Picking on bosses is always fun, but let’s give them a fair shake and list their pet peeves about employees.
Here’s the list from a survey conducted by CNNMoney.com:
1. “I feel ill … on Fridays … at the end of the year.” Managers said, yes, they disliked sick-leave abuse, but what they hated more was the idea that employees think the boss doesn’t notice when sick days tie in with a weekend or come at the end of a year when employees get into a “use or lose” situation.
2. “Wristwatches are s-o-o-o-o 20th century.” More and more often, managers say, employees don’t seem to understand the concept of being on time – whether it’s about getting to work in the morning, lunch or deadlines. Although, the bosses add, most of those same employees don’t seem to have a problem with the concept of “quitting time.”
3. “Let me introduce you to your new workmates – soap and water.” What can you say about employees who smell bad? Well, managers said they (a) hated the idea and (b) hated worse the idea of having to inform someone of that fact.
4. “Hey, I like the ‘My Sharona’ ringtone as much as the next person, but …” Continually ringing cell phones, and employees who continually answer them, drive managers crazy. Truth is, they drive everyone crazy.
5. “I can never remember: Did Moses build the ark or take a bite out of the apple?” Employees who can’t keep facts and details straight, and who often mislead bosses because of it, are doomed to careers that sink faster than the Queen Mary. Or was it the Enola Gay? Whatever.
6. “The sun’s shining – I’ll probably get sunburned.” People who always see negative in any situation are toxic to managers. You know the type: They look at a full moon and wonder what the dark side is like.
7. “Who needs eBay? I have my job.” There are unsubstantiated reports of managers’ heads exploding after reading the 15th all-employees e-mail selling Girl Scout cookies, reduced-price tickets to pro wrestling and “hardly driven” used cars.
