ASSOCHAM Survey

CORPORATE/SURVEY

Majority of employees quit their “BOSSES” and not 

“JOBS”: ASSOCHAM Survey

Nearly 69% of corporate employees who quit their jobs complain about the indifferent attitude of their bosses or immediate supervisor while remaining move to a new position in the same company, according to a recent survey conducted by ASSOCHAM on the occasion of “Boss Day”.

The aforesaid findings are condensed at a random survey conducted by the associated chambers of commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on “Employees-Boss relationship” in which approximately 2,500 executives poured their responses on their preference of changing job while in work.

Around 55 per cent of the survey respondents fall under the age bracket of 20-29 years, followed by 30-39 years (26 per cent), 40-49 years (16 per cent), 50-59 years (2 per cent) and 60-69 years (approximately 1 per cent).

The survey conducted in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahemdabad, Hyderabd, Pune, Chandigarh, Dehradun etc. A little over 200 employee were selected from each city on an average. The survey was able to target corporate employees from 18 broad sectors, with maximum share contributed by employees from IT/ITes sector (17 per cent).

 Employees working in engineering and telecom sector contributed 9 per cent and 8 per cent respectively in the questionnaire. Nearly 6 per cent of the employees belonged from market research/KPO and media background each. Management, FMCG and Infrastructure sector employees share is 5 per cent each, in the total survey. Respondents from power and real estate sector contributed 4 per cent each. Employees from education and food& beverages sector provided a share of 3 per cent each. Advertising, manufacturing and textiles employees offered a share of 2 per cent each in the survey results.

Around 42% of employees have been a victim of workplace bullying and almost 56% are bullied by their boss. The survey also found public sector workers are most likely to experience workplace bullying (48%), followed by PSU (37%) and others (15%).

 The survey also reveals that the bad bosses could also lead to employee health problems. Around 62% of the respondents said that they have an abusive boss, such as humiliating and insulting employees or isolating them from co-workers.

 Workplace stress can be incredibly damaging to our health and quality of life. 

Survey shows that workplace stress:

• Increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.
• Increases the risk of insomnia, depression and anxiety.
• Weakens the immune defence
• Can cause chronic muscle pains and migraines.

Releasing the findings, the ASSOCHAM Secretary General Mr. D S Rawat said that the careful selection of employees and managers can have a huge impact on the employee retention and turnover of the organization.

The most of respondents said they are moving because of management, supervisors or the general work environment of the company (56%), career advancement or promotional opportunities (24%), while 12% said they feel misfit. Much smaller percentages quit because of flexibility or scheduling (6%) or job security (2%).

Over 58% of respondent of the private sectors have admitted to being the victim of bullying say that their boss was the perpetrator, disclosed the survey.

About 82% of respondents said that a good work environment was often much more important than their current pay level. Workers are quitting their jobs and even switching to another career because they’re fed-up with their current boss, adds the chamber survey.

The survey indicated that the qualities of a good manager are approachable (83 per cent), a good communicator (82 per cent), supportive (81 per cent), a good leader (80 per cent) and someone who respects their staff as individuals (76 per cent).

Working under a bad boss, employee’s loss of motivation (49 per cent), productivity (28 per cent), (15 per cent) taking ‘sickies’, (8 per cent) as avoidance tactic, adds the Secretary General.

Aged bewteen21 to 35 are more likely to consider their managers their personal friend than those aged 35 or over (56% versus 24%). Older workers are more likely than younger workers to consider their managers their equal (54% versus 24%), while younger workers are more likely to consider their managers their superior (37% versus 22%), add the survey findings.

Employee’s works under poor bosses are less likely to give the extra effort, additional tasks; work longer hours are generally less satisfied with their boss. While those employees who are dissatisfied with their current job conditions are likely to refuse outright, or demand costly compensation for their efforts.

 “Bosses should be great motivators, innovators, and leaders, who inspire the team members to achieve great things, also treat employees fairly and with respect”, said Mr. Rawat.

 Bad bosses are bad for business. The common bad boss behaviors identifying:

·         Bullying

·         Incompetence

·         Harassment and discrimination

·         Inadequate compensation

·         Not respecting your legal rights

·         Privacy invasion

Reasons to score poorly are varied and many:

·         49% of workers said their supervisor failed to keep promises

·         43% indicated their supervisor failed to give credit when due

·         32% said their supervisor gave them the “silent treatment” during the past year

·         25% report their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers

·         21% indicated their boss invaded their privacy

·         Men are more likely to consider their manager their personal friend than   women.

·         Older workers are more likely than younger workers to consider their manager their equal.

·         Younger workers are more likely than older workers to consider their manager their superior.