Haven't had much work experience but my experience so far, as a corps member has given me a taste of what working under a toxic boss is all about. The harm it does to one's mental health, the emotional and physical drills are just much.
It all started when I got posted to Metropolitan International College, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. At first, as someone that has no idea of the place (it was my first time in the state), I called Mr. Oguntuase — the proprietor, and told him I am a corps member posted to his school. He sounded so caring and considerate, as he gave all the info I asked for gently and told me to come meet him in school the next day.
On getting to school the next day, he told me the number of subjects — of which I tried rejecting, but he instead. Then I told him that if I would be taking two subjects, then I wouldn't be writing lesson notes on one, and he agreed. Then took my letter and accepted me. However, before meeting him, I had met other corps members already serving in the school.
They had a lot to say about him. His attitude towards his employees, his method of payment, and his affinity for quarrels. A lot was said about him. I was surprised because he never looked nor talked like one.
It was the first day of resumption that he showed his real personality. The way he was addressing the teachers, his tune and some new laws he was introducing for the new term.
Knowing that at the first week of every month that the corps members would be needing their clearance letter from him, he often looks for ways to start up quarrels with us, just to delay our clearance. I got a taste of the 'national cake' in the month of November, when he refused to give me a clearance letter, simply because I couldn't meet his deadlines. I explained the reasons why I failed to him but he wasn't just buying in. So we just have to do it the hard way.
Afterwards, a lot changed with the way we communicate. Fast forward to the exam period, he made a law that we teachers shouldn't make use of our phones in his hall. One morning after the assembly, he came into the hall and saw us using our phones, he started cursing us. That it shall never be well with anyone making use of their phone in his hall. I was speechless. It was very annoying. Like, the students have not started exams. But he never saw it that way.
He often delays payments. During my convocation, I took permission from him and followed the necessary procedures, before traveling for my convocation. I stayed about a week, on getting back, he deducted the amount equivalent to the one week I wasn't in school. He paid us for November, on 16th of December and that was it.
A lot to write about him. And the toxic environment in his school. He literally sees his employees as slaves. And would never be happy when he sees you resting or doing anything else that's not school-related, no matter the time, be it break period or anything.
Thankfully, something came up that led to NYSC withdrawing those that couldn't stay in his school. And certainly, I was among those that changed my PPA. My new PPA is just the working environment that fits into my personality. I am so happy currently, at least, my mental health is at its ground state.
My experience with him convinced me never to stay back in the state. Before coming, I had the impression of starting up life here but it's a no no for me now.
Horrible or toxic bosses are modern slave masters to their employees.
