Whenever a manager comes across a troubling employee in the company, perhaps due to conflicts with other colleagues, poor work performance or any matter that could affect the company business, he or she will make it evident that they would like said employee to leave.

There are two practical ways that an exit from the company can be arranged by the boss, which are:

• He or she takes the direct approach, firing the employee as soon as possible.
• He or she opts for the passive-aggressive approach where they subtly make you feel unwelcome or pile up an unreasonable amount of work that the employee eventually decides to call it quits.

If you suspect that your manager wants you to resign, they may display certain behaviours towards you such as:

1. Overworking you

Do all the major projects and assignments seem to land on top of your lap while your colleagues are stuck with minor and easy tasks instead?

To apply further pressure, your boss gives you tight or unreasonable deadlines, which pushes your stress levels even higher.

Even if you adapt to the ridiculous work demands, all you get in return is an exhausted state of mind and body.

2. Providing you with limited resources

Your boss makes it harder for you to accomplish your tasks effectively and efficiently.

Even if you try to address your concerns regarding the lack of resources, your pleas will just be swept aside as he or she will berate you for giving excuses.

3. Letting you solve problems on your own

You seek advice from your manager regarding a problem. However, your manager directs the problem back to you by stating that an employee only presents a solution, not a problem.

The truth is, managers are supposed to provide assistance especially when an employee cannot make progress with their work.

But if your manager directs you to come up with a few solutions on your own, chances are that none of the solutions you proposed is the right solution.

4. Assigning tasks that do not fit your job scope

There are two types of unreasonable tasks that can be assigned to you; an unchallenging job that does not fit your current skill level or a far-too-difficult project that will not guarantee success.

While it’s normal to be tasked with jobs that are under your skill level, getting stuck with mediocre work can be boring and limit your learning opportunities.

5. Giving you the cold shoulder

When you are trying to engage with your boss, he or she tries to avoid you by answering phone calls, texting or even avoiding eye contact.

The conversation will also be rushed or ended abruptly, usually with them giving a short or brief response to every question you ask.

6. Removing small talk out of the equation

Your manager made it clear to you that you are just there to work. All unnecessary conversation between you and your boss has been entirely cut out.

Most of the engagements would most probably be limited to email or quick phone calls only.

Chances are your co-workers may take note of that and stop talking to you too, leaving you in almost complete isolation at the office.

7. Excluding acknowledgements

There is nothing worse than feeling unseen and unheard because your boss just wants to make you feel unwanted and excluded.

You might notice that your boss is actively taking away all the credit for your work and present them as his or her own, or somebody else’s.

To add salt to the wound, all your achievements will be downplayed.

8. Making it clear that there is no room for advancement

Nobody wants a dead-end job, but if your manager bypasses you for promotions in the company for reasons unstated, he or she clearly wants you out of the company.

Even failing to give new responsibilities and training can deter employees from feeling like they are advancing in their careers.

However, it is important to understand the difference between being disliked by your boss and being a low-performing employee.

If he or she does engage in one of these tactics to get rid of you, remember to restrain yourself from making any rash decisions such as rage-quitting your job on the spot.

If you wish to stay on, it is best to stand your ground and reach out to HR or upper management to resolve these issues.

The alternative is to start your job search now, clean up your resume and refine your interview skills.

This article first appeared in jobstore.com

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