Taking liberties. Most people understand what this means – to behave in an unduly familiar manner. To show disrespect. In a profession environment, like a workplace, acting in such a way is unacceptable. This is particularly true if the behavior begins to create a toxic work environment.
So, what can you do? It might feel overwhelming, to take action against your boss. After all, they are in a position of authority and you are not. This doesn’t mean you should just roll over and accept their behavior. No, instead you should follow clearly defined steps, like those listed below.
Document Everything
First up, you need evidence. It is very unlikely that anything will change if you only say what you’ve experienced and/or witnessed. This is why you must document all incidents. Don’t just limit yourself to the date, time, and what happened – go further. Include who was there, who spoke, what was said, and any eyewitness statements you can get.
Where you save this information should also be considered. If you can, it is best to avoid using your work computer or email. Any evidence you gather should be saved on a personal device, away from work. Not only will this ensure you have access to it, but it will also prevent anyone else viewing and possibly deleting it.
Set Professional Boundaries
With everything documented, you have a safety net – and this means you can begin taking action. No, this doesn’t mean you should jump right in and demand your boss stop. You need to proceed in a calm and professional fashion. Acting spontaneously might come across as aggressive or argumentative, and this could exacerbate the situation.
Your first move should be to define your boundaries. If you receive calls or emails from your boss after hours, for instance, you need to politely – but firmly – communicate your availability. Do so by waiting until the next morning to respond; this sets a precent. You might also practice saying “no” and re-evaluating any personal favors you’ve been asked.
Have an Honest Conversation
If your boundaries are ignored, then things need to be taken further. You can continue to handle this by yourself for now, though – no need to consider legal challenges against employers just yet. The next logical step for you now would be to have a meeting with your boss.
In a scheduled private meeting, you must use “I” statements. You do not want to attack them, just focus on the impact of their actions on your work. So, avoid saying “You are working me too hard,” and instead say “I feel overwhelmed and cannot produce my best work when I am working over weekend.” This seems simple, but it really is effective.
Leverage Support Systems
Although you hope your previous steps will ease the situation, your boss might continue taking liberties. If so, you need to seek assistance from someone else. A good option is a HR representative. You can take your documented evidence to HR and raise a formal complaint against your boss. They will be able to help you do that.
Of course, it is advised to review company policies, too. You might be missing a key step or just need some proof that you are doing what you should. Your contract and the employee handbook will hold this information. Both will enable you to understand your rights.
To conclude, when a boss doesn’t show you respect or behaves overly familiar, you need to take action. Not only will this prevent hostility forming, but it will ensure you can do your job – and do it well. Fortunately, the above information will help you do just that.
