I’m dealing with a similar situation. I’ve been in a mid-level HR role at my company for about a year and a half, and my direct leader continues to be rude, micromanaging, vindictive, and highly political.

6 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 6,2026 at 5:39PM UTC

   I have gone through the exact same thing at work. I am actually starting at a new company soon due to this. You have no control over other people, the only thing you have control over is your reaction to them. You never know, someone may have treated her the exact same way in the past and she is mirroring the learned behavior. Hurt people hurt people. She may just be pushing everyone away because she is overwhelmed or does not feel safe. You need any environment where you can bloom where you are planted. You take yourself with yourself each place you go.

2. AnonymousFebruary 6,2026 at 10:18PM UTC

   As the sole income earner for my family let me tell you something - I have been in several toxic environments and if my husband had been able to handle the finances on his own I would have felt so much more free.

   This is my philosophy, and I know not everyone agrees, but I genuinely feel like careers (especially working for other people) is just a means to an end. Corporate culture across the board is inefficient, political, and ridiculous at many organizations. Layoffs are out of control. The employment culture has gone from staying somewhere for 40 years to cycling every 3 because many companies genuinely do not care that much about employees. It's just the way it is.

   If it's impacting your relationship with your husband and children and you CAN get out without causing major financial issues for your household, I would do it. My mom was always stressed at work and it impacted our relationship, and tbh it's still damaged 30 years later.

   You are replaceable at work, but not at home.

   It's really unfair that you are going through this but sadly, this is becoming status quo. If I could go back knowing what I know now I would have tried to start my own business before having my children. I wish I could leave them something like that instead of feeling like my efforts are used to enrich these companies that have treated myself and my colleagues in such an unprofessional and degrading manner.

   That's just my 2 cents. I really hope things work out for you, friend. They are not going to stop this behavior until we all start standing up against it.

3. AnonymousFebruary 12,2026 at 3:11PM UTC

   Time to leave, unless you think you have enough evidence for a lawsuit ?

4. Marie GumpelFebruary 13,2026 at 3:36PM UTC

   you are always going to run into some NARCISSTIC queen bees at work take them with a grain of salt ..carry on with your work..and look for a new job ..if the toxic culture is not working for you. and find a place that values you..

5. AnonymousFebruary 20,2026 at 3:39PM UTC

   Not sure what you mean by “political.”

   Personally, I work for a large employer that has been contracted to support employees and household family members of over 300 federal agencies, including I.C.E.

   I am politically conservative, most of my colleagues are the opposite. For the most part, I believe one’s political leanings should be left OUTSIDE the workplace.

   If you’re considering legal action against your current employer, please know that most cases your allegations against an employer may be very difficult to PROVE. You may need to decide whether you not only have enough $ to pay an attorney but will you have enough energy to fight what could be a long, drawn out fight.

   If you haven’t already, you may want check out:

   workplacebullying.org

6. AnonymousFebruary 22,2026 at 1:17PM UTC

   Sadly companies find it easier to protect toxic leaders. I had a boss like that and knew that both the executive team and HR had several complaints against her. I was lucky that we were not in this awful job market though and had a company reach out to me via LinkedIn and it ended up being a great move.