Best way to react?

Just go along with his childishness. Did you question why he deleted your work ?

Keep a copy, might be useful if you need to prove things at some point in the future.

I agree about keeping notes of incidents and copies of any documentation,. If you have an HR department, once you have amassed enough material to evidence his bullying ways and if the situation doesn't get better, I would make an appointment to discuss it with them.

Ask a few polite questions about his manner then if no proper response, go further up the chain of command. Died he act like that with other employees?
If not, why does he pick on you?
Think about your attitude around him.
Is your homelife growing up, impacting your ability to separate a manager who has rules and likes them adhered to, from a bullying/overbearing father.

Does not died.

As always, be professional and calm. Bullying managers are often insecure. Ask him if he saw your work and whether he can give you any feedback on it. Tell him you are struggling if you are, it shows humility. It might enable a better conversation. Keep him on the task by repeating yourself if he tries to change the subject. Tell him you want to improve but you'd like some mentoring. Be a bit humble. Hope this helps.

Oo-oooh, no no no. No humbling but no being awkward either.
Ask outright but politely. Never ever give someone the upper hand by being 'ever so 'umble, even your boss.

as he doesn't like it when I show initiative

What you see as initiative, he may see as you being pushy and stepping into areas where he has responsibility. I'm not saying this is the case, only that it could be, and that would 'explain' his disliking something you've done.

If that is so, he should tell you where he does not want you to "show initiative" rather than just destroying your work.

Good luck sorting it out. Other posters have made good suggestions.

Start looking for another job. Not easy I know but the satisfaction of telling him you are leaving for a better job where you are respected and valued!

never tell someone you are having difficulties with that you are struggling.
just be business-like. go to speak to him with a jotter and pen, as if to note down his pearls of wisdom. but never bite the pen.
you need only write down the date and time of the meeting, but it looks as if you are acting logically, and also gives you something to distract any nerves you may have.
play the part. look serious, reasonable, open to ideas.
ask if he could explain what the problem was with that piece of work. hope you kept a copy.
in what way is he bullying. can you explain the situation more.
if you admit you are struggling you give people power over you. only do that if absolutely desperate, or if you trust the person completely. be very wary in a workplace. keep schtum.

Thanks everybody. It isn't personal as he has a reputation for being unpleasant and it was alluded other people have made complaints.

I am keeping notes, have spoken to him informally and may take it further.

However, I find it embarrassing that he gets to me so much. He is very similar to my father and I do believe it is a trigger. I was always criticised, controlled , never respected etc and I find in work I walk on eggshells.

How can I stop feeling like a child in work?

What is wrong with you people? That's why everyone's so backbiting and in power struggles. You can be professional and open to hearing someone ideas, it's called having listening skills, it's done actively, you don't have to be passive. Does the OP enjoy their job? It depends on that really.

I agree with Gabriella. Ask him what was wrong with the work that you'd done, that he subsequently deleted, so you you'll 'know' for next time.

It’s the Cinderella complex, you feel like a child and want to please.

It’s not easy and I do believe these people can sniff out a “victim”.

The secret is not to be a victim!

Always communicate via email, thereby creating a paper trail.

Never apologise, you can say “ it’s unfortunate that’s how you feel or simply ask what his preferred method would be but......Never fall into the trap of using a victims language.
“ I’m so sorry” “ It won’t happen again”

If you feel pushed. in a corner take a deep breath and say” I’ve taken on board what you have said, I now need time to digest it”
Don’t feel you have to respond immediately.

Good luck.

I disagree with the line ' It's unfortunate that's how you feel' and this is why.
The word 'unfortunate' has a supercilious tone to it when talking to a superior in the workplace. It's ok to say it in this context 'Unfortunately, I cannot work later than 5pm...blah blah' but not in the context of you saying it's unfortunate that he feels XYZ way.
It's tantamount to telling him that it's his lookout and his fault...hard to describe but it's not a phrase I would use in the OPs situation.

The only workable solution is to find another job.
The OPs treatment by her father will always colour her relationships with male bosses who are firm in their handling of staff.
She has admitted her father's attitude to her is the trigger for any perceived friction between her and her manager at work.
The only definitive solution is to leave home and find a new job.

I have had numerous males bosses none have behaved in this way.

I worked for my local police force for over 30 years and EVERY male boss I had behaved this way.
Actually, they would usually change the name on the work to their own and take the credit for it!

I soon learned to password protect my work and circulate it to others at the same time so they couldn't take the credit.
(never had the problem with female bosses).

OP you need to learn to be more devious and play him at his own game - or move to a job the suits you better.

...and?
Does that mean no other managers/bosses ever act as the OP alleges?
Some people, bosses, male and female (and everyone in between) lock into or hone in on frailties or vibes given out unknowingly by their staff.
Some use it to their advantage and make the staff member their whipping boy.
This could be for any of a multitude of reasons.
It has to be considered, as a matter of fairness, that the OP unwittingly invites this behaviour by doing things which are not in her remit but which she thinks will earn her a modicum of praise or recognition, a favourable attention she does not receive from her father.
I feel heartily sorry for this lady and wish I could alter her unhappy state.
It must be truly dreadful to see in your boss, daily, a reflection of your father who trashes her ego into the ground, especially as she has no idea how to end this catch 22 situation. Her father is at home and in her workplace.
I can only reiterate my original advice. Leave home and change job. Not terribly easy to do both at the same time but changing job comes first, then you can find accomodation according to your income.
I wish her the very best in life but do not compromise on personal happiness.
As Liam Gallagher sings, 'You only get to do it Once'. ?

The '..and? was to Galaxy

I (unfortunately) supervised somebody who 'had initiative' (in her own words).
What I really wanted, and needed, was someone who could reliably follow instructions and stick to the duties in her job description.

If she'd just done her job well, I'd have encouraged her ideas and 'initiative', but no, she rushed things, made mistakes, didn't check for accuracy, then went off on her own tangent.

An employee like that is more of a liability than a help!

Yes of course there are bosses like this, I believe op completely. I dont think he sounds firm I think he sounds inappropriate, my point bring it's not something she has to put up with, there are numerous bosses who dont behave like this.

Thanks everybody.

I know I haven't gone into the full details of what my manager is like, until I leave he won't change, so I'm focusing on me. Every person who deals with him has the same issue but I am more anxious due to my past.

Someone mentioned there is a transactions ego theory, in other words we are in three states, a parent, child and adult.
Our states can change as appropriate but he always acts in a parent state.

For example, I work better when he isnt there. My heart sinks when he is in the room- not a professional response, so how can I act the same regardless of whether he is there or not if that makes sense?

Ineedamum I've been in your position during my working life only the boss was female. Unfortunately the only solution in end was to find another job. Good luck.

One thing I wondered about is that if other people had complained about him, why hasn't something been done? Or was it all just a moan between work colleagues?
Firstly, if you are given a task to do, stick to it ! Doesn't matter if you think there is a better way to do it, unless you are asked for an opinion, don't say it! In the mean time, you seriously will be better either asking for a move to another department ( if there is one) or look for a different job - you will never be happy working for this man and I very much doubt if he will change what he does. It's a fact that some people will do and expect jobs to be done a certain way and if you step out of the box, it is not appreciated.