9 Common Behaviors of Bad Bosses, According to the Harris Poll

It’s hard not to notice when a toxic coworker comes barreling through the office door. However, that’s the least frequent part of a workplace dynamic. Bad boss behavior is much more common than you might realize. According to a survey conducted by the Harris Poll, 71% of American workers report that they have had at least one toxic boss during their career. Another 31% report that they have a toxic boss right now. 

When bosses break the rules 

Despite keeping a confident professional veneer, even high-level leaders are guilty of straying from the line of acceptable workplace behavior from time to time. Due to their positional power, bosses can be more comfortable breaking the rules—a practice undoubtedly frustrating for the employees who report to them. 

The truth is, bosses should be setting an example, not displaying bad behavior themselves. If you’re a boss, you should be acting as a role model for your employees. But what if you’re not? And if you’re not, how can you be sure?  

The most common behaviors of bad bosses 

According to the Harris Poll survey, these are the most common bad boss behaviors. Do you recognize any in yourself? 

1. Sets unreasonable expectations – 51% 
2. Gets too involved in the details of an employee’s job when it isn’t necessary – 49% 
3. Gives unfair preferential treatment to certain team members – 49% 
4. Gives an impression of being unapproachable – 49% 
5. Does not give credit to team members when appropriate – 48% 
6. Takes credit for the ideas of others – 45% 
7. Engages in unprofessional behavior, e.g., inappropriate language – 45% 
8. Assigns blame to others to protect themselves – 43% 
9. Discriminates against employees for specific characteristics – 33% 

What this means for leaders 

To the chagrin of workers everywhere, it seems that the individuals in positions of authority are—more often than you might like to think—guilty of not always behaving well themselves. Unfortunately, if you engage in any of these behaviors as a leader, you’re being more than a minor annoyance to your people—you’re chipping away at the trust and respect they have for you. 

If you’re a leader, this list should serve as a bit of a mirror. Employees notice everything. When you set the standard high for others, you need to practice what you preach. Remember: Just because you see your own boss doing something, it doesn’t mean it’s OK for you to do it too. Your integrity is what will keep people following you in the long run.