Marketing intern sparks office debate after being told not to ask questions even when instructions are incomplete: 'Red flags galore!'

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  • A young intern sits at a table with a laptop in front of her as her manager looks over her shoulder.
  • I recently started an internship in a marketing team. Early on, my manager has been very critical and intense in how he treats me.
  • He frequently questions whether I belong in this role and emphasizes that I should be grateful for the opportunity and have the "right attitude." Some things that keep happening: He often criticizes or questions me in front of others, implying I'm idle, slow, or not suited for this type of work. *
  • * If he sees me briefly on my phone (even right after I arrive in the morning or after completing tasks), he assumes I have nothing to do and says things like "If you have no work, tell me." * He repeatedly says that work I'm assigned could be done faster by
  • In some cases, he has even said he could just put it into himself instead of asking me to do it, which makes me feel like my role is unnecessary.
  • An intern looks over her notes as her manager hovers over her shoulder.
  • * At the same time, he still assigns me tasks that involve using preparing or materials, and later comments on the output.
  • * He discourages asking questions and says I should "figure things out myself," even when I wasn't given correct or complete information initially.
  • * When I showed visible stress or discomfort due to a health issue, he told me to stop because it looked bad on him.
  • * He keeps emphasizing that this experience is very important and implies that if I don't come in more days or constantly push myself, I won't learn anything.
  • * However, occasionally he would send private text messages like my work was "fine" or "good".
  • The overall effect is that I feel constantly watched and anxious. I feel pressure to always look busy, never ask questions, never rest briefly, and never show stress or discomfort.
  • I've started to feel genuine fear when he is around, and I sometimes dread going into the office.
  • An intern listens as her manager leads a meeting.
  • I'm trying to understand whether: * This is normal behavior in high- pressure work environments * This reflects poor management * Or if I'm overreacting and missing something Any outside perspectives would be appreciated.
  • circio They're trying to take advantage of you doing a good job by manipulating you into thinking you're on thin ice and need to do more. It's classic bad management behavior, so you never realize you're probably doing well and will never ask for more. I would start looking for a new job while you have this one, because it hardly ever gets better, and usually gets worse. Especially if you start doing even better. They'll feel insecure and try to keep you down even more, because they see your com
  • Delicious-Expert-180 Original Poster's Reply What do you recommend I do?
  • circio Unfortunately I think you need to look for a new job while you work your current one. It's a tough market right now, so it's better to start while you aren't in a position where you desperately need one. I think you mentioned it's an internship, will you have to be there very long? As for your boss, try to keep things professional and document as much of your communication as you can. Try asking questions over email, and if you need to ask again, make sure it's also documented through ema
  • Delicious-Expert-180 Original Poster's Reply In this company everyone seemed to be too scared to say anything, it's very hierarchial
  • LordofMylar Toxic and manipulative management. Red Flags galore.
  • An intern listens as her manager leads a meeting.
  • DangerzonePlane8 Thats gas lighting I'm sorry your dealing with that at work
  • ZeldyButt Report your boss for workplace harassment around the same time you leave for a new job. Hr will know you left bc of them
  • chumpandchive what they say to you around others is the truth. private words mean less than nothing

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