Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Nearly half of British workers believe they could do a better job than their boss

Researchers find 44 per cent of disgruntled staff feel their current line manager is ineffective

Grant Bailey
Wednesday 22 November 2017 09:30 EST
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Millions of British workers reckon they could do a better job than their boss, a study has found.

Researchers found 44 per cent of disgruntled employees think they could be more effective than their current line manager if given the opportunity.

Two in five believe they could improve communication channels with other members of staff, and one third would take efforts to organise the workforce so tasks were distributed more equally.

A vengeful 20 per cent even admitted they would use their newfound clout to lay off inefficient members of staff.

Andrew Clarke, a spokesperson for Multilotto.co.uk, said: “Bosses are people too, but it’s difficult not to take issue when a manager malfunctions in the line of duty.

“A poor working relationship with your boss can have a rippling effect throughout other aspects of your life, so when things go awry it is easy to fantasise about a situation where you could take the power back and right workplace wrongs.

“Of course, there are better ways than others to vent this frustration, and spraying ‘Up yours, I quit’ on the boss’s car, like we did for a recent stunt, is probably down there with some of the least constructive methods or conflict resolution.”

The poll of 2,000 workers also found one in four are unsatisfied with how ‘The Big Man’ runs the operation while 13 per cent went as far as to say their boss is dangerously incompetent at their job.

Almost one in five think management works them too hard, and 17 per cent accused their boss of delegating too much of their own work out instead of doing it themselves.

One in ten Brits say their boss takes a ‘hands-off’ approach to their duties, while 12 per cent think their boss’s managerial style is hectic and ‘scattershot’.

It also emerged that 28 per cent have felt resentment towards their boss, most commonly stemming from an unfair punishment, while one in four hate their boss for making them work over their contracted hours.

A peeved 11 per cent have had holiday requests denied by their manager and one in ten has caused their boss to lose their temper.

As a result, one in ten workers confessed to quietly scheming to undermine the management in some way, while 41 per cent have stood up to their boss amid a difference of opinion.

As a result, one in five employees polled by OnePoll.com admitted daydreaming about slapping their resignation notice on their boss’s desk.

But 22 per cent of those would prefer to make their exit more abrupt, standing from their workstation and simply walking out on their responsibilities.

Some of the dislike is due to jealousy though with two in five employees admitting they are envious of their boss’s pay, while nine per cent crave the respect their manager commands.

The study also found one third of employees have left a job in the past as a direct result of their poor relationship with their boss, and 14 per cent are currently looking for a new position to escape their manager.

Multilotto recently sprayed a crude resignation note on the side of a white Mercedes in Leeds.

Mr Clarke added: “In our recent stunt we imagined an artistic way for someone to let their boss know they won’t be working their notice.

“We hope most employee-boss issues can be resolved through a call to HR, a cup of tea and an apology. But for when they can’t, there’s always spray paint.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in