I’ve been at this job at a small company for 2 months. It is my first full-time job out of college so I can’t quit because I really need a year of experience in this field on my resume. And I love my co-workers/supervisor/manager of the department, and the pay is good.
But the owner (and self-proclaimed “CEO” even though there is no board) is really toxic—to women especially. When you’re speaking with her outside of work topics, she seems nice. But at work, she’s always raising her voice at someone, or butting into things she doesn’t have knowledge of.
My supervisor is out this week so I’m kind of holding down the fort. And I noticed I was met by the CEO with hostility and questioning today. And when I briefly informed the team on something they wanted to know, she questioned my wording in a very blunt way, barely a sentence, and didn’t respond when I clarified/apologized for any confusion. It made me feel bad that she seems to get confused on the way I word things, even though I try my best to keep it simple but detailed to answer follow up questions before they are asked. Basically, she never gives a thank you and only gives criticism. Which is a huge trigger for me because my family is like that. She’s essentially like Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) in the devil wears Prada, and I’m like Andy (Anne Hathaway). Or when she asks the chat something and I’m the first to respond, no thank you or even emoji reaction at all. For context, I jumped in right away to this job, I work super hard, and I am friendly and go above and beyond.
I am nice and tend to be an easy target for people like this. Someone in the office said that it’s a “new record” that no one has quit or gotten fired in 7 months. Which is a concern, obviously. But I just wonder why she’s so tough on me. And tomorrow I’ll be at a meeting with execs without my manager there and I’m terrified of the inevitable questioning and criticism. All day I’m trying to kiss her ass.
I know that the answer is quit but I can’t for a year (and there are many pros to the job) so I’m just seeking support/advice and also happy to hear horror stories.