Sticky Work Situation--what to do? Sorry so long!

MEJOHNSO

I work for a very small organization and received a promotion during this past summer.  I was excited and things were going great, but then recently I've been slammed with extra work--many things I've never done before and had to teach myself.  I've also noticed that my boss is shifting more and more of what would normally fall under my job description to another employee.  I brought this up to my boss and said I've been noticing that you've been assigning so-and-so a lot of the things I used to be responsible for.  I just wondered if there was anything I had done to make you think that I couldn't handle some of these things?  

Shockingly, my boss replied that he didn't think I was getting as much done as I should be in the amount of time that I was working and questioned my time management skills as well as my ability to work through distractions.  I responded that I was sorry to hear that because I felt that I was doing my best and that I didn't think he understood how much time it was taking me to figure out my new responsibilities since no one in the company had ever done them before and I had to basically train myself.  

We ended on a relatively cordial note with me returning to getting his approval for some expense reports I was working on.  I also was very conscientious since our discussion to arrive a little early, take a shortened lunch, leave a little late and finish every task on my list each day.

The problem is that today (after concluding my lunch early) when I passed by our breakroom, I heard my boss telling several of my other co-workers about our conversation as well as throwing in some personal attacks about me and my family.  Now I don't know what to do.  Talk about de-motivating.  Also, I would just leave and look for another job, but what about references?  And even more than that, we don't have an HR department so I have literally no one to complain to.  Thoughts on what I should do?

YankeeGirlGoesSouthern

I would have a private heart-to-heart with your boss and say how disappointed you were (trying to be diplomatic here, I'm sure you feel a lot worse than "disappointed") to overhear your private conversation and ask him where that came from. See what he says and go from there. If this was a one-time deal and he admits it was clearly unprofessional of him, then try and move on from there. But if he's just an asshole with a big mouth, it's not worth your time (and sanity) to stay. Don't stay because you're worried about references. Just find something better.

MEJOHNSO

Yes, I definitely think another heart to heart is in order.  But instead of revealing what I overheard, I was thinking of just saying something to the effect of, "You know I love this organization and am committed to my job.  As of a few months ago, you were happy enough with me to give me a promotion and raise and I was really excited about that.  Obviously, something has changed in how you view my performance--and I want to keep doing a job.  So is there any way that you can clarify what expectations you feel I'm not meeting and suggest some ways that I can improve."  I hate having to do it, but I think it might be needed.  And yes, in the meantime, I will be looking for another job because I have a host of health issues that are exacerbated by stress (like tension headaches and ulcers) and I just won't subject myself to hostility if it's unwarranted.

Janimal

Its time to look for another job.

If you initiate a heart to heart chat, you could be speeding up and encouraging him firing you.  Honestly, I don't think you should do that.  Keep your nose to the grindstone and don't give him a reason to let you until you are ready. 

Do you really want to work for a boss who behaves so inappropriately?  I would quietly update my resume and get a new gig.