I stood up to an unreasonable and overly critical boss. Have you ever done this?

I've been putting up with a really negative overbearing boss for a while now and today I finally stood up to her. I know I'm doing a good job. In fact I'm an outstanding employee who goes the extra mile. My boss can't find anything major wrong so she looks for the smallest most minute thing and blows it out of proportion. For ex. my office is as neat as a pin already. But I took some files off the file cabinet behind me and set up a fan because we don't have air conditioning. I had set the files very neatly on the floor in the file rack. She had a fit. There are many other examples of this kind of stuff. That wouldn't be so bad except for the previous manager kept his office like a pig pen and she thought he was just great. He used to lose cashier's checks, too yet she said when he left he could come back at any time. Anyway, I told her I wasn't going to put up with this anymore. She backed down, but still I'm kind of nervous. Got any success or horror stories to share? Thanks

As long as you told her in a polite but assertive way without being rude to her I believe you have nothing to fear.. You need to stay professional and polite but you have as much right to point out to a boss in a polite assertive and confident way when you believe they are overreacting or if they go ''over the top'' as they are allowed to assess you and criticise.. you are at least entitled to give your viewpoints when you believe you are treated unfairly. I think it is important to let the boss or manager know if they try to take advantage of you... as long as you put your words carefully and politely and in a professional employee employer way.. but you do have that right to not be criticized for mere trifles.. and if you get criticized for evertyhing then you can ask your manager what this is all about and why she starts finding fault with everything you do when you know you are doing a good job.. It is always best to be able to communicate to a superior and discuss anything that is work related..that includes her or his attitude if you believe you were unfairly treated .. I don't believe you have anything to fear.. if she is as professional as she should be as the manager she will see this as constructive criticism.You are an employee with duties to fulfill but also with some rights and you can make that clear to your boss. I believe you did the right thing... and need not be nervous... i would have done the same...xx

My first 2 serious full time jobs I had bosses like this. The first one, I just left because I couldn't take it anymore. At the 2nd one, I FINALLY stood up for myself and I never regretted it. I finally got the respect I deserved when I did it. You have nothing to worry about.