11 Signs That Shows Your Boss Is Not Happy With You

Your boss can play a direct role in your happiness and success at work or your misery. When things are going well, you’ll experience career growth and fast work weeks. If your boss is not happy with you, you’ll experience Sunday scaries, work dread, and stagnant growth and pay raises. If you’re wondering which side your boss is currently falling into, we’ll explore the main signs your boss is not happy with you, so you can find a new role with a better boss.

Signs Your Boss Is Not Happy With You!

Here are some of them:

1. Your boss tells you you’re underperforming:

If your boss has directly told you you're underperforming, it's time to take action. Whether it's missed targets, a change in attitude, or decreased work ethic, your performance directly reflects your boss's leadership. Underperforming can lead to serious consequences, including job loss.

To avoid this, step up your game, learn new skills, and approach your work with a renewed focus.So if your boss tells you you’re underperforming, it’s time to step up your game in terms of producing better work, learning your skills more deeply, or making a change in how you approach your projects.

2. You stop getting feedback on your work:

It's a red flag. When your boss stops giving you feedback, it often means they've lost interest in your development.Feedback, even if it's tough to hear, is a sign of investment. It shows your boss cares about your growth and the team's success.

So, what can you do? Keep the conversation going. Seek feedback, even if it's uncomfortable. And most importantly, take action on the feedback you receive. It's the only way to improve and show your boss you're committed to your role.

3. You start getting set up to fail:

Feeling set up for failure? If your boss is constantly critical, negative, and seems to be nitpicking everything you do, it might be a sign they're intentionally trying to make you fail.This kind of negativity can be toxic.

It can erode your confidence, make you dread work, and even lead to physical problems like increased sick days. Over time, your performance will suffer.Great leaders don't use negativity to motivate. They build their teams up, not tear them down. Appreciation and positive reinforcement are key to success.

4. You start getting micromanaged:

Feeling micromanaged? Your boss might be losing trust in you. If they're constantly watching over your shoulder, it means they doubt your abilities. This can be frustrating, but it's a sign something's wrong. Talk to your boss to figure out what's going on and how you can improve.

5. Your boss reassigns your projects:

If your boss is constantly reassigning projects without giving you the full picture, it might be a sign they're intentionally setting you up for failure.

Instead of taking responsibility for their lack of leadership, they're blaming you. This is a classic tactic used by inexperienced or toxic bosses. A true leader takes ownership of the team's successes and failures. If you're facing this situation, it might be time to reconsider your role.

6. They disagree with you constantly:

It might be a sign your boss is not on the same page. When you and your boss constantly disagree, it can hinder the team's progress.Disagreement isn't always bad. Sometimes, you need to disagree and commit. But if your boss is unwilling to listen to your concerns, it might be a sign they're more focused on their ego than the team's success.

To protect yourself, document your ideas and concerns. This way, if things go wrong, you'll have evidence that you tried to prevent it.

7. Your boss has fewer 1:1s with you:

That might be a red flag. If your 1:1 meetings are becoming less frequent, it could mean your boss is losing interest in your development.

While there might be other reasons, like a larger workload, a significant change in your team size is usually a sign of a problem. Great bosses prioritize regular 1:1s to connect with their team, provide support, and ensure everyone is on track.If your boss isn't investing in your growth, it can negatively impact your morale and performance. It's important to address this issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

"A strong boss-employee relationship is the foundation of a successful team. It's like a partnership where trust, respect, and open communication are essential. When these elements are present, employees feel empowered, motivated, and more likely to go above and beyond." -- Sarah Johnson, HR Manager

8. You’re held back professionally:

If you're constantly being passed over for promotions and opportunities, it might be a sign your boss isn't fully invested in your career growth.

Some bosses might intentionally hold you back to force you to quit. Others might be afraid to give you honest feedback. A great boss wants to see you succeed. If you're feeling stagnant, it's time to have a candid conversation with your boss to understand why and what you can do to improve.

9. They constantly criticize you:

A good boss knows how to coach and motivate their team, not just criticize.Toxic bosses often use criticism to try and control their employees. They might try to change your personality to fit their mold, which is unfair and unproductive.

Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. A good boss will work with you to improve, not just criticize you. If your boss is constantly putting you down, it might be time to consider a change.

10. Your boss hides information from you:

If your boss is suddenly becoming secretive, hiding information, or engaging in shady behavior, it's a clear sign they're not happy with you.

A toxic boss might resort to unethical tactics to harm their employees. This could include deleting conversations, spreading rumors, or ignoring positive feedback. A healthy work environment is built on trust and transparency. If your boss is behaving suspiciously, it's time to take action.

11. Every conversation is put in writing:

When your boss starts putting all your conversations in writing, they’re trying to build a case against you. It’s a clear sign they’re not happy with you. They’ll start writing down in Slack messages things they talked about with you in meetings.

They might move all their conversations to Slack instead of video chats or in person conversations. They might ask people for feedback in Slack so they can screenshot conversations about you from other people’s perspectives. It can get really ugly when you have an unhappy boss.

So, what next?

That gnawing feeling in your gut? It might be your boss's dissatisfaction. Here's the deal: Sunday scaries, work dread, stagnant growth – these are all signs your current role isn't ideal.

But here's the good news: you can find a new job with a supportive boss while you're still employed. Landing a job while you have one offers a smoother transition, potentially better pay, and a happier work life. Ready to make a change?

Head over to Bulkapply.ai and build your resume with our AI tool. It's time to find your dream job (and boss!).