Bosses from hell

Reports on the proliferation of bad bosses in the workplace. Opinion of management guru Jim Miller in his book 'Best Boss, Worst Boss'; Eavesdropping on office gossip; Prevention of employees from calling 911 when an accident happens in the workplace; Imposition of time limits on employee visits to the bathroom.

By Jay Dixit, Peter Doskoch, published on September 01, 1996

OFFICE

Hate your boss? You're not alone. Just ask management guru Jim Miller, director of the International Best Boss/Worst Boss Contest. Despite its name, the competition has become more a forum for abused workers to let off steam about insufferable supervisors than a chance to salute corporate good guys. Last year, "bad boss" entries outnumbered the positive tributes seven to one.

"I don't really believe that the ratio of bad to good bosses is that lopsided," says Miller. "Instead, I think it's Just human nature to spend more time complaining than praising."

Maybe so. In his book, Best Boss, Worst Boss, Miller balances each office horror story with a touching tale of managerial magnificence, stressing that for every Scrooge there is a Santa--and that inside every dictator are the makings of a humanitarian. But as much as hearing about office saints might warm our hearts, the evil employers are decidedly more fun to read about. And disgruntled nine-to-fivers can take heart in knowing that there are worse bosses out there. Some examples:

o A "Big Brother" who tapped company phonelines, rummaged through the garbage, and hid in closets to eavesdrop on office gossip--all to smoke out disloyal workers.

o A tyrant so concerned with productivity that he prevented employees from calling 911 when an elderly engineer died at his desk around three o'clock. Rather than disrupt office routine, this office despot didn't inform paramedics until five o'clock.

o A control freak who imposed two-minute limits on his underlings' bathroom visits--and came in after them if they went overtime.

ILLUSTRATION