Nearly 40% of Canadian office workers have quit a job because of their boss

Nearly two out of every five professionals working in Canada have quit a job because of a bad boss, a survey has shown.

Staffing firm Robert Half, which conducted the research, said there appears to be some truth to the saying that “people leave managers, not companies.”

“Managers set the tone for the office and have a considerable amount of influence over the daily experiences and satisfaction of their employees ― for better or worse,” said David King, senior district director for Robert Half.

Of the 400 office workers surveyed, 39% said they’d left a job because of their manager.

King added: “When supervisors show genuine enthusiasm for projects or new initiatives, and encourage open and frequent communication in the workplace, staff feel more engaged, and better supported in day-to-day challenges.

“Employee appreciation is also a powerful motivator. The more valued workers feel, the more likely they are to stick around.

“Even small gestures like providing regular feedback, and ‘thanks’ for a job well-done help staff recognize their impact on the business, while demonstrating an active interest in their professional growth and success.”

The firm mentioned three ways in which a bad boss can push out staff:

• They are hard to reach: “Staff who can’t count on a timely reply are likely to be continually frustrated and may eventually seek greener pastures.”

• They micromanage: “Bosses who require constant updates and give overly detailed directions on how work should be done can exasperate employees. It also shows workers that you don’t believe they can make good decisions on their own.”

• They leave managing to others: “Workers want a leader who leads and offers insight they may not have, not someone who just occupies an office.”