I recently returned to my role after a 4-month parental leave, and I’m finding it incredibly challenging to work under my current boss. They started about a year ago, and while they were initially abrasive but manageable, their management style has deteriorated significantly since my return. I've been back for just three weeks, and the situation has become unbearable. My boss has been demanding daily updates on my work, yet they rarely review the materials I send. Just last week, I submitted a simple code snippet as requested, but it took them nearly a week to discuss it, during which I was lectured about my process. The criticism felt unwarranted, especially for such a minor piece of work. When I provided a reasonable answer to a question about verification, I was dismissed outright, which felt demoralizing. Additionally, my boss has made it clear that I shouldn't communicate with my coworkers, which is counterproductive given how collaborative our team needs to be. I tried to defend a colleague who helped me, and I fear I may have put them in a difficult position. The overall atmosphere is toxic; my boss frequently cancels meetings without notice, doesn’t pay attention during discussions, and often prioritizes messaging others over our agenda. This has left my team feeling frustrated and undervalued. We have smart, hardworking individuals on our team, but the boss’s inability to connect with us is driving many to consider leaving. One person has already quit, and two others are on indefinite leave. I’m feeling trapped in this situation, trying to comply with unreasonable demands while maintaining my sanity. I’m documenting everything in case I need to escalate or prove a pattern of behavior, but it's disheartening to think about leaving a job I love due to a boss I can't stand.