Breaking in the New Boss (Part 2)

I’m so glad I have therapy again this week. Two weeks ago, I talked to Dr. L and explained what had happened with my new manager. She said I was right to let the first instance go and to give him a month before worrying about the micromanaging because that was probably just his way of learning the ropes. I said I would.


Then today he wanted to meet with me about what I do. I went in with an open mind and a desire to be accommodating as possible. Regardless of my first impression, he’s my boss and life will be easier if we get along.

First he scolded me for not answering the phones enough, though I was told before (by previous managers) that I shouldn’t have to answer them because it isn’t my job. I still help with them, but I don’t answer every call.

Next we went over the list I had made, a loose summary of my day to day job. I am busy all day nearly every day. There are times of the year when business is slow for other people I work with, but not for me. I’m busy year round. I even work from home, off the clock if I have to. Yet there he was, smug as can be, telling me “it’s not 40 hours worth of work.” He’s going to give me more to do.

Then came the final straw. He may be taking away my office and putting me out on the floor with everyone else. The noisy, chaotic floor that makes my head spin and my heart race. Where I can’t focus enough to carry on a conversation, let alone be productive.

I tried to explain why this won’t work. (You’d think that the fact that I had to get up and close his office door just so I could understand what he was saying to me would have been an adequate demonstration) He said “the company is committed to following ADA guidelines” and then added “if we can.” Then he launched into how he used to work in a really chaotic environment and he learned to just push through it. I said “Yeah, it’s great that normal people can do that. I’m not wired that way.” I know “normal” is the wrong word, but I was too upset to express myself properly.

Anyway, he also gave me a hard time about not being social enough with my co-workers….after I started crying (yes, crying…I’m so embarrassed) about not being able to function the way other people do in an environment that overloads my senses. I’m going to ask Dr. L to write a letter, but I’m so scared right now. I don’t want to lose my job because I’m forced into a situation where I can’t function.