How Bad Is Your Boss?

I remember the worst boss I ever had for any length of time. He was editor-in-chief of my old interior design magazine, and he was nuts.

When it was time for him to edit each issue, the entire editorial team had to gather around the computer and read the stories to him aloud. When he needed to write his letter from the editor, he would make up fantasies about a piece of fabric and ask me to write it as the truth and in his name. When I told him I needed a raise, he offered to let me use his Saks card. He couldn’t fathom I needed the money to make my rent.

And his craziness didn’t stop there. He would just dial people’s phone numbers on the fax machine and scream at it, “I’m faxing you.” And then when it wouldn’t go through, he would just give up, instead of calling the people for their fax numbers.

I bet you’re wondering, “How did this guy keep his job?” Well, his stepfather was very wealthy and funded the magazine for him. After I was long gone, it eventually went under.

Everyone has a bad boss at one time or another. And some are profiting from it with Working America’s My Bad Boss Contest. You can vote on the semifinalists here. (Hurry! Voting closes tomorrow.) You can also take the How Bad Is Your Boss? quiz.

So tell us your bad boss stories below, and check out these resources for help on handling and avoiding toxic bosses:

• “Neutralize Your Toxic Boss”
• “Ten Warning Signs of a Toxic Boss”
• “Stop Toxic Managers Before They Stop You”
• “When the New Boss Is Hell on Wheels”
• “What to Do If Your Boss Is Incompetent”

From the Monster Blog:

• “How Much Bad Behavior Is Enough?”
• “‘The Devil Wears Prada’: Bad Boss Up for Best Actress Oscar”
• “Is Your Boss Toxic?”

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