They say negative things about you to other employees - sometimes in a 'joking' way that is all too serious.ħ. They avoid you, and don't reply to your email and voicemail messages.Ħ. They invent infractions and missteps they swear you made, even when you're doing your job almost perfectly.ĥ. They cut you off from all communication with people outside the department - especially higher-level managers who might give you more praise and reinforcement than your boss wants you to have.Ĥ. They change your title and/or your pay to take away something you value (or they hope you value).ģ. They take away your best projects for no reason.Ģ. Here are ten unmistakable signs your boss wants you to quit:ġ. Why does Samantha deserve another week - much less months or years - of your time? Unless you know specifically what kind of prize you will get from outlasting Sam - and how long it will take you to get it - your best bet is to look beyond your workplace walls to the talent market outside. What is the benefit of 'waiting Sam out' to see whether she gets fired? How would that be a win for you? Are you sure that Sam's constant criticism and the title downgrade don't bother you? They would bother most people! If I were working for someone who picked at my work, put me down and downgraded my title I wouldn't be as carefree about the situation as you describe yourself to be. Many if not most working people let their fear of change keep them stuck in bad situations. That is a hopeless, fear-fueled approach to managing your career, if we can even call it managing.

I would never advise you to hang onto a job just for the sake of keeping the job for as long as you can. How long will it take you to accumulate the resume fodder, contacts, confidence and skills this job still offers you? It is important to have an 'end date' in mind. Make some assumptions based on what you know about the job and the organization so far. The question to ask yourself is 'What do I still want to accomplish, learn and experience at this job?' Is that the best use of your time and talent? It might be - or it might be a waste of your energy and such a stressful experience that you'd be better off going somewhere else and leaving poor fearful Sam behind you. She has made you the bad guy in her movie. I would help her but she doesn't want my advice.

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