Five Danger Signs of a Toxic Boss

Forget about the flu bug or West Nile virus or the common cold. You can get a vaccination for the flu, treatment for West Nile and suffer through a cold without dire consequences. But there is one health threat spreading faster through the workplace. Toxic managers!

In an Inc.com article, “The Real Productivity Killers: Jerks,” Meaghan Ouimet shares some interesting statistics on the effect of toxic managers. In this “Jerk Alert,” she reveals how bad bosses affect employee well-being and productivity. 

1. Cha-ching! One study showed bad managers cost companies $360 billion in lost productivity alone. What’s more, their poor management has a trickle down affect. Direct reports take it out on subordinates; work suffers, and finally bottoms out with the bottom-line. What would employees give for a better manager? It’s not what they would give, but give up that’s shocking. A whopping 65% they would give up a raise to get a new boss! Those employees who give up and quit cost the company $3500 in hiring, recruiting and training costs.
    
2.  Worst part of the job. Some managers take the term “boss” seriously. Working for a “boss” who feels it’s her job to give orders, criticize work and pile on the assignments can drive an employee crazy. One statistic said three out of four employees reported their boss was the worst part of their job. There are some pretty difficult, stressful—even dangerous—jobs out there. A bad boss can make a tough job even worse!
    
3. No action. The boss in #2 can be a nightmare, but for many, it’s what their bosses don’t do that makes them jerks. They have a title and are supposed to be leaders. They occupy an office but don’t measure up. Sins of omission include failure to inspire, collaborate, walk the talk and be a team player. These no-shows also don’t have a clear vision and accept mediocrity. It’s difficult to perform at peak capacity when everyone else is coasting along, including the boss!
    
4. Call the Doctor. These statistics were most disturbing. One reported that it takes an average of 22 months to shake off the stress of dealing with a bad boss. Even when you get your wish in #1 and get a new boss, the ghost of the past remains. The damage is done. The next boss has got a tough job convincing the team he’s not a clone stepping in to continue the misery. Another distressing statistic states workers with poor relationships with their managers are 30 percent more likely to suffer coronary heart disease. Getting out from under a toxic boss may actually be a matter of life and death!
    
5. Passive-aggressive resistance. Employees fight back in reduced productivity and covert action. Thirty percent of workers with abusive bosses deliberately slowed down and made errors. Twenty-seven percent admitted to hiding from their bosses. You can’t do much work when you’re camped out in the utility closet. Twenty-five percent called off sick when they weren’t ill, and 25 percent took longer breaks. Employees may not be able to topple the boss or change his stripes, but they can fire shots from the shadows and make themselves scarce, slowing productivity and making him look bad.

All the stress, health issues and lost productivity increases health insurance claims, treatment costs and eventually raises premiums for all employees. Instead of suffering, companies should give managers some coaching and training to improve their management skills. And if that doesn’t work, give them the boot.

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