I’ve been hearing a lot about bosses lately. In fact, the media tends to be a bit obsessed with them. Undercover Boss is a hit show on CBS; Warner Bros. made not just one, but two films about just how horrible bosses can be; and TIME magazine recently published a piece titled “If You Think Your Boss Is Horrible, You’re Probably Right.”
Take note — two of these included “horrible” in the title, and that’s not surprising. In fact, when it comes to employee turnover, a Gallup poll of more than 1 million U.S. workers deduced that the top reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss.
So how can you ensure your company’s employee turnover isn’t a result of a “horrible boss?” Here are some top signs you may have a bad supervisor in your midsts.
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When there’s an issue, he or she always blames those below him or her, instead of taking responsibility.
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When a mistake is made, he or she seems indifferent.
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He or she talks bad about other employees behind their backs.
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You rarely, if ever, hear them offer praise about others.
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He or she doesn’t seem to know the answers to questions he or she should be plugged into.
These are just some signs to look out for. However, looking at those under a boss can be very telling as well. If they clearly respect what their supervisor has to say and work hard for him or her, that’s a sign you have a good boss on staff.
This issue is an important one because employee turnover can be costly. According to Gallup, it’s estimated that replacing an employee costs a business one-half to five times that employee’s annual salary. As a result, ensuring your supervisors are good ones is not just smart — it’s business savvy.
Rachel Zabonick is the Editor of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@clubsolutionsmagazine.com. Reach out to her about exciting events or programs your club has implemented, or to share the amazing accomplishments of a member.
