Do you hate your boss?
Boing Boing's David Pescovitz recently commented on FSU's study on over 700 doctoral students regarding their relationship with their boss.
Not surprisingly, a vast number had issues of some sort with their boss such as;
- Receiving 'silent treatment' from their supervisor (31%)
- Their boss failing to keep promises (39%)
- Invading their privacy (24%)
- Blaming others to cover their own backs (23%)
Employees having problems with their bosses are giving rise to internet sites such as HateBoss.com springing up allowing people to vent their collective spleens.
The survey report went on to state;
"Employees stuck in an abusive relationship experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed mood and mistrust.They also were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job. Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay."
Companies wanting to gain the upper hand in retaining good working relationships will need to address the results of this study. Otherwise, staff turnover will continue to be an issue for many businesses.
It appears from the survey results that the problems lie mainly with understanding the leadership role. Bosses in superiority positions may require more interpersonal training and knowledge and also a greater understanding of team work.
What is more disconcerting is that with all the training, conferences and leadership resources at our disposal employees are still suffering these types of complaints against their bosses.
It would be interesting to see the survey data and not where these 700 respondents were employed. My hunch would be that the disgruntled employees came from small-businesses where the boss is more likely to be the owner. In this situation it is highly likely that bosses haven't been trained well.
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Comments
Hi
You have this slightly wrong. It's not 700 doctoral students - it's a study by a professor and 2 doctoral students on 700 members of the regular workforce.
I also disagree with your hunch. My feeling is that in small businesses such relationships are less likely, since job descriptions will tend to be less well defined with a more hands-on approach to most tasks. I believe the disgruntled employee / bad boss syndrome will be more typical of larger firms where there are many levels of management, where frequently people may be promoted to management positions without suitable training, often being promoted because they're deemed to deserve a promotion rather than the actual position genuinely existing.
Interesting topic, though.
Posted by: Matt Thornton | January 20, 2007 1:11 AM
My bad, Matt. You are quite correct with the study participants.
If your hunch is correct the n the comment I made previously is all the more sadder;
What is more disconcerting is that with all the training, conferences and leadership resources at our disposal employees are still suffering these types of complaints against their bosses.
Posted by: Stuart | January 20, 2007 2:47 PM
I am no world reknowned management expert like Deming or Drucker. I have no Phd, have conducted no scholarly research or gathered statistics. My opinions are drawn from over thirty years in middle management. I am neither executive, consultant, nor belong to any elite institutions. I am, however, passionate about these views: Employees come to work with an implicit trust that their managers are always working for the best interest of the company and its employees. That trust should not and cannot ever be taken for granted. Look what is happening today. It is no longer "What's good for the company is good for the manager." It has become "What's good for the manager is good for the company." Top executives have totally lost sight of this phenomenon and are allowing managers to run amok in order to fulfill their own personal agendas.
Several years ago I wrote a book on the subject of bad bosses, workplace culture and employee morale. It is as relevant today as it was then. The premise of the book is that employee morale is directly linked to the interaction of employees with line managers who are charged with executing the policies and strategies of companies. Unfortunately, many of these managers subvert the good intentions of the organization to meet their own personal goals and agendas at the expense of their peers and subordinates. This management subculture is the result of a corporate culture of ignorance, indifference and excuse. This problem can only be addressed from the top echelon of the organization through honest introspection and intelligent skepticism - not by some consultant's attempts to manipulate the workforce into "feeling" better through gimmicks and programs. Better corporate level leadership is the key. Read more in "160 Degrees of Deviation: The Case for the Corporate Cynic."
Jerome Alexander
Posted by: Jerome Alexander | February 12, 2007 1:30 AM
If you hate your boss, you should read You're an Idiot, and People Talk About You Behind Your Back. This is a shameless plug, but the book is a hidden gem that you will find nails most of the idiot bosses out there. It is an easy, quick read a great gift for your idiot boss. Get it on Amazon.
Posted by: aonetowne | February 14, 2007 10:34 PM
I became so agitated by the denouncers of the FSU study that I started my own blog. Just hope that I can help make a difference.
Posted by: Jerome Alexander | March 28, 2007 10:06 AM