What behaviours are unacceptable for a good manager?
Work occupies a significant part of modern people's lives.
Work occupies a significant part of modern people's lives.
We spend most of the workhours making new acquaintances, finding development opportunities, and realising our ambitions. In this case, the most crucial role in our success and professional achievements is played not only by the place of work and the position occupied but also by the management, i.e., the line manager, supervisor, or director. The work team reports to the boss, sets tasks, assesses the quality of their fulfilment, monitors discipline, and pays our salaries. In other words, our career prospects, financial well-being, and psychological state depend on this person.
Although today the development of management and leadership skills is the most sought-after area of training, such a phenomenon as a "bad boss" still thrives and is found in all labour markets. Such bosses, who cause people to quit even their seemingly favourite and satisfying jobs, are called "toxic". In this article, we will look at what behaviours make an employer a "toxic" employer, what is unacceptable in the workplace, and what you don't have to put up with.
First, starting your career and getting a job for the first time, studying the introductory provisions of labour law is necessary. It will help you to protect yourself as much as possible from a fraudulent or abusive employer later. There is even a special guide to international labour standards, which got developed by a UN unit to regulate the relations between employees and employers. This document describes how a properly drafted employment contract should look like and what obligations both parties should fulfil. For example, it says the employer has no legal right to do the following:
Only the most basic and universal clauses of employment contracts are listed here. In other words, the employer has no right to the actions listed above. Nevertheless, the rights of employers can be extensive if each clause is in the employment contract. For example, requiring employees to comply with the dress code is entirely legal. Employees who violate the established rules on appearance or labour regulations may be reprimanded or even fired. Employers also have the right to downsize employees, use polygraphs to check employees' honesty during hiring, and regularly check their employees' health. Thus, the rights of employers largely depend on the drafted labour contract. Therefore, before signing it, carefully familiarise yourself with the document, and read the rights and obligations of both parties. Do not be afraid to clarify unclear points and even ask to change the issues that do not suit you.
However, this concerns the official, documented relationship between employees and employers. But there are also so-called ethical norms, which are also often violated. So what is unacceptable for a good boss regarding human relations and labour psychology?
Various company employees often face illegal fines, delayed wages, unpaid overtime, and ethical violations. Thus, employees may witness or be victimised by:
Discrimination
It still exists despite international labour standards prohibiting discrimination in employment relationships. Women often face discrimination at work because gender stereotypes continue to exist and complicate women's career paths. Additionally, there is discrimination based on gender and age, and it is no less widespread. It is especially pronounced in matters of hiring, promotion and pay. However, a competent and experienced manager knows that professional achievements and successes do not depend on gender, sexual preferences, or age but solely on intellectual capabilities, persistence, and desire to achieve results.
Insults and ridicule
Regularly raising your voice at employees is also not the norm, even if your boss yells at you. Unfortunately, this method is still practised in many teams, even though its ineffectiveness and highly negative consequences have long been proven. In addition, inappropriate and sarcastic remarks to subordinates, which the head can present in the form of jokes, are considered unacceptable. Remember that sarcastic reproaches are improper. The manager's observations and comments should not make team members feel uncomfortable.
Blackmail and threats
Often bosses resort to blackmail and intimidation of subordinates to achieve their goals, self-assertion, and satisfaction of a sense of vanity. However, threats of dismissal, demotion, and fines are unusual for a good manager because they know that working in such a psychological climate will bring nothing but emotional burnout and chronic stress.
Violations of subordination
The desire to be closer to the team does not cancel the rules of subordination. For effective leadership, it is necessary to maintain a distance from your team while always being ready to help and provide support. An experienced leader knows that employees must get reminded that their loyalty does not mean familiarity and permissiveness.
Devaluing employees and taking credit for their achievements
It would be unacceptable for a competent leader to disregard subordinates' achievements and professional successes while scolding them for the slightest mistakes or blunders. In a healthy team, the work of all employees should be judged on merit, which is often forgotten by bad bosses. Also, a characteristic feature of an inexperienced leader is the appropriation of the merits of other employees. Most often, they think that if the task could not be solved and the company lost customers or investors, then these are all omissions and mistakes of team members. And if things are good, then this, of course, is down to the leadership. With a great leader, however, this does not happen. A good boss understands that business develops and prospers thanks to well-coordinated teamwork.
Abrupt mood shifts and leading by emotion
Bad bosses are often guided by emotions when making decisions. Their plans and behaviour also depend on the disposition of the spirit. All this suggests that the person is emotionally and mentally unstable, which means they may behave unrestrainedly and lose control over themselves and external circumstances.
Lack of respect for employees
Ineffective leaders usually do not respect or pay attention to their team members. A true leader should be able to listen to their employees, learn from them and respect everyone they work with. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the employees to respect their leader because all employees want to feel significant and valuable and consider their opinion essential and weighty. When employees feel trust and respect for themselves, they will respect and trust their boss.
Learning by topic
Among other things, there are several other common traits that bad bosses possess that are considered unacceptable for good bosses. Among them are:
Thus, an incompetent manager can turn a favourite job into an unbearable place. Therefore, responding to non-compliance with the labour contract and ethical violations is especially important because employee productivity, compliance culture, business reputation and company development depend on it.
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