Your boss regularly berates you in department meetings, and the behavior is starting to become offensive to you. What should you do? Think before you act. John McKee, president of Four Windows No Walls Consulting in Sedalia, Colorado, said that although it is never acceptable for a boss to belittle employees, reacting emotionally could prompt you to do something you will regret. "The cold, hard truth is that psychotic bosses and psychotic organizations do exist," McKee said. "It's up to you to handle the situation professionally and with dignity." Why do some bosses behave this way? While it is possible that the boss just doesn't like you, it is more likely that the behavior has nothing to do with you or your performance.
See "The Work Place: Toxic bosses and how to handle them", Matt Villano, International Herald Tribune, March 25, 2007