01-03-2007, 02:57 AM
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... mailedlink (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-badbosses0207jan02,0,1438577.story?track=mostemail edlink)
TALLAHASSEE -- For workers, it's back to the job after a holiday weekend with family and friends. And for many, a new study shows, it will be under a bad boss.
Nearly two of five bosses don't keep their word, and more than a fourth of them bad-mouth workers they supervise to co-workers, the Florida State University study shows.
And those all-too-common poor managers create plenty of problems for companies as well, leading to poor morale, less production and higher turnover.
"They say that employees don't leave their job or company, they leave their boss," said Wayne Hochwarter, an associate professor of management in the College of Business at Florida State University.
"No abuse should be taken lightly, especially in situations where it becomes a criminal act," said Hochwarter, who joined with two doctoral students at the school to survey more than 700 people who work in a variety of jobs about how their treatment by supervisors.
"Employees stuck in an abusive relationship experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed mood and mistrust," the researchers said.
A good working environment is often more important than pay, the researchers said. They also said it's no coincidence that poor morale leads to less production as well.
"They [employees] were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job," the study said. "Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay."
The results of the study are scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of The Leadership Quarterly, a journal read by consultants, managers and executives.
The findings include:
39 percent of workers said their supervisors failed to keep promises.
37 percent said their supervisors failed to give credit when due.
31 percent said their supervisors gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.
27 percent said their supervisors made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.
24 percent said their supervisors invaded their privacy.
23 percent said their supervisors blamed others to cover up mistakes or to minimize embarrassment.
But the professors say it's important to be optimistic.
"It is important to stay positive, even when you get irritated or discouraged, because few subordinate-supervisor relationships last forever," he said. "You want the next boss to know what you can do for the company."
And workers should know where to turn if they feel threatened, harassed or discriminated against, whether it is the company's grievance committee or finding formal representation outside the employer.
"Others know who the bullies are at work," the researcher said. "They likely have a history of mistreating others."
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll:
TALLAHASSEE -- For workers, it's back to the job after a holiday weekend with family and friends. And for many, a new study shows, it will be under a bad boss.
Nearly two of five bosses don't keep their word, and more than a fourth of them bad-mouth workers they supervise to co-workers, the Florida State University study shows.
And those all-too-common poor managers create plenty of problems for companies as well, leading to poor morale, less production and higher turnover.
"They say that employees don't leave their job or company, they leave their boss," said Wayne Hochwarter, an associate professor of management in the College of Business at Florida State University.
"No abuse should be taken lightly, especially in situations where it becomes a criminal act," said Hochwarter, who joined with two doctoral students at the school to survey more than 700 people who work in a variety of jobs about how their treatment by supervisors.
"Employees stuck in an abusive relationship experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, depressed mood and mistrust," the researchers said.
A good working environment is often more important than pay, the researchers said. They also said it's no coincidence that poor morale leads to less production as well.
"They [employees] were less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and were generally less satisfied with their job," the study said. "Also, employees were more likely to leave if involved in an abusive relationship than if dissatisfied with pay."
The results of the study are scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of The Leadership Quarterly, a journal read by consultants, managers and executives.
The findings include:
39 percent of workers said their supervisors failed to keep promises.
37 percent said their supervisors failed to give credit when due.
31 percent said their supervisors gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.
27 percent said their supervisors made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.
24 percent said their supervisors invaded their privacy.
23 percent said their supervisors blamed others to cover up mistakes or to minimize embarrassment.
But the professors say it's important to be optimistic.
"It is important to stay positive, even when you get irritated or discouraged, because few subordinate-supervisor relationships last forever," he said. "You want the next boss to know what you can do for the company."
And workers should know where to turn if they feel threatened, harassed or discriminated against, whether it is the company's grievance committee or finding formal representation outside the employer.
"Others know who the bullies are at work," the researcher said. "They likely have a history of mistreating others."
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: