Because my boss is demeaning when I ask questions

My boss has become demeaning when I ask questions related to my work. She is my direct supervisor on these projects and I need to maintain healthy/professional contact with her. At first, I shrugged these instances of her rolling her eyes or sighing to my questions. I finally spoke up two weeks ago letting her know it made me feel uncomfortable when she does that and I truly have questions that need to be answered. She said she is only pushing back to force me to think about what I’m asking to see if I know the answer. She also said I was being too sensitive. I told her anyone would feel this way when they are treated like this. She has now begun to challenge comments or questions I have as if she is trying to argue with me. She asks ‘why’ I’m asking. I explain and then she challenges the validity of my question. I answer her and she then begins to argue with me. I try to walk away and say nevermind I will figure it out…she comes back with another comment to try to keep the hostile conversation going. This all comes down to my conversation with her a few days ago. She wanted to talk with me about my unprofessional attitude and poor communication with the ‘team’. I asked for an example and she said I am not professional since I don’t say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. I am not part of the team because I do not communicate very well with everyone. I am supposed to come to work tomorrow with a game plan of how I can change my ways and act professional and integrate with the team. She is actually the one that is acting unprofessional towards me. I have been physically sick every morning for the past month due to anxiety of wondering if I will have to have another confrontation with her. This is not healthy for me and I need to quit but I also don’t want to loose any chances of unemployment benefits. What do I do?

Hi,

Follow the employer’s grievance procedure and go beyond her to the next level to try to reconcile your problem.