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Employees ‘doubt managers’ competence’

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20 June 2011

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Most employees regularly take decisions at work they do not feel qualified or trained to make, leaving them feeling stressed out, according to a new report.

Many workers blame their bosses, accusing them of a lack of competence, research for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) suggested.

The survey of 2,000 employees across the UK showed that 55% do not think their managers show the right levels of confidence or possess sufficient ability to do their jobs.

A lack of effective management and leadership is leading to a “downbeat” attitude in the workplace, the report said.

Two out of five of those questioned said their boss’s behaviour increased stress levels, a third complained that their manager negatively affected enjoyment of their job, and one in 10 blamed a manager for declining health.

One of the biggest concerns was that employees felt their bosses were unapproachable, with two-thirds saying they wanted to ask their boss for help making a decision recently but had not been given the opportunity.

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive of the CMI, said: “Today’s results prove that managers must do more to meet their teams’ needs, if UK plc is to thrive.

“It is key that managers demonstrate both competence and confidence in their role if they are to make certain their teams are engaged and reaching their full potential.”

Copyright © Press Association 2011