Make Money Jobs & Careers

15 Biggest Red Flags Your Boss Doesn't Like You

These signs mean you should fix your relationship with the boss — or consider moving on.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Dec. 17, 2024

Is your boss tossing red flags in your direction?

Perhaps you worry that your job is in jeopardy because of the way the boss treats you. Or maybe you’re getting passed over for the best assignments.

Keep an eye out for the following signs that suggest the boss doesn’t like you. If you spot any of them, it might be time to try to mend your relationship or to look for another job that can help you build more wealth.

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Your warm relationship grows cold

If a warm relationship with your boss suddenly starts to cool off, it can be a bad sign that maybe the boss likes you less than before.

When this happens, the best approach might be to address any issues with the boss now before they get worse.

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You’re not in the loop

Another sign that the boss is not fond of you is when you are excluded from meetings or aren’t part of the decision-making process for projects or plans.

This can be a signal that your relationship with the boss is becoming frosty.

You are micromanaged

Nobody likes to be micromanaged. But the situation is especially bad if you are the only worker at your job receiving this treatment.

If the boss is constantly looking over your shoulder, it might indicate that confidence in your abilities is low.

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Your boss doesn’t trust you

Sometimes, a micromanaging boss is simply showing that they don’t trust you. A lack of trust is never a good sign in a relationship.

If the boss feels the need to check in on you all the time, consider it a red flag that something is wrong.

You don’t get feedback from the boss

If you worked hard on a major project but have received no feedback, it might be a bad sign.

In fact, no feedback can be its own type of decidedly negative feedback that reveals a lot about what your boss thinks of your work.

The boss constantly criticizes you

On the other hand, perhaps you get a steady stream of feedback, but all of it is clearly negative. This, too, probably reveals a lot about what your boss thinks of your work.

If your boss can’t even think of one positive or encouraging thing to say about your work, it might be time to rethink your position in your company.

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The boss has a talk with you

Communication is important, so it might seem like a positive sign if your boss invites you to a meeting to discuss your work or to talk about your future with the company.

But pay attention to how the conversation goes. If things quickly turn negative, it might be a sign that it is time to move along.

The boss takes credit for your work

It can be discouraging when the boss takes credit for the hard work you put in on a project or presentation.

If the boss is more than willing to push you out of the limelight and take credit for what you did, it can be a sign that the boss doesn’t have your best interests at heart, which could jeopardize your chance to build wealth.

You can’t get the boss’s attention

It’s not a good sign if your boss brushes you off every time you ask for some attention or some feedback on projects.

This can be a clear sign that the boss doesn’t care enough to take the time to address your needs and concerns.

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Your projects get reassigned

It’s never a comfortable feeling when you have a project pulled out from under you and assigned to someone else.

If the projects you start end up being handed to someone else to finish, it might mean you don’t have the boss’s full support.

You notice bad body language

Sometimes, it’s not words but actions that can tell you something is not right with your relationship with your boss.

Bosses who cross their arms in front of them defensively whenever they talk to you or who roll their eyes at your suggestions might be communicating some deeper dissatisfaction with your work.

The boss gives you short answers

Short answers — such as a simple “no” or “yes” — without explanation and encouragement can be signs that your boss doesn’t want to talk to you.

This is yet another red flag that suggests your relationship with the boss is not in a great place.

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You have a bad feeling something is amiss

Sometimes, a simple premonition can make you realize that something is off-kilter with you and your boss.

Trust your gut and look into why you may be feeling such negative vibes.

Your boss doesn’t seem to care about your career

Perhaps you want to move forward in your career and have subtly suggested to the boss that it might be time for a new role and more responsibilities.

How your boss reacts to your desire for a new challenge can reveal a lot. If the boss doesn’t seem to care about your ambitions, it might be a clear sign that it’s time to move on and find a new job.

The boss rejects your request for a raise

If you finally build up the courage to ask for a raise only to receive an answer of “no,” it might be a sign that the boss is not too fond of you or your performance.

If this happens, you might consider looking for a new job. Alternatively, you could develop a side hustle or find another way to make extra money while you wait to see if your boss’s attitude toward you will change over time.

Bottom line

Keep an eye out for the signs that your boss might not be thrilled with you or your work.

Recognizing these signs can spell the difference between having a successful career and watching your prospects sink.

If you spot these signs, talk to your boss and try to clear the air. If that doesn’t work, it might be time to find a new job that can advance your career and help you set yourself up for the future.

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