Boss said something cruel

She said she prefers people who don't need the job working for her, like a rehired coworker and my current coworker. She knows I'm on disability. I want to file a complaint I'm totally discriminated against.

I have been there. I understand your pain. I was discriminated like you when I disclosed my illness to my fellow students and professors. I was called, "Hannibal Lecter" by some. I was really ill at the time but the taunts and name- calling left me scarred. I never worked in the field I majored because of this experience.


Now, I am doing well and do not disclose my illness to anybody who works with me or my boss. I feel this is best for me. I don't need accommodations for my job. I have bad days still but this is mainly due to not taking my medication. I believe, you need your job to make ends meet. Therefore, it would not be wise to antagonize your boss by saying anything about her taunts. I would keep quiet to keep your job unless you have another one to replace it. I know this sounds awful on your part, but the reality is that it is hard to find work now for people like us.


If there is a Human Resources Department at your place of work where you could complain about her taunts, then this could be a place where you can complain. However, the result of your complaint about her may cause you to lose your job which at this point is not worth it. I would do your best to find an outlet for your complaints, such as a therapist and this website. I really wish you the best and hope that you can endure the unendurable as long as you need this job.

Let’s laugh at your boss’ comment by looking at how silly it was. Why would someone work the job who didn’t need the job? You are taking it as cruelly directed at you, but it was really dumb of your boss to even think. There are two other employees who don’t need the job? Why are they working? Heck, you could have come back with a quick, “Do you need this job, boss?”

you can try to file a complaint but under what grounds? because you need a job? that isn't really a cause for discrimination. boss can say stupid things like this, shows they are just a jerk..but as far as a case based on that comment, I don't see it. if it was something based on race, sex, disability...yea, but because you need to work, no.

in a perfect world none of us would have to work, we would only if we wanted to...but it's not perfect out there. I as a boss may only want employees over 6' but not everyone over 6' is qualified..some short folks are and they get hired. you got hired for your position because you are qualified. revel in that..

if she fires you and says the reason is because you needed to work..well then let the games begin. you own him.

good luck. remember...you got hired because you were proficient.

It’s so ridiculous. Who works if they don’t need to? I love my job but if I didn’t need it, I’d not work. I’d likely just volunteer. She prefers people who don’t need a job, what a stupid comment.

I agree it is a stupid comment, although it doesn’t sound like something you could file a complaint about. I guess I’d just try and forget about it.

sometimes people do work even if they don't financially need to....believe it or not, people do enjoy work..be it the satisfaction of completing a task, being social or earning a small amount of money. and then there are those who volunteer at many workplaces such as national parks, shelters, schools etc...which is basically doing a job, but in a non-pay status.

I have volunteered in places for positions that do not fall under my work position to gain experience, and I currently volunteer as a therapy dog handler. been on disability for many many years...and after starting my own business , I just recently went back to work since I moved. some would say I technically don't need to work since I get disability...and I would say to them to mind their own frigging business.

These types of managers are the reason why most employees nowadays quit. It will be good if you will actually tell the management about it so that her bad attitude will be corrected.

Remember the saying "Hurting people hurt people." It is difficult when a boss says something that is cold, cruel, and callous. We look up to the boss and desire/need them to approve of us. These types of comments from an authority figure can trigger those of us who have had trauma along with those who have not. We are hard-wired as humans to please those who have power over us and can effect our survival (pay-check).

I encourage you to elevate yourself emotionally and become consciously aware of your boss as being "just another person." We never know what others are thinking or going through. We only know how their words and actions impact us. You do not have control over what the boss says or does unless you decide to fight them through HR or other legal avenues. However, you DO have control over your own emotional response. Here are a few suggestions that may help:

1. Visualize the boss as they would look when they were a child. If you can, ask if you can see a picture of them at a younger age. People like to talk about themselves more than anything else. If you take an interest if the boss as being just another human, that can open up communication channels.


2. Replay/Re-Do ... Go to a safe place in your living space and get comfortable. Mentally recall the cruel event and the words. Make yourself remember them clearly.
Now, allow yourself to feel all the emotions those words bring up inside of you. If you need to, punch a pillow while visualizing the boss and feeling the anger. Next, you will find your own power with your words. Holding that scene in mind, speak back to your boss and say all the things you need to say about the subject. Do this mentally until you feel like you have been heard.

3. The next time a situation like this comes up, calmly restate what you heard back to the boss. Example: "Correct me if I am wrong, but what I heard you say just now was that you do not want me around because I need this job. Is that how you honestly feel? Or did I misunderstand you?"

Jobs are not easy to get... or keep. People are going to act like people in all of them. We can't control the "smaller" jabs people make at us in everyday life. But we can control how those jabs impact us emotionally. I hope this helps.

I agree with most of it. Good point about asking for clarifications. Saying that, I’d certainly not be asking bosses to show me their childhood pictures. I am on good friendly terms whth my boss but I can’t imagine in the wildest dream asking to see her baby pics or any pics. She’d think I lost my mind.