Boss tells my colleagues what mistakes I made... What to do?

Question

I work as a part-time receptionist in a small company, four more guys/gals working different shifts along with me.

And almost every time one of us makes a mistake, no matter whether it's serious or not, my boss (she's in her late 40's, I'm 24) has a tendency to discuss it with the other colleagues. Literaly, she would come up to me and say "You know what "person's name" did yesterday? He...." and so on.

I made a mistake yesterday, and I'm pretty sure evryone is already aware of my s***w up. It makes me really flustrated..

And I don't say anything to her, because she thinks that if she tells other people about someone's mistake, then others will be aware of it and won't make it anymore...

How do I handle this situation?

Answer 1

ask her not to do it - it's not professional and it's embarrasing

Answer 2

She sounds like a gossip queen who gets her kicks out of it.  I suggest you get more secure with your own work, realizing that everyone makes mistakes from time to time and also realize that your boss may be insecure with herself and that's why she has the need to cut other people down.

Try asking your other receptionists if they encounter the same complaints from her- you will at least have the peace of mind knowing that she does it to everyone.  It's almost impossible to change a boss's entire attitude, but if it bothers you that much, just try having a direct conversation with her.  Tell her you appreciate the constructive criticism but you'd prefer not to be used as an example of a s***w-up to others, that you think others can be reminded of procedures without attaching a mascot to a mistake.

Or the option to move on always exists.

Answer 3

Just say why no I don't know and since I am busy I don't have time to chat about it unless it concerns me

Answer 4

How weird, my sister just told me that she's experiencing the same thing. What she plans to do is make a formal complaint in writing and give the letter to her boss....just so she has a record of having done so. She would complain to her boss' supervisor but he's just as unprofessional. I don't know if you're willing to go this route but this situation is definitely something you should take to someone higher up than your boss. You can also bring it up with someone in the HR department if you have one. They can handle it in a confidential manner without bringing your name up, especially if others are just as frustrated. I wish you the best.