As IT professionals, we know that sometimes it’s easier to concentrate on the technology and tools than personnel aspects. However, when offering “thanks” to Loretta, Dave, and Brian earlier this week, I thought it would be interesting to consider a 2012 survey, which seems to indicate a fair amount of dissatisfaction around the subject in the general workplace. Consider the following survey results:
- Only 36% of respondents are happy at their job.
- 65% say a better boss would make them happy, while 35% choose a pay raise instead.
- 31% feel uninspired and unappreciated by their boss. Nearly 15% feel downright miserable, bored, and lonely. [Ouch!]
- Only 38% describe their boss as “great.” 42% say their bosses don’t work very hard. Close to 20% say their boss has little or no integrity.
- Almost 60% say they would do a better job if they got along better with their boss.
- Close to 70% said they would be happier at work if they got along better with their boss, with the breakdown equal among men and women, but younger workers in their 20s and 30s skewed even higher (80%).
- Over half (55%) think they would be more successful in their career if they got along better with their boss.
- In terms of the impact a boss has on employee health, 73% of those in their 20s and 30s said their health is at stake, while only 40% of those 50 and older felt that way.
- When stress levels rise at work, a disturbing 47% say their boss does not stay calm and in control – although 70% of boomers said their boss doesn’t lose his/her cool in times of stress.
- And finally, only 38% said they would thank their boss on National Bosses Day, with most believing that their boss wouldn’t care, so why bother? Close to 10% said they would use the day as an opportunity to talk to their boss and improve the relationship.
So, the question is: how do you feel about your boss (and what, if anything, are you prepared to do about it)? If you supervise others, how do you think your employees feel about you? Apart from sleeping, we spend more time at work than doing anything else... shouldn’t we enjoy it?
Think about what you might do for (not to!) your boss to let them know that you appreciate them. If you are a boss, think about doing the same for your staff. You might be amazed at what one small step can do to help make things better for everyone.
