From bad bosses to work-at-home scams

Eve Tahmincioglu • Profile • E-mail

Believe it or not, this year’s most popular "Your Career" columns weren’t all about the economy.

I received much reader feedback from columns on an eclectic mix of topics, everything from paid family leave to the dearth of women in technology.

Here’s an overview of columns that generated the most response in 2008, and some of your e-mails:

Bosses gone bad in a bad economy
With cutbacks in staffing and the constant drumbeat to perform, some bosses, typically those who already have some problems in the boss department, are yelling more, undermining their workers, and just being being downright rude.

The column prompted stories from many of you about your bad bosses and advice on how to deal with them:

Thank you so much for your story today about higher management and what no less qualifies as abuse and illegal behavior. Regardless of where you work (even like myself in the government system), this problem is astronomical especially in the wakes of hiring freezes and layoffs.
— Christi, Lakewood, Wash.

I note one of the seven tips for dealing with a mean boss is to try to keep up with his pace. I don't think this approach works. The bad boss continually ratchets up the workload and expectations. You can never catch up or keep up, even if you're working 24/7.

A better method is to take ownership of the pace — slow down, take a deep breath, ask for clarification and prioritization. Don't become angry or insubordinate — smile, say hello, allow yourself time to think and respond. These bosses love to catch people off-guard and put them on the defensive. You need to let the boss know by your calm demeanor that you will not be treated as an act in his three-ring circus.
— L.B.

My doctor at the Mayo Clinic told me I was working in a TOXIC work environment and should look to leave. This bastard screams at the people in the office continually all day, every day. I'm working on my resume, and getting help on finding a better job.
— Liz M., Arizona

Making the case for paid family leave
Among industrialized nations, the U.S. is one among only a handful of countries including Liberia, Papua New Guinea and Swaziland that don’t have federally mandated paid family leave.

While some states, including California, Washington and New Jersey, have implemented or are planning to implement this employee benefit, there is still a raging debate over whether employers should have to foot the bill.

President Barack Obama is a supporter of legislation to mandate family leave, but it’s unclear whether his administration will push such a benefit during a recession.

Reader reaction to this column was heated on both sides of the debate:

One of my biggest criticisms of the American workforce is how large companies are able to pay millions of dollars to CEO and senior level managers while their very own employees cannot have paid time off to create an environment for their kids and the future leaders of America. Will the corrupt leaders of our business world actually miss a couple of millions? I highly doubt it, given the amount of money that they pay in taxes anyway.

Not everyone is born in Camelot, and quite frankly, I wouldn't want to be. I would rather see my children grow up knowing that good things and bad things happen in this world and sometimes we have to adjust to the situation. Paid Family Leave makes real sense and has real results in our country.
— Robert B. Lister, Wildwood, Mo.

I own a small veterinary practice. Of my 14 employees, 12 are women of "child bearing" age, the others are older, with older parents. How can anyone expect that I could afford to pay them to be gone, especially if several were gone at once?

The big corporations can afford this sort of thing — their jobs can be shared, temps hired, etc. But a professional practice is a different animal entirely. You cannot (unless you are in a large metro area) find experienced veterinarians to fill in, not to mention the even more rare Technicians. Even receptionists cannot be up to speed in a short period of time.

Your "article" reads more like an editorial for a liberal/socialist newsletter than a serious effort at professional, unbiased reporting.
— David Menard, DVM, Eau Claire, Wis.

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