Is your boss the reason you’re looking for a new job?
You might be surprised to learn those bad boss behaviors are one of the top reasons why some companies have a toxic culture that makes good employees quit.
In fact, a study of 7,000 professionals found that 50% of respondents said they had left a job because of their boss, compared to 25% who quit their job because of toxic coworkers.
So, what makes a boss so bad that makes good employees like you feel want to quit?
Why Do Good Employees Quit Their Bosses
Bad bosses are the number one reason why good employees quit their jobs. In fact, 82% of employees will consider quitting their job because of a bad boss.
Good employees often put up with bad bosses because they need the job, but eventually, they reach their breaking point and quit.
When good employees quit, it’s not just the boss that suffers – the whole company feels the effects.
There are a number of reasons why bad bosses make good employees quit, including; verbal abuse, micromanagement, and taking credit for employees’ work.
Amount many bad boss behaviors, studies found; playing favorites, making threats to fire employees, and using company resources for personal use are ranked as the 3 worst bad boss behavior that makes employees wants to quit.
| Bad Boss Behaviors | % of all employees find it unacceptable |
|---|---|
| Playing Favorites | 87% |
| Making Threats To Fire Employees | 83% |
| Using Company Account for Personal Use | 82% |
| Making Romantic Advances to Employees | 82% |
| Taking Credit for Other Employee’s Work | 81% |
| Mentioning Their Poor Performance to Co-Workers | 81% |
| Using Drugs or Alcohol At Work | 81% |
| Cancelling Meeting At The Last Minute | 78% |
| Poor Hygiene | 78% |
| Tardiness | 78% |
Playing Favorites
Playing Favorites is about giving certain employees preferential treatment or benefits that are not available to others.
No one likes to feel like they are being treated unfairly at their job. Unfortunately, many employees feel this way on a regular basis.
This toxic behavior by a boss can create a hostile work environment and lead to low morale among employees.
It is one of the main reasons why good employees quit their jobs, which is detrimental to the company.
According to the survey, 87% of all employees think “playing favorites” is the most inappropriate boss behavior at work.
Making Threats To Fire Employees
Making threats to fire employees can create a hostile work environment that not only does it make the employee feel bad, but also makes them less likely to want to do their job.
This abusive boss behavior can cause employees to feel anxious and stressed. And, in some cases, it can even lead to them quitting.
Some bosses make threats to fire employees in order to control them and force them to comply with demands.
If you are experiencing this type of treatment from your boss, it is important to document the incidents and speak with HR about your options.
According to the survey, 83% of all employees think “making threats” is not acceptable behavior for a boss.
Using Company Resources for Personal Use
A person who uses their company’s resources for personal gain instead of for the benefit of the organization is unforgivable and will often warren an immediate dismissal from the company.
Use of company resources for personal use includes:
- Using company funds to pay for personal expenses,
- Using company property for personal use, or
- Taking advantage of company employees for personal gain.
Bad bosses who use company resources for personal use not only betray their employees but also the trust the company has placed in the individual.
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
82% of all employees think “using of company’s resources for personal use” does not set a good example and is not acceptable behavior for a boss.
Making Romantic Advances to Employees
Making romantic advances to employees can be another form of bad behavior seen in many workplaces, it can create an uncomfortable work environment and potentially lead to sexual harassment claims.
Studies have found that one of the top reasons employees quit their bosses is because of unwanted romantic advances.
- 4 in 5 women have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, and 38% of women who have been harassed in their job lead to quitting.
- 2 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, and approx 10% of men who have been harassed in their job lead to quitting.
Of all the harassment cases, 7% of women and 4% of men have been sexually assaulted at work. The high percentage is concerning and this type of behavior was a major factor in why good employees quit their jobs, especially women.
Sexual harassment from their boss or coworkers can take any form such as:
- Unwanted touching
- Sexual comments
- Pressure to engage in sexual activity
82% of all employees think “making romantic advances to employees” is bad if it is unwanted and pressured.
Using Drugs or Alcohol At Work
The use of drugs and alcohol at work is often overlooked but can have serious implications for productivity and morale in the workplace.
This creates an unsafe and unhealthy work environment for their employees. not only is this dangerous, but it also is illegal in many countries.
Drug and alcohol use can create a hostile or chaotic work environment, and can lead to absenteeism, accidents, and errors. It can also damage relationships between employees and their bosses
This type of behavior should not be tolerated in any workplace and 81% of all employees agree that it is not acceptable.
Mentioning Their Poor Performance to Co-Workers
You may not be the best performer on the team, or the boss may be overly critical and quick to point out errors. These can create a tense and stressful working environment. Even so, some employees may tough it out and even learn to grow in the team to become better.
But if a boss consistently mentions an employee’s poor performance to another coworker, this is a surefire way to make any employees uncomfortable and may even decide to quit their job.
A boss should avoid discussing any employee’s poor performance openly as it creates a toxic work environment where employees will badmouth each other leading to a decrease in productivity and morale of the team.
81% of all employees find this behavior unacceptable and will consider quitting their job if it happens to them.
Taking Credit for Other Employee’s Work
A boss taking credit for an employee’s work is one of the worst things a boss can do to an employee. As an employee, they feel that they are not being recognized for their hard work which can be a frustrating experience.
