Insulted at work by an idiot manager

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I feel I'm being openly disrespected at work and there's not a d*mn thing I can do about it. Ever get into a position where you're working for a manager/supervisor/whatever that really has no idea how to do something, but they THINK they do?

I have a manager (a publisher, actually) who asked me a while back to help out with a magazine project, and since I was looking for a leg up in the company, I agreed to help. In fact, I was promised that if I 'did a good job' I would be given the project itself from then on. Since then, another designer managed to muscle her way in and took over. There's outsourcing going on in my company and since we're all fighting for a way to stay relevant in our particular industry, it's become very cut-throat at work.

Well, this certain manager disliked the ideas I had for page design on the last couple of magazine issues, but because another manager [Sales] agreed with me and even brought in another big gun from a sister company to convince this guy that my way was the 'right' way to put the magazine together, he's held it against me. This manager I work for aqcuiesced in regard to my proposed changes, but did so grudgingly. He also decided right then that he didn't like me and the feeling was mutual. [He probably disliked me even before that, but because I was recommended by another dept manager, he was sort of stuck with me].

I can't stand Type-A personalities (which this guy is) because I think they're loud-mouthed butt-kissers who will say and do just about anything to make themselves look good at the expense of other people. He's a controlling jerk who claims to be an expert in what he does but others (like me) feel he's utterly incompetent. Again, I repeat, we (the sales manager and I) had to bring in an expert from a sister publication in order to make this guy listen. He finally agreed to do things my way, but I could tell that he didn't like the idea of me making the design decisions (for what reason, I don't know). I think he dislikes me because I'm not an outgoing, in-your-face sh*t-talker like he is. That, and I've said openly to others that I think he's an idiot (yeah, that could have something to do with it).

HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND MAGAZINE DESIGN.

Somehow things went horribly wrong and I don't even know how it happened. He somehow managed to take away any say I had in the design process, giving it instead to another designer that he's worked with for about ten years. This designer is totally in love with white space and everything she does looks like boring newsprint. White space is what designers call the "layout style" of leaving a small amount of type on a wide-open page, whcih is supposed to draw the reader's eye to the type. Some designers take this to the extreme, forsaking color and making photos/artwork too small in an effort to create more white space. They tend to forget that readers pick up a magazine to look at the photos and read the stories. Instead, these people like to cut type (and tear the guts out of an article) in order to create more space for the blank whiteness behind it. It's complicated, but let me just say that too much of it is a bad thing...

Anyhow...a month or two later...

Instead of my being vindicated, I found myself shut out of the main part of the design decisions. I dealt with it, figuring that this clown of a manager got his way. It happens. I get slighted from time to time. That's the way life is. But now it's become personal.

This past week I'd spent four days solid working on my section of the mag that only to find out yesterday that this same Sh*t-head manager tore my design apart (the day before it was supposed to go to press) and had his 'pet' designer re-do the entire 23-page section the way HE wanted it! Then hhis pet designer calls me up and says, "He [the manager] made some changes to your section, so don't get mad when you see it." She was apologetic and she even told me that if he'd done that to her, she'd have quit.

Oh yeah. I saw it. And I was unbelievably pissed off. He completely redesigned it. Did away with my entire color scheme, shrunk my photos and rearranged EVERYTHING. I might as well not have done anything in the entire magazine!

I wanted to quit right then and there. I almost went into a meltdown because of it and had to take a three-hour lunch to calm down. I punched the wall outside and I think I fractured my hand.

This guy is an idiot who doesn't trust his employees. He's a lower level publisher (essentially middle management) and thnks he's a designer. The magazine looks like total crap now. Sales is unhappy with it and I'm almost positive that advertisers are going to drop out of it, then corporate will kill the publication. Just as well, since they're chopping the heads of middle management these days in my company. it wouldn't be so bad except that if this magazine fails, several innocent people are going to be out of a job - all because of an incompetent manager. I HOPE he's going next. I can't STAND him and I think he SUCKS as a supervisor and has no clue about how to put togther a magazine. He's so myopic and ignorant that because of his colossal ego, three more people will be out there looking for jobs where none currently exist.

Middle-management types like this guy deserve to be roasted over an open fire. I'm in a relatively safe position because since he cut me back on how much I contribute to the magazine, I've been doing flash web ads instead. I managed to find a niche there and the majority of the web stuff is coming to me. They're not (as far as I know) going to lay off the web designers. Meanwhile, though, I'm STILL pissed off over what he did. How can people be so stupid? It's the next day and I'm still fuming over this. I want to quit over it. Not a good idea, since graphic design jobs are very, very hard to find these days. I'm hoping this will pass. Still, he treated me this way long before I ever called him an idiot to anyone else. I know he resented the fact that I was behind the big-gun designer coming to our podunk office and educating him on what a magazine 'should' look like. Well, he eventually got his way. I just hope corporate doesn't punish the other people involved because of this guy's incompetence.

I hate working for bosses like that. I hope the web work keeps you where you want to be, but you probably should update your resume and references and start a job search. There could be a kindred spirit out there looking for someone like you. And if you find another job but this one improves enough, you can always stay put. It's just good to give yourself options.

Thanks for your reply to my rant [sometimes I just have to vent]. I've been updating my resume this morning and am surfing the net looking for other design jobs. They're so difficult to find, especially when I don't have a degree in my chosen field. (It's a long story, but basically I worked my way up into graphics design, sidestepping the need for a degree). I suppose that when one has to mentally force themselves to go in to work on Monday, it's time to look for something else. Unfortunately, I'm in a dying industry and I have to go back to college at 41 to learn more about web design in order to remain competitive.

