Robert Half says offending boss behaviours include being hard to reach, micromanaging, or being too hands-off

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’ve ever heard the saying “people leave managers, not companies,” you might be interested to know it appears to be true, at least some of the time.

A survey for staffing firm Robert Half finds two-in-five workers in Canada have quit because of what it describes as a “bad boss.”

“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,” David King, senior district director for Robert Half, says in a release.

Offending boss behaviours include being hard to reach, micromanaging, or — on the other end of the spectrum — leaving the managing to others.

“Those managers on the other end of the scale — the ones who provide vague direction or leave tough decisions to other people all the time — are another reason why good employees leave,” the firm says, adding workers want someone who can lead them, as well as help direct them.

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