Not only does this act dishonor the employee, but it also shows a lack of respect for their intelligence and abilities. This type of behavior can create a hostile work environment and damage morale.
Employees may feel that they are not being recognized for their hard work. Demoralized and filled with disappointment, this feeling of frustration can lead to resentment and eventually, the decision to quit.
The studies show, 81% of all employees will not accept a person who takes credit for an employee’s work to be their boss and will consider quitting their job.
Tardiness
Being late once in a while is usually acceptable in many societies. You may have a lot of things to do, or something unexpected happens which requires your immediate attention.
But tardiness, or have a habit of constantly being late can be a big issue.
- Team meeting: Being late when meeting others is equal to disrespecting others’ time and the effort that they make to be on time for the event.
- Meeting clients: Being late for meeting clients will often lead to unsuccessful sales or discussions.
- Starting work: Being late for work is equal to disrespecting your company’s policy and you may even warren a warning letter.
When your boss is constantly late for meetings, it sets a tone for the rest of the company. Employees feel disrespected and unimportant. This can lead to a feeling of being undervalued and unappreciated.
78% of the employees surveyed think it is unacceptable for the boss to be tardy.
Poor Hygiene
Poor hygiene is a personal issue, but it can be a major turn-off for employees that can drive employees away, leading to increased absenteeism, a decrease in productivity, and an increase in errors.
Examples of poor hygiene are:
- Body odor
- Bad breathe
- Dirty clothing
Imagine talking to your boss with a strong body odor in an enclosed small conference room. You will probably be highly distracted by the bad odor, hoping the meeting will end quickly so you can catch some fresh air.
Poor hygiene is not just a personal issue when your job requires you to interact with people. The level of personal hygiene shows how much you respect the people around you.
Bosses with bad poor hygiene just show that they didn’t care about those around them or the company they are working for.
78% of all respondents think a boss with poor personal hygiene is undesirable.
Canceling Meeting At The Last Minute
Canceling a meeting at the last minute can be a huge inconvenience for employees who have taken time out of their day to prepare for the meeting.
When bosses cancel meetings, it sends a clear message that their time is more important than their employees, with a huge chunk of time and energy to prepare for the meeting employees may question how much their boss actually values them.
This action can lead to a feeling of devaluation and disrespect, which demotivates the team and decreases the team’s productivity.
Cancellation of any meeting should be done as early as possible, and as rarely as possible.
Like the story of the crying wolf, a shepherd boy repeatedly fools villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock. When an actual wolf appears and the boy calls for help, the villagers think it is another false alarm, and the sheep are eaten by the wolf.
Likewise, the boss will lose the employees’ trust and respect, and eventually, the employees will think it is another “false meeting” and come into the meeting ill-prepared which leads to unproductive meetings.
78% of all employees think canceling a meeting at the last minute is frustrating and unacceptable behavior from a boss.
10 Worst Bad Boss Behaviors For Men
No one wants to work for a bad boss. No matter how great the company is or how much you love your job, a bad boss can make going to work every day a nightmare. Unfortunately, some bosses exhibit behavior that makes them difficult to work for.
Men employees in particular find these 10 boss behavior the most inappropriate for bosses, which may lead them to consider quitting their job.
| Bad Boss Behaviors | % of men find it unacceptable |
|---|---|
| Playing Favorites | 82% |
| Making Threats To Fire Employees | 82% |
| Making Romantic Advances to Employees | 81% |
| Using Drugs or Alcohol At Work | 80% |
| Using Company Account for Personal Use | 79% |
| Mentioning Their Poor Performance to Co-Workers | 78% |
| Taking Credit for Other Employee’s Work | 77% |
| Tardiness | 77% |
| Poor Hygiene | 76% |
| Cancelling Meeting At The Last Minute | 75% |
10 Worst Bad Boss Behaviors For Women
Bad bosses come in all shapes and sizes. Some are micromanagers while others are absentees. Some are hot-tempered while others are passive-aggressive. But there are certain bad boss behaviors that are so toxic, they will make even the most loyal employees quit.
Women employees in particular find these 10 behaviors of a boss to be totally unacceptable that will have them running for the door.
| Bad Boss Behaviors | % of women find it unacceptable |
|---|---|
| Playing Favorites | 92% |
| Using Company Account for Personal Use | 85% |
| Taking Credit for Other Employee’s Work | 85% |
| Making Threats To Fire Employees | 84% |
| Mentioning Their Poor Performance to Co-Workers | 84% |
| Making Romantic Advances to Employees | 82% |
| Using Drugs or Alcohol At Work | 82% |
| Cancelling Meeting At The Last Minute | 81% |
| Poor Hygiene | 80% |
| Tardiness | 79% |
Read Also:
- When Is The Best Time and Day to Resign From Your Job? (Solved)
- How to Handle a Toxic Work Environment & Survive a Hostile Workplace
- 7 Types of Toxic Coworkers and How to Deal with Them at Work
- 21 Signs You Should Quit Your Job Immediately
- How to Deal With Narcissists at Work, When They Are Your Boss or Coworkers
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