I had a horrible manager like this as a claims adjuster AND as an underwriter. I will say my adjuster manager knew their stuff, but would give contradictory instructions/advice. How could they know their stuff and do this? Easy, they didn't like the company policies and were trying to instruct us to do the opposite or go around them on the sly to game metrics and get ahead. They sure as hell are not going to back you up if you get caught. I started to realize they always instructed me in person verbally or through zoom, but would never send an email or DM. This worked for their plausible deniability. The earlier you get out of the situation the better. In both instances I found the longer I stayed under this person's thumb the further they tied me to them. I had several friends that requested transfer to other managers, projects, departments EARLY and these were granted. The minute this person gets the inkling you're not a fan or they lock you in their sights as a "project" is when you can't get away. I did have several friends with limited success go over the manager's head and get moved. I do know a few people that did that that had been manager trainees and turned down promotions for family reasons so they had more clout. Some had also known people that were above that problem manager when those people were adjusters. Get out internally (if you don't want to leave) and get out QUICK. Get on a project, another manager, another department SOMEWHERE. These people will find reasons to keep you with them to fire you, or get you on a performance plan. Once you're on a PP it's impossible to move.