So, my fiance entered into the “office” culture a little later in life, and therefore has more tolerance for what I consider blatant mistreatment. Maybe I just need to be checked, maybe the situation is just the standard and unfortunate experience of working for a narc boss. My worry is that fiance is being set up for termination in a way that will make it impossible to collect unemployment. He's obviously looking for other opportunities, but is there anything that can be done to protect him right now?
Background: Fiance works for engineering firm as an aide. Has worked there for five years, no problems, has had consistent good performance evaluations. Two years ago a new principle came in and fiance was placed into his team. Really quickly it was apparent this guy was a narc boss who has achieved his position on the back of others. Refuses to assign my fiance work, instead insists that he “anticipate the needs of the team” which when translated means essentially read his mind and don't ask questions. Despite this, fiance does actually meet the needs of the team, produces work and meets deadlines. None of that seems to matter to narc boss. He finds fault in everything – fiance is somehow not proactive enough while at the same time if he does work on a project without clear direction from boss, he is “stepping out of line”. Boss has also isolated fiance from the rest of the team, does not include him in emails, meetings, etc. but berates him for not “being on the loop.”
Obviously the answer is to leave this position. My concern is that this job is my fiance's first “career” job. I'm concerned he's going to walk away from this without any supervisor reference that he can trust and have to explain that during the job hunt, despite not done anything wrong. I don't have any experience in his field, plenty of experience in the corporate culture. I don't want him to be blacklisted because this one Jack*** decided he would make a good scapegoat.
Any suggestions? Again, he's actively searching for another position. Suggestions on surviving the interim or getting through the interview process without tipping his hand to this boss are appreciated .