Many employees like their bosses, but managers still have much work to do, according to new research from staffing firm Accountemps. Nearly two in three workers (64 percent) said they are happy with their supervisors, and another 29 percent are somewhat happy with their bosses. On the flip side, a third of workers have left a job due to a strained or dysfunctional relationship with a boss. The survey also found most professionals (67 percent) don’t aspire their boss’s job.

1. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
The State of the
Manager-Employee Relationship
Based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. workers.

2. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Are you generally happy with your
current boss?
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Workers’ Responses:*
Total 18 – 34
years old
35 – 54
years old
55+
years old
Yes 64% 61% 58% 71%
Somewhat 29% 34% 30% 23%
No 8% 5% 12% 5%
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

3. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Total 18 – 34
years old
35 – 54
years old
55+
years old
Yes, my boss is very aware of
the challenges I face.
50% 54% 43% 55%
Somewhat, my boss is in
the loop on challenges I
face but not as involved
with day-to-day details.
34% 32% 39% 31%
No, my boss has little
understanding of my
day-to-day reality.
16% 15% 18% 14%
Does your boss understand the demands
of your job?
3
Workers’ Responses:*
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

4. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Does your boss recognize your potential?
4
Workers’ Responses:*
Total 18 – 34
years old
35 – 54
years old
55+
years old
Yes 57% 49% 53% 67%
Somewhat 35% 43% 39% 25%
No 8% 8% 7% 8%
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

5. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Which best describes your relationship
with your boss?
5
Workers’ Responses:
Perfectly professional.
We work well together and have a
mutual respect in the office, but
that's where it ends.
61%
Close.
We have a great working relationship in
the office, and I also consider him/her a
friend.
23%
Distant.
We have little day-to-day interaction. 13%
Non-existent.
I don't feel connected to my boss, and it
gets in the way of my career growth.
3%

6. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
What do you wish your boss
was better at?
6
Workers’ Responses:*
Communicating 37%
Recognizing my accomplishments 31%
Helping me progress in my career 25%
Listening 25%
Standing up for me in difficult situations 24%
Promoting work-life balance 22%
Other 17%
*Multiple responses allowed.

7. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Have you ever left a job you were
otherwise happy at because of a strained
or dysfunctional relationship with your
boss?
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Workers’ Responses:
Total 18 – 34
years old
35 – 54
years old
55+
years old
Yes 34% 33% 39% 29%
No 66% 67% 61% 71%

8. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Total 18 – 34
years old
35 – 54
years old
55+
years old
Happy 17% 24% 20% 7%
It wouldn’t matter to me 34% 39% 34% 30%
Disappointed and
would consider leaving
the company as well
12% 10% 11% 13%
Disappointed but would
stay with the company
37% 26% 34% 50%
If your current boss left the company, how
you would feel?
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Workers’ Responses:*
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

9. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Would you want your current boss’s job?
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Workers’ Responses:
Total 18 – 34
years old
35 – 54
years old
55+
years old
Yes 33% 56% 34% 13%
No 67% 44% 66% 87%

10. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
What is the primary reason you wouldn’t
want your boss’s job?
10
Workers’ Responses:*
I don’t want the
added responsibility
and stress
(hours and workload)
45%
I don’t want to
manage people
27%
I like my current job
duties too much
21%
Other 7%
*Asked of respondents who answered the previous question, “No, I don’t want my boss’s job.”

11. © 2016 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.
For more information about Accountemps, including
job search services and the company’s blog, visit
roberthalf.com/accountemps
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