Horrible Bosses by Diane Burton

Oh, yeah. I’ve had ‘em. Some were only mildly horrible—like the principal who tried to hit on all the young teachers. Tried being the operative word. Then there was the principal who fired me. Yep. In fact, she let go all the teachers she hadn’t hired. Back in the day when teachers were in demand, we could teach (in some private schools) with less than full certification. Mine was in secondary education and I was teaching first grade. Even though I was taking classes toward an elementary certificate, it didn’t matter. I knew I was in trouble with her the first time she visited my classroom when my students weren’t at their desks sitting in straight rows. I don’t think she ever heard of learning stations. Anyway, I’m sure she got her wish with my replacement. That experience prompted my leaving the parochial system for public schools with contracts and tenure.

The one boss that stands out, though, was the one who changed the whole atmosphere of the workplace. From a relaxed, laid back office to tension you wouldn’t believe. I can’t say some of us ducked into the nearest storage or copy room when he walked by, but it was close. So I had two choices. Quit and lessen the stress in my life, even though it was at the height of the worst recession in recent history and meant losing health insurance my husband and I needed. Or sucking it up and staying. I stayed. My stress level went up. I had no energy left for writing and quit what I loved instead of the job. When we could afford COBRA to cover the gap until Medicare kicked in, I retired. What a relief. My energy came back and writing became fun again.

In my soon-to-be released science fiction romance, The Chameleon (an Outer Rim Novel). I exaggerate (slightly) my own horrible boss. When Jileena complains to her father (the company owner) about his new Chief Operating Officer, she mentions all I experienced and more.

Here's a brief blurb:

Legally Blond meets Mata Hari

Socialite Jileena Winslott has perfected the image of the spoiled, rich, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In reality, she’s a smart, savvy aide to her father in social situations where she is his eyes and ears. She yearns to be her true self and run the family business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she has the chance to prove herself. Big problem. He insists she take along a fake fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.

I blog here on the 8th and 30th of each month and Mondays on my own site http://dianeburton.blogspot.com