States; oh that's right she would have had to use real teachers instead of the criminals she staffed her African school with).

Well the ciomments are great but check out the security and see what you get no perks no sick days little flexibility. Just as long as a body is present for a shift. Really I don't know what person that emulate. Very Little on comments that can be made about williingness to change. I think I could use one day of sick day with pay. Just one person opinion They must be talking about careers not jobs.

Previous boss was similar to Michael Scott. Current boss is fabulous, witty and I thoroughly enjoy her company. (Currently self-employed!)

What happens when you lay down the law?

Even bosses have bosses. I am a supervisor and I am responsible for employees under me. I am fair. I'm not abusive. Yet, however, sometimes I have to lay down the law becasue if they don't do their job, my job isw on the line because I to have a bosss who also has a boss.

Don't you people have work to do?

Michael Scott in a heartbeat! My husband called it last year when over half our staff was getting pink slipped from our district and our principal through a happy hour at his house to "cheer us up!"

In 1984 I had a boss who decided she would not accomodate me leaving work two hours early twice a month, to go to a medical center for chemotherapy treatment for metastic cancer...this was in a healthcare setting where the clinic was closed on the afternoons I would be leaving early...I managed to handle it so she was able to back down without losing face, but I was astonished that she would be so controlling when it was a matter of my life.
I have a friend who a couple of years ago passed her boss in the hallway when the boss told her to go to the bathroom and flush the toilet for her. The boss said she had just had a BM but "didn't have time to flush the toilet"...as improbable as this sounds, it is true...needless to say every employee simply refused her order and she ended up having to flush the toilet herself! Where does the universe find these fools?

!st. Excuse my grammar, & spelling.
My boss is very lacksidaisy. Everything & anything he'll always put on the bottom of the pile. And when push comes to shove. He can't find it. DRIVES ME CRAZY...

I like to be like the Time Warner Cable CEO in San Antonio. An Evil man who only care about number and make money. This guy don't care about you or your mother. I guess been like him, people will like me and serve me as a GOD.

My boss is a cross between Simon Cowell and Donald Trump. Cut my hours to 16 per week because he couldn't afford to keep me full time ( he's a doctor) and the next week bought a $1.2 million piece of LAND only in Tahoe.

My boss is a combination of Donald Trump and Simon Cowell... Insulting, judgemental, powerful, and controlling... Love the guy but he about put me in the grave of late...I have been with him for over 30 years hoping one day when his Mom & Dad gave him the company he would be the guy I once remember.. Generous, kind, and at least open to some disucussion... HELP

Linda, I could say ditto about my boss, except she was a woman. I also am glad I am gone.

My boss is a potent combination of these three: Jacob from 'Lost,' Simon Cowell, and MacGruber.

After years of having all the bosses listed above from Simon Cowell to Michael Scott (his real name was actually Michael as well) I finally get to work twice as much and as hard. But now, I work for myself with no idiot hovering over me.
freedom has finally rang!

My office has a nice policy of buying birthday cards for the employees. There's only about 30 of us, so it's not overly complicated. We get a card, pass it around and everyone signs it.

One of my co-workers recently lost her father after battling a long illness. We got her a sympathy card. My stupid boss used a red marker and signed it, "Have fun on your special day. You deserve it!". Idiot.

My stupid boss ignored the signs on the front door of the building and a reminder from the receptionist that the water would be off for several days. A construction crew broke the water main and there is no water coming into the building. We were told to use the bathrooms in the office building next door. This didn't stop my stupid boss from using our bathroom and letting loose what sounded like 10 gallons of diarrhea. Of course, he couldn't flush it away because there's no water. His excuse..."I thought they just meant the water fountain was out."

Guess whose cubicle is three feet from the men's room?

"Wisdom" from my stupid boss:

Last Tuesday was my company's Thanksgiving lunch. Before eating my boss said a few words to remind us to be thankful. He told us to be thankful for our family, friends, health, having a job and to thank Christopher Columbus for inventing Thanksgiving.

My boss is a corp.syscopath....

My boss is a mixture between Satan, Hitler, and Hannibal Lector.

My boss is dictator,isolated man who doesn't know about organizational managment and better leadership. Actually, i feel very dishonesty to adhere him because he is not delegating works to motivate me neither he does allow to do something with mental discertion.

my old boss(im retired) reminded me of gilligan on gilligans island as goofy as they come

a dont know what all about and i dont beleive that there are still good boss, thay are fair.

i worked in several industry and never ever they deserve their position, every one look after his advantage

My direct manager is very fair and very reasonable. He is easy to deal with and I like working for him.

His boss, however, is a complete horse's ass. I'm seriously still not sure how to exactly describe what is wrong with him, but to give you an idea, two days ago I was threatened with unemployment for formatting a phone number wrong when I emailed him. He will threaten to fire everybody for anything but does not actually write out any policies or follow any himself. The office feels extremely unstructured and lax until he has an interest in getting somebody fired, and if you try to change or improve things at all that is grounds for going on his bad list.

I try to keep to my immediate manager as much as possible :)

My boss is the kind of person who wants profit no matter how, but never delegating what you really are suppose to do. The last time he went on a trip, before departing, he simply told me; be careful. I still don't know what that meant honestly. I have written him several emails, since we can't seem to be able to meet face to face, about what needs to be done in order that my office can be more productive. Most of the time he simply doesn't respond at all, and other times, he just sends remarks that have nothing to do with what I had previously conveyed to him. Working for a person who reminds you, you have a job and a salary because of him, is stressful and demeaning. At the same time I have to be clairvoyant to read is D*** mind.

My boss is spineless and an a**kisser. During last year's Christmas party we actually heard him say to his boss, "Nice socks boss! Argyles?" I hate to see people make fools of themselves and it is particularly difficult when it is your boss.

my boss is like Simon Cowell/Sybil/deer hunter you never know what he's going to be like once he hits the door, he also loves to tell you it's his company and where the Unemployment line is! you could be working there for years and once you leave he'll make out like you never did anything!

SHE IS CRAZY. BLACK