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Toxic boss problems

Bear in mind that 90 per cent of the time if you take your boss on, you will lose. The reason is companies rely on you to work as part of a team. The boss has been selected as a leader, so if you are not following the leader, it is you who is perceived as not being able to work with the team.

So if you have a personality conflict with the boss or a difference of opinion, it’s better to look for another boss. Whatever you do, be sure to appear as team-oriented and co-operative as possible until you stop working for your boss.

That said, there are times when a boss does not rule supreme. Where the boss is doing something that is illegal or against company policy, a complaint can be effective.

Obvious illegal activity includes the sexual or racial harassment of you or of anyone else, misuse of company time or funds, discrimination and any other illegal or unethical conduct. If your boss’s conduct towards you is actually against the law you are can also take matters further by taking your case to an employment tribunal.

Before you get that far, it’s best to look in your company handbook and follow the grievance procedure it outlines. It’s a good idea to make sure that you have evidence to back up your complaint, because your own motives are bound to be looked into, as well as your boss’s conduct.

In some organisations, the boss will be removed if there are so many complaints that the boss can no longer be an effective leader. But don’t let this be an excuse for starting a mutiny. This tends to be exhausting and ineffective.

If your boss is extremely abusive, for instance, go to your human resources department once you have some evidence. The more extreme and more abundant the evidence, the more likely the boss will be investigated and the situation dealt with. Again, in any investigation, your own motives will be scrutinised.

So if you simply hate your boss's personality, it might just be easier to move to another job.

Live Q&A on Ask The Expert
Employment lawyer Rachel Lewis advises on your work-related issues