Q.    I am a MBA/Engineer with seven years of experience.  Presently I work for a multinational in Karachi and report to the CEO.  I joined this company in December 2007 and have found the CEO to be very humiliating towards the employees most of the time.  During meetings he makes statements like, “I do not care even if I fire all of you,” “You are the stupidest person I have ever met,” “You are talking absolute nonsense!” during such meeting, he even tore a letter and threw it at an employee just because he did not agree with the concept mentioned in it.  Once a colleague discussed this attitude with him, but he said that he could not change and would continue his behavior in the future as well. 
To handle this scenario I have firstly started applying for another job and as soon as I have a suitable offer I will switch.  Secondly, I am planning to discuss with the CEO that I feel offended by his attitude.  Please suggest whether it is okay to change a job after just four to six months, and secondly, what is the better strategy?

A.    People who cannot mange themselves should not mange others.  End of discussion, threats of physical harm, retribution and personal attacks are never acceptable, so never accept any type of abuse in the workplace.  If your boss has a difficult management style, then do not ignore this bad behaviour.  You must respond, do not let anyone make you their doormat and allow them to walk allover you, just remember to stay professional.  How? When your boss insults you or puts you down respond with something like, “I really want to work with you, but in what way does calling me an idiot solve the problem? I think there is a better way to deal with this.  “If you have made a mistake, acknowledge it, but let your boss know that he is creating a difficult work environment.  Even if you have not made a mistake, you may want to calmly ask what they are upset about and if you can address it.

 While job hunting, you will still have to explain why you are leaving so soon.  In your interviews avoid dramatizing your nightmare boss situation. One way to gracefully sidestep the issue is to say that you and your manger had longstanding disagreement over the most effective way of getting things done and you thought the most professional way to resolve it was to move on.  Never start recalling and recounting the abuse you suffered!  Employees have a right to be treated with respect and dignity in the workplace.  Like most bullies, many abusive mangers case and desist when faced with resistance.  But if they do not stop, then decide whether the pay cheque is worth the price of your self respect.