Working life can be challenging enough, but having a toxic manager or boss makes it that much more difficult.

What do we mean by a toxic boss? They are usually bullies, try to find faults in their subordinates, they tend to gaslight those working under them and are generally unreasonable with their demands.

It's not easy to deal with such people even at the best of times, but feeling like you have to be in their good books to get ahead in your career might make things a little more difficult.

But all is not lost. Here are some of the steps you can take to deal with the situation:

1) Talk to them

It's probably the last thing you want to do, but communication is important in any type of relationship.

Tell your boss that you would like to speak to him/her privately and discuss how you feel without sounding accusatory. The last thing you want to do is put them on the defensive.

It might be a good idea to try to come up with a mutually agreeable solution.

2) Focus on your work instead of your boss

It can be demotivating to work with a toxic person, but try to focus on your work and limit your interaction with your boss.

Most importantly, don't let your boss affect your confidence. Just make sure you give your all when you're completing your task and produce good results.

Even if it's not appreciated by your immediate supervisor, it will be noticed by others, and that would go a long way sometimes.

3) Don't take it personally

It's not easy not to take things personally especially when it feels like the criticism is directed at you, but if a person is toxic and spew their hateful words at many people, the problem lies with them.

Understanding that the person is just flawed will help you realise that it's not you, it's them, thus making it easier to deal with that person.

4) Document everything

It's important to have written notes or, even better, email threads to show all the interactions you've had with your manager.

This way, they cannot say you did not follow instructions correctly or take credit for your work as it's all in black and white.

5) Network and make sure your work is recognised

It often feels like the fate of your career depends on your direct superior, but that is not the case.

Speak up during work, take credit for your own work, create healthy relationship with other managers and those above them in the office and make connections outside of your current workplace. You never know when the networking will come in handy.

6) Leave

It's a big world out there. If you begin to feel too overwhelmed by the situation and all else has failed, look for opportunities outside.

We no longer live in a world where people stay at the same workplace for their whole lives. Spread your wings and fly away, little bird.

Catch 'How Not To Lose Your Job' webseries for some laughs

The creative minds from Rojak Daily (hey, that's us!), Astro Gempak and Hello! (Astro CH702) have come together to bring you a new web sitcom.

Titled 'How Not To Lose Your Job', the sitcom touches on a topic that a majority of Malaysians are too familiar with these days: struggling to keep their job.

It also features toxic boss, Miss JJ, so if you're dealing with one, you're going to totally relate to some of the other cast in the show.

If you haven't already, catch the first three episodes below:

EPISODE 1

Miss JJ, an ambitious and strong-willed independent lady boss, prepares to start her first day as an editor-in-chief at a local media company. She announces to her team that there's going to be a company anniversary celebration, and while her team thinks that they'll be getting their bonuses, they weren't prepared for the shock of their lives: they've all been fired - even poor Miss JJ!

EPISODE 2

Determined to show her boss that he's making a big mistake, Miss JJ vows to make him change his mind. While the team is depressed after finding out that they've just lost their jobs, Miss JJ realised that only one person survived the cut: Amu, the cleaner and tea lady. When Miss JJ was trying to force Amu to reveal the reason she was not fired, she had an 'eureeka' moment on how to save her job, but will it work though?

EPISODE 3

Thankfully for Miss JJ and team, the Boss has given them the green light to run a gossip portal, but here's the problem: no one in the team knows anything about celebrity gossip. On top of that, they're faced with the toughest task yet: what to name their brand new website! Meanwhile, influencer-wannabe Lola sneaks out of the office to go on a date with a celebrity.

You can catch new episodes of 'How Not To Lose Your Job' every Monday at 9pm on www.rojakdaily.com/hownotto!

It will also be available on www.gempak.com and Hello (CH702).