I've even been looking for clerical jobs, but there's nothing out there that pays anywhere close to what I'm currently making with this company. There are better design jobs out there, but I'd be competing with an untold number of twenty-five-year-olds armed with MFA design degrees. Basically, when you're 41, contemplating a career change is insane. Either I sacrifice my rate of pay, or I sacrifice happiness. Not a good position to be in.

He did WHAT?! (ouch) That boss of your's is a complete A-hole! So you called him an idiot (which he clearly is and them some), that still gives him no right to basicaly @$% on your hard work and reputation... I would be furious if someone did that to me. To be told to do a job by the same boss, only so he could get stupid and suddenly have someone else change it entirely. That is dumb. If he wanted them to do it, he should have given them the task first hand.

Last edited by LiendaBalla on 19 Jul 2008, 11:18 am, edited 1 time in total.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I'm still smoldering over this one. I'm the kind of person who usually keeps my mouth shut and 'deals' with adversity, but I really, really want to take this to upper management to complain, but I don't know how to go about it. Due to my Aspie nature, I dislike confrontation of any sort, so when it comes to things like this I usually end up crying and babbling about how I got screwed. Then things spiral downward from there. This guy's been with the company for a long time and because of that, I'm about 99.999% sure that no one will listen to me, and breaking down into tears won't help. I guess it's pointless.

I think that's a hint right there. They are trying to get you to quit. Personally, I would be more determined to stay because of that. Take notes, gather evidence. Eventually they will slip up.

You may be right. I hadn't looked at it quite that way. I figured something was up, but didn't know what or why. This makes sense. If I'm gone, that creates an avenue for the 'pet designer' to take over my other duties as well, cementing her position in the company. I'm horrible at picking up on things like this, which is probably why I didn't notice them trying to edge me out little by little as time went on. Thank you for pointing this out...

I think you're missing the bigger point here.. this is an excellent way to get fired. You absolutely cannot trump your boss and expect to continue to work for him.

The only time it is acceptable to trump your boss is when you have another person angling to hire you or take you in to their department.

You may be right, but that point is totally irrelevant.

Ah, the world of design. Big ME TOO at you.

Remember the first and only ironclad rule of design work: Everyone is a designer.

I've found the best revenge is to simply let go of your attachment to any given design. So what if some hack changes it? Have a cigarette, come back, and do something selfish for yourself for fifteen minutes. Then look around you and figure out ways to psychologically undercut her, like being extra nice to everyone else.

Remember, if you are perceived as being on two opposing sides, and you can make yourself out to be really really good and patient and understanding, then she will be perceived as the opposites of all those things.

Don't criticize her openly. Say, "Oh, I see where she's coming from, even if I don't agree with her 100%. I just feel sorry for her since she's obviously been under so much stress lately."

See how that works?

Well its not very honest, but I'd ask my friends to call and write latter, saying they buy the magazine but are considering stopping because the pages are very difficult to read and the pictures nearly impossible to see. And also have a few specifically mention aspects of your design when stating suggested improvements

Good point, but I just turned in my notice today. I can't work for this guy and I won't waste another day on a sinking ship. They're going to shut our department down by next year, anyway. There's only so much B.S. and doom & gloom I can take. Enough is (or was) enough. I already have another interview lined up. But thanks for your reply.

Another idea (thats probably better than the route I'd take ) is to go up to this "pet" designer and thank her for all the changes she made. Tell her how grateful you are for help.

Just try to sound sincere while your doing it. If they are doing this to get you to quit or just out of being a jerk this will definately throw a wrench to them. And regardless you will be putting yourself in a better light. Not just for them but for others in the company who are seeing whats going on

Ain't THAT the truth...



Agreed. Normally I do this, but not anymore. I'd rather go back to scratching up freelance than spend any more time working for this clown in any way, shape or form. I've eaten too many 'proverbial' sh*t sandwiches like this for far too many years. I don't have to do so any longer. I'm a business professional, not a waste dump for work other people don't want to do. No more. I declare independence.



Oh, I know this. I know how do butter up the bosses and say everything they want to hear, but I'm tired of it. Essentially, I was being 'forced to quit,' which I found out for certain today by another manager, after I turned in my notice. I may be out of a job in a couple of weeks (unless this interview I have scheduled for Thursday works out], but at least I still have my principles.

Don't get me wrong - I appreciate all th advice, I really do. However, I've been doing this for a long time (a decade and a half, for different companies) and despite my current ire at this gentleman, I usually bite my lip and say nothing. This time I just couldn't. I was losing sleep over it, and this isn't the first time this kind of thing happened. I've been walked on by bosses for years and years and finally the day came when I decided I wasn't going tobe a doormat any longer. When I turned in my notice today, I felt like a 10,000 Lb weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Yes, artistic types can be temperamental (and I know I have been in the past), but sometimes you just have to do what's good for you, no matter how crazy it might be. I've never done anything like this before but it does feel good to stand up for myself for the first time in my life - even if I bawled like a baby at the time.

Actually,I already did that today. My problem was never with her, actually. She was just doing her job, as I've always done mine.



They succeeded, but I also found out that they're forcing my entire department to quit, not just me. The publication I work for is being cut back and moved elsewhere by next year, and they're trying to get away with paying as few severance packages as possible. But that's the way of things. Corporate greed will always take precedence over the lowly employee every time. It was a lose/lose situation and I'm glad I'm shed of it.