"Nightmare" Bosses Not a Concern for Most Workers, According to New Monster.com Poll

MAYNARD, Mass., Sep 16, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With all eyes on notorious bosses like Michael Scott on the hit TV show "The Office," Monster.com(R), the leading job matching engine and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), recently polled its U.S. visitors to gauge their feelings towards bosses and the decisions they make. The polls' findings reflect an increasing tolerance among Americans for "nightmare" bosses, an increasing willingness to accept less, namely in the form of bonus/compensation and a need for companies to be more flexible when it comes to issues such as working remotely. Monster's August poll posed the following questions, and yielded quite interesting results.

  • One August poll asked, "What would your 'nightmare' boss have to do to make you quit your dream job?" and found that 41 percent of respondents would never quit a job because of their relationship with a supervisor. Of the other 1,194 respondents, 25 percent said that getting "hot and cold" feedback would drive them away, while 24 percent said constant negative performance reviews would make them leave.
  • The August poll also asked Americans that if they could spy or eavesdrop on their boss without getting caught, would they? More than half of the 2,153 respondents (57 percent) said they want to know what their bosses are saying about them behind closed doors. Only 12 percent say they would not eavesdrop on their boss because they are afraid of what they might hear.
  • A total of 2,149 people responded to the August poll that put workers in their bosses' shoes and asked, "If you were CEO for a day, which of the following policies would you change first?" Monster found that 38 percent of respondents would make it easier for current employees to move up or transfer within the company, while 36 percent of workers want more flexibility to work the hours they want remotely. Nine percent of Americans would increase the budget for their department and 17 percent would create better company benefits.
  • When asked, "Would you switch places with your boss if given the chance?," 60 percent of the 1,290 respondents said they were up to the challenge. Interestingly, nine percent responded that they would have to learn more first since they are not really sure what their boss does.
  • Another August poll found that Americans are appreciative of any sort of bonus, now more than ever before. According to the poll, "Would you be insulted by a low bonus?," 39 percent of the nearly 3,000 respondents said that in this economic climate, any type of bonus is welcome. Only five percent of workers said they would rather have no bonus than a low bonus.

In sum, according to Monster's August poll findings, current economic conditions and an uncertain job market have changed Americans' perceptions of their supervisors. The perceptions of American workers will be interesting to monitor going forward, as the economy begins to turn around - particularly if workers adopt a more critical view of their bosses and the decisions they make.

The Monster U.S. Polls are an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. This poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those internet users who have chosen to participate. Polls remain on the web site for one week at a time.

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster, the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500 index. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit http://www.monster.com. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://www.about-monster.com.

 

SOURCE: Monster Worldwide, Inc. 

Press:
Monster Worldwide, Inc.
Matthew Henson, 978-823-2627
Matthew.Henson@monster.com
or
Zora Falkowski, 617-897-8247
Zora.Falkowski@porternovelli.com