Julie, my department has been in similar situations with managers before, including my own current one. As much as you can, document, and get corroboration, and above all keep your cool. Unfortunately my experience is that nothing much will happen until something legally actionable occurs, and enough people are willing to talk about it to a lawyer. Unless your higher-ups are looking for a reason to can her, and in that case you want to be extra-careful to seem level-headed and an excellent employee.

A woman once quit our department after less than a month, by going to lunch and leaving a Post-It on her monitor that read, "I have never been treated so badly anywhere before" and she never came back. She's a legend.

Or, what Scrappy said.

Juliebird, she sounds awful. But you need to have a list of hard examples, documented. Get as many as you can. And see if there's anyone else on the staff who will go in with you, because otherwise it looks like "a personality conflict" rather than actual misbehavior on her part.

Yeah, this. And if there are already concerns, you should be able to communicate your displeasure without really saying anything. Can you talk up the quit person, or at least the need for that role? You really want to say as many positive things as possible -- not positive toward the horrible person, but positive in general.

If the higher-ups think the boss is doing a good job, you really don't want to come off as difficult, or a whiner.

If, however, her management impedes the job getting done, THEN they are going to want to listen.

What Scrappy Said.

A woman once quit our department after less than a month, by going to lunch and leaving a Post-It on her monitor that read, "I have never been treated so badly anywhere before" and she never came back. She's a legend.

That's kind of awesome.

Consuela is totally right here, Juliebird.

What does not effect the bottom line, limit productivity or otherwise damage the organization's efforts, is generally of no interest...even though it sounds like you are being asked to squeal.

Being a difficult/unlikable/ineffective boss is unlikely to garner much interest among the brass.

It sucks, but it's true.

Taking absolutely every bit of personal hurt/disgust out of your comments is crucial to your concerns being taken seriously.

I know that is hard to do when you know you are right about how wrong someone else is. This woman being a jerk may actually be what the organization wants. I hate to say it, but I've seen it many, many times.

God, I'm so glad I asked. I had a feeling that my relief at having an outlet for my grievances was too good to last.

It probably isn't a trap, but you can never be sure in situations like this.

Vent your spleen elsewhere and then answer whatever questions they have honestly, but dispassionately where ever possible.

Yeah, sorry, Juliebird. If you want to keep working there, don't talk shit to your boss's bosses.

Does the size of the organisation make any difference? We're a small staff of 9 (now currently 8) people.

If you want to keep working there, don't talk shit to your boss's bosses.

Hah! Now isn't that the Big Question. I like my job and my coworkers just fine except for this one person who has no clue what my job is or entails.