Distrust

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How do I tactfully let someone know I don't trust him?

My new boss is an overgrown juvenile delinquent: immature, irresponsible and insensitive. He is pathologically unethical, particularly where "following the rules" is concerned. In his previous managerial position, an excellent supervisor took a job halfway across the country just to get away from this jerk.

The problem is that he's totally clueless about why people don't seem to like him.
<i>[Socially inept; hmm, I wonder if he's Aspergian]</i>
Now he's trying really hard to be "nice" and "polite" around me (and I have to admit, he's stopped making devaluing jokes about everyone). He's not sophisticated enough to be manipulative and two-faced, so I have to conclude that he's really trying to be a good manager. But after years of seeing him clearly and consistently acting untrustworthy I will never be able to trust him.

How do I communicate that I will continue to do a professional job, but will never forgive or forget his past? I don't want to follow my instincts to be snarly and confrontational at his efforts to bond, but I really need to set some boundaries and give him at least a hint of why I'm uncomfortable working with him.

I do not think there is a way. Unless you are good friends, and it looks like you are not.
If he makes you uncomfortable then you could speak to someone in HR, or find another department.I hope I have helped.

your appraisal of the situation demonstrates a maturity that he doesnt , (as you have described) have.
there is one mantra i have in life......you can never control what has happened to you, the only thing you can control is how you respond to it.
i guage from your well thought out question that your response will be appropriate regardless of what you actually do.

good luck.

I have a concept of a 'measure of trust'. Can you trust him to do x? then trust him that far. Can he do y? then don't trust that far. hope that helps.