Q:  Your boss has begun to display a pattern of irrational behavior, and it is putting a strain on people in the office. What should you do?

A.  A shift in your boss’s ordinary workplace behavior should arouse concern, said Gerald M. Groe, an organizational psychologist and professional development consultant in Parrish, Fla.  “Just because your boss is the boss doesn’t mean he is impervious to stress and suffering,” said Mr. Groe, who has served as a human resources executive at both the American Express and Cigna.

Q:  Which types of behavior are cause for alarm?

A:  There’s no formula for assessing irrational behavior.  “If you’ve worked for your boss for a while, you probably know what types of actions would seem odd,” said John Baldoni, a management consultant in Ann Arbor, Mich.  He said that unprovoked tirades by the boss could be just as suggestive of trouble as his disappearing for days at a time.

Out of character behavior could be caused by almost anything – including personal issues such as alcoholism, chronic depression or problems at home, as well as under-the-radar stresses at work, such as an internal audit, lawsuit or performance review.  Whatever the reason, Mr. Baldoni says it is prudent to note unusual behavior and to compile a written record of your observations in case you are asked for specifics down the line.

Q:  Is it a good idea to discuss concerns about the boss with your colleagues?

A:  Pamela J. Holland, chief operating officer of Brody Communications, a leadership training firm in Philadelphia, says that as long as you are careful not to say anything that may be regarded as undercutting your boss, sharing your concerns with co-workers may be helpful.  “Talking about the situation with colleagues might help you realize that perhaps the boss’s behavior is indicative of a much larger problem,” said Ms. Holland, author of “Help!  Was That a Career Limiting Move?” (Career Skills Press 2001).

Q:  If your colleagues agree that something is wrong, should you act as a group?

A:  Resist the urge to confront the boss as a group, said Alexandra Delis-Abrams, a psychologist in Sun Valley, Idaho.  “If he’s going through a tough time, that could only make things worse,” Ms. Delis-Abrams said.  She added that a group confrontation might be perceived as sabotage or mutiny.  “Sometimes it’s just gentler to raise concerns in a more private forum”, she said.

Q:  How do you broach the issue with your boss, one on one?

A:  Respectfully, and only if you are close enough to your boss to approach him directly.  Schedule a private meeting.  If you think that your boss would be more comfortable having a discussion outside the office, ask him out to lunch, or suggest a midday walk for a breath of fresh air.

When you have your boss’s attention, be direct.  Anna Maravelas, a licensed therapist and president of TheraRising.com in St. Paul, suggests beginning the conversation by stating appreciation for open lines of communication, then moving quickly into a statement of the facts that are cause for concern.  Here, she said, it is important to call upon some of your documented observations, and to contrast the new behavior with patterns from the past.