[golly_ned]

I can’t do that. My manager can, but I don’t think he’s strong-willed enough to actually do it.

I can put it in writing in his review, which I plan to do. I don’t want it to be a surprise.

I need way more from my manager. The only way I can get that is through my skip.

[DANmode]

You’re stuck in a culture of live and let live,

vs excellence.

Either swap roles with this asshole, or “be the bigger person” and move on from the toxic firm.

Especially if you get pushback above your direct manager.

[golly_ned]

Frankly, I think if you asked the difficult engineer, he'd say we're also stuck in a culture of live and let live vs. excellence, and that he's on the side of excellence, and his teammates just aren't good enough.

[DANmode]

Two paths.

Give him what he wants (your seat) if you truly just want to clock in there and work in peace as you've indicated.

If you want more than that, it may be time to move on.

[DANmode]

Unless something changes,

$Asshole is the manager anyway,

if he’s being tolerated.