Invisible at work

Yesterday, my manager called me by the wrong name. To his credit, he doesn't see me everyday because his office is 60 miles away and I have only been working for him for six months. But, I received almost no orientation when starting the job and he consistently forgets to include me in things. I spent an entire month training myself, tracking down items I needed like a phone, computer, mail slot...I tried to get him to help, but he kept saying he would get to it and days would pass.

Maybe I expect too much from my manager, but it doesn't help my anxiety and depression when I feel ignored and forgotten.

What a terrible manager! Is there anyone higher up that you can speak to?

Yeah, I don't think he even wants to have the responsibility of a manager.

Seesaw, that is a good idea. I should talk to his manager about some of it.

Just be careful cause sometimes going behind your boss's back can back fire.

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I would only go to his/her manager if this situation really affects your current job duties. I have had my share of bad managers but contacting his/her manager wasn't always a practical solution and as seesaw mentioned: it can easily backfire.
Do you work in a team? Is it possible to exchange work experiences or work tips with coworkers? This kind of communication might make it easier to handle a bad manager.

I work in a team of 6. The others on the team have been working here for 10 years or more. I have gotten help from them at times and they have been great. But, they don't seem to have any of the problems I am having. I have been in other jobs with bad managers, but in those jobs my teammates had the same problems--we were together in fixing them. Not here.

Yes, I would have to be careful what I say to his manager or my teammates. My initial thoughts are to depersonalize my statements instead of mentioning the bad manager. Something like "since I am fairly new to the team, what is the best way for me to get informed of..."

It is difficult. When your manager is causing problems, you have to find ways to work around him/her. The problems go unaddressed unless you speak up. If you speak up, there is risk of it backfiring.

Yes, managing up is a trick and it sounds like you will have to manage up. It's hard to be in that situation and I've been there before but it can be done.

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If you have not done this already, what about going to your manager himself instead of going above him? I like the idea of using non-personal statements like you mentioned, not sounding accusing but just ask for what you need/want 'to do a better job for the company', blah, blah. You might start small and not a big laundry list of requests. Just thinking out loud ... we all need to feel a part of the organization and ultimately, also appreciated!

I have talked directly to my manager, but it is frustrating. He will promise to do something and not do it. For example, I was assigned a project from his manager who told me that my manager would get me help since it has a short time period to get a lot done. I called my manager and he promised to shift some work and get most of my teammates involved, but never followed through. I asked again about it and got the same promise. Three weeks have passed. I have started asking my teammates directly to help me, but it is awkward because they haven't be asked to shift their work.

I know I am also overly sensitive to being treated as unimportant and overlooked, so that has to be heightening my stress about the situation. He is probably overwhelmed with everything else in our team and I am not a priority to him.

It sounds like you have done your best to improve the situation Yzen. I am so sorry you feel stuck in this situation. Maybe it is time to look for another job, not that you will necessarily find one or take it but it can feel powerful to at least see what is out there and know you are taking care of yourself.