I Think My Boss Hates Me

[Treacle71]

I am covering for a woman who has gone on long term sick leave and who is much older than me. This is the first time she has been off work for years and years. I am 'holding the fort' until her return. She has been on leave now for 8 months. He gives out banter to me and I give it back equally. However, since Christmas, he doesn't even acknowledge my presence and ignores me. He even emailed the off sick woman wishing her a happy Christmas and I didn’t get a thing from him, not even a Happy New Year, let alone anything for Christmas. He even went up to another secretary’s desk with paperwork, who isn’t even his secretary. He gave me some typing to do and I told him, “I don’t bite” and she just smiled and walked off.
What have I done wrong?

[Redhelen72]

Perhaps he has picked up on the negativity within the team between you and your other colleagues.

You can either put up with it or challenge him over it.

[Canary42]

How can anyone here answer that ?

[Tilly2]

Try asking him, Treacle.

[carrot99]

I wonder if he may have found some of your banter disrespectful. For example telling him you don't bite in front of other employees is rude as you're calling him cowardly. It's a temporary job so just be pleasant as you'll be wanting a reference from him in the future.

[Treacle71]

Good point, carrot99, but I didn't take to his banter either. The reference will come from another boss and not him, btw. Thank you.

[andy-hughes]

If your job is temporary, I wouldn;t bother over-thinking the machinations of office politics, which occur in every office I have ever worked in - dozens of them over forty-four years of office working.

Do your job, come home, forget about it. Life's too short.

[Redhelen72]

Is this the same office as all your previous issues with the temps that left and the typing pool?

[Treacle71]

Yes, redhelen72.

[Redhelen72]

ahh

[barry1010]

You need to find another job, it is clear you are unhappy in your workplace.
I never expected, nor got, anything for Christmas from my bosses.

[lankeela]

I have a feeling you will find fault with whoever you work with - try keeping your head down and your gob shut and just do what you are paid to do and you might get along a lot better. Be thankful you have a job.

[Hazlinny]

I think you read too much into what your boss does and what he doesn't - you seem to get too uptight if things don't go your way.

[Canary42]

What happened at the Xmas Office Party ?

Or don't you remember, LOL

[Treacle71]

We never got one, Canary42. :-(

[barry1010]

Would you have gone if a party was put on?

[Treacle71]

No, because the people need to loosen up, barry1010.

[Tilly2]

I think it's actually you that needs to loosen up, Treacle.

[Treacle71]

Thanks guys for your answers, especially andy-hughes.