No employee wants to deal with a micromanaging boss in their work from home jobs.
Not only is it stressful to work with a micromanaging boss, but it stifles creativity and reduces employee morale.
According to Forbes, your boss’s tendency to micromanage stems from their fear of losing authority over their team. They want their subordinates to see them as knowledgeable in their fields and defer to them for support.
Aside from this, there’s also the lack of trust in their own team, especially in an online work from home setup.
So how do you handle a boss with micromanagement tendencies? Here are some tips that can help:
Establish Boundaries and Expectations With Your Boss
Setting clear boundaries and expectations with your micromanaging boss helps you define which tasks you can handle independently and which ones you need help with.
Doing this ensures you’re both on the same page regarding your responsibilities, reducing their need for constant oversight.
Remember to communicate that although you want more autonomy, you’re still open to receiving their guidance and feedback to improve your work.
Aside from clarifying your responsibilities, establish that it’s best to communicate with you within working hours – and not beyond them. Doing so helps preserve your work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Talk to Them Directly About Their Micromanaging Tendencies
Some bosses aren’t even aware that they tend to micromanage.
Thus, one way to handle a micromanaging boss is to raise the issue with them via a private meeting.
Be honest yet polite when explaining how their behavior affects your work. Avoid using the term “micromanaging;” instead, cite specific examples of their behavior.
Offer Alternatives
Immediately asking for more autonomy may not sit well with your boss, especially if they have difficulty delegating as it is.
Instead, offer practical alternatives.
For example, rather than requiring you to report daily, you can suggest conducting weekly reports. Don’t forget to provide concrete proof of how this alternative setup can be better for both of you.
Another alternative you can suggest is to focus more on the quality of your work rather than your process of getting results.
Build Trust With Your Boss
As mentioned above, one of the main reasons bosses micromanage is due to a lack of trust in their subordinates, especially if they’re working remotely.
Thus, the best way to make them stop is to prove yourself worthy of their trust.
You can do this by submitting quality work on time and anticipating their needs and assignments.
Additionally, you can also proactively submit regular updates on your progress so they don’t have to constantly monitor you.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
There are many apps you can use to demonstrate your productivity to your boss, even in a remote setup.
Project management apps like Trello and Monday.com track your tasks, their deadlines, and current progress.
These apps provide transparency and allow your boss to monitor your progress without constantly messaging you.
In Remote Staff’s case, we’ve partnered with Teramind to provide a reliable time-tracking system for our remote contractors.
Seek Other People’s Help
If your efforts to handle your micromanaging boss aren’t working, it’s time to seek help elsewhere.
First, seek advice from co-workers you trust regarding the situation. Ask for their feedback and for tips on how they handle working with your boss.
Otherwise, you can turn to your company’s Human Resources (HR) Department.
Remember to remain neutral when explaining your situation. After all, you’re here to improve your relationship with your boss, not strain it further.
So, Are You Finished Reading Yet?
Having a micromanaging boss can be a challenging and stressful experience.
Fortunately, you can deal with a micromanaging boss much more easily (and still keep your job) by following the tips mentioned above.
Still looking for work from home jobs? If so, Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list contains plenty of positions to choose from, ranging from online transcription jobs to online design jobs.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here. Good luck!
