Is My Boss Gaslighting Me Quiz

Having a boss who dismisses, belittles, or outright denies your reality can be an incredibly invalidating and demoralizing experience. 

You may find yourself constantly second-guessing your own perceptions, judgment, and capabilities due to your boss's undermining comments and lies. 

This insidious form of psychological manipulation, known as gaslighting, can deeply impact your self-esteem, mental health, and sense of safety at work. 

You may worry that speaking up will only provoke further retaliation or be used against you. However, no employee deserves to be treated this way and have their grasp on reality slowly chipped away. 

You are not alone, and this type of workplace abuse is unacceptable. This short quiz can help shed some light on whether your boss's behaviors constitute gaslighting. 

Regardless of the results, resources are provided to help you reclaim your power, stand up to this toxic dynamic, and ensure your workplace is a psychologically safe environment.

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At Best Therapists, we believe that online mental health quizzes can be an excellent first step towards improving our mental health. Quizzes like this one can educate you and provide opportunities for self-reflection, but note that they are not a substitute for professional assessments and diagnoses.

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The gaslighting boss: Scenarios of manipulation at work

A gaslighting boss can create a confusing and stressful work environment. Here are some examples of how a boss might use gaslighting tactics on an employee.

Scenario 1 → The memory manipulator

• The situation: You complete a project following your boss's specific instructions. You receive praise for your work. Later, your boss denies ever giving those instructions and blames you for any mistakes, making you question your memory and competence.
• The gaslighting twist: This manipulation tactic creates self-doubt and makes you rely on your boss's version of events, giving them control over the narrative.

Scenario 2 → The praise eraser

• The situation: You go above and beyond to meet a challenging deadline and deliver exceptional results. Your boss seems happy initially but avoids mentioning your efforts in meetings or performance reviews.
• The gaslighting twist: By withholding deserved recognition, your boss downplays your contributions and chips away at your confidence and motivation.

Scenario 3 → The public vs. private performance

• The situation: Your boss publicly praises you in front of colleagues, making you feel valued. However, in private meetings, they constantly criticize your work and point out minor flaws.
• The gaslighting twist: This creates confusion and undermines your sense of trust. You're left questioning your performance and seeking constant external validation from your boss.

Scenario 4 → The seed of doubt

• The situation: You express a creative idea during a brainstorming session. Your boss dismisses your suggestion but later presents a similar idea as their own, taking credit for your concept.
• The gaslighting twist: This makes you doubt your own abilities and hesitate to contribute future ideas, giving your boss more control over the creative direction.

Scenario 5 → The "you're overreacting" excuse

• The situation: You bring up a legitimate concern about workload or unfair treatment within the team. Your boss dismisses your concerns as "overreacting" or being "too sensitive."
• The gaslighting twist: This minimizes your feelings and makes you question your own perception of reality, silencing your voice and preventing you from advocating for yourself.

Remember: These are just a few examples. If your boss consistently exhibits gaslighting behavior that creates a hostile work environment, it's important to document these instances and consider seeking guidance from HR or a trusted advisor. You deserve to feel respected and valued at work.