I'm Asking: Is Your Boss the Biggest Cause of Stress at Work?

February 3, 2009

If it wasn't clear already, the special Super Bowl episode of The Office put a stop to any doubt that Michael Scott is the biggest source of stress to the employees at Dunder-Mifflin. Stanley's stress monitor proved that Michael makes everything worse for the Scranton branch workers, even if the conversation at hand isn't work related — which, let's be honest, is commonly the case at their office. Is your boss the number one cause of your stress?

Photo courtesy of NBC

29 Comments

carhornsinapril 4 years 14 weeks

YES. it's like my office is in an abusive relationship with my big boss -- how he happens to be feeling on a given day affects whether or not people will even approach him. the HR manager wouldn't ask him about an issue i had with my paycheck for 10 days, because he was in a bad mood. that trickles down to my manager, who does nothing to deflect the tension, and instead funnels it right down to us.these guys were preceded by my first boss, who was an understanding, collected, teaching-type, so it's been culture shock.

carhornsinapril 4 years 14 weeks

YES. it's like my office is in an abusive relationship with my big boss -- how he happens to be feeling on a given day affects whether or not people will even approach him. the HR manager wouldn't ask him about an issue i had with my paycheck for 10 days, because he was in a bad mood. that trickles down to my manager, who does nothing to deflect the tension, and instead funnels it right down to us. these guys were preceded by my first boss, who was an understanding, collected, teaching-type, so it's been culture shock.

sorrowja 4 years 15 weeks

My direct manager is cool and very understanding. I am stressed out twice a month when people want to submit information after the deadline. My bigger boss I don't really work with him that much and I try to stay away from him.

Anne26 4 years 15 weeks

No, its the co-workers that complain about their job and the ones that make every little thing drama for no reason. I hate people like that. If they complain so much they should not even be working at all. It drives me crazy and I think that's what causes more stress than a boss making sure everything is orderly. Honestly, you make yourself look lazy and stupid if you complain while working.

Spectra 4 years 15 weeks

Not at all. My boss is awesome! We work as a big team in our lab and we deal with the major stressors (right now it's flu season and the Salmonella outbreak) together. When we have a huge workload, we all pitch in and do extra stuff to get everything done. If anything, my boss does her best to make things LESS stressful for everyone.

Dhorwich 4 years 15 weeks

My current boss is great. Every once in a while we are grumpy and annoy one another but 99% of the time things run very smoothly. This is in great comparison to my previous boss who was a drug addict and alcoholic liar. Now THAT situation was the epitome of STRESS. I was drive to therapy and medication before I finally left that company. What a nightmare!

Dhorwich 4 years 15 weeks

Advah 4 years 15 weeks

Hmm yes and no. He can be pretty stressful at times, but I've been in the job for almost a year and I'm finally learning how to deal with his character. And once you know that, he's actually a really nice and understanding person to deal with - and he can be really funny too!

emalove 4 years 15 weeks

Not at all...I love my boss. She is fabulous.

mommygirl 4 years 15 weeks

No, the women are!!! Men hopefully at next job!!!

aimeeb 4 years 15 weeks

Nah more so my co workers with their lack of common respect. I work with mostly men and hearing their lewd remarks all day about websites and such is totally driving me insane.

Frenched 4 years 15 weeks

I would say no, she's not. She's very understanding and cool. She lets people do her job without micromanaging them. I think I've been very lucky when it comes to having a good boss.

sfprgirl 4 years 15 weeks

My manager is not a big stress causer, but my boss definitely is. Trying to work on how I can adapt my behavior to cause myself less stress. I like my job and don't want to be annoyed to get to work! Especially since I HAVE a job when so many others don't.

WeTheLiving 4 years 15 weeks

Heck yes! And not just for me, for everyone. People dread going to her office to ask her a question because they don't want to deal with her. When she takes a day off, everyone is so relaxed and happy.

MsWalton 4 years 15 weeks

As a state employee, the budget is always a concern. Never know if there will be a shortfall (like VA is experiencing now) or not. Other than that, my stupid, annoying co-workers are more annoying than stressful. Their lack of knowledge makes it hard for things to get done smoothly which adds stress on those who know what they're doing (ie. me).

starangel82 4 years 15 weeks

No! I've got a great boss. And I'm very fortunate for that.

sonya ina 4 years 15 weeks

He's definitely not my biggest stress at work, but like SDTransplant's boss, he definitely sets the tone of the office -- especially since we've only got 14 people working here.

SDTransplant 4 years 15 weeks

My immediate supervisor is a sweetheart but still holds us accountable. But my big boss...let's just say his mood sets the tone for the office for the day.

syako 4 years 15 weeks

Not at all. None of my bosses add stress to my job.I'm very very thankful for that!

syako 4 years 15 weeks

Not at all. None of my bosses add stress to my job. I'm very very thankful for that!

jelibeann 4 years 15 weeks

yes, definitely...I love what I do and where I work, but I shudder to think of how stressed out I feel when I'm here with her, considering this is probably the least stressful position I've ever worked...scary...countdown is on though...we are moving across the country in a year

ohkate 4 years 15 weeks

lucky for me my boss is awesome and relaxed. my husband's boss on the other hand, I'd like to go into his office and say a few choice words. unfortunately I've been told I need to hold my tongue and keep my thoughts to myself. ah well.

bluebellknoll 4 years 15 weeks

Not really, thank goodness! Sometimes he makes business decisions that drive me up the wall but that's a rare occasion. He's a good guy and very fair. I feel like I paid my dues for having a good boss because I used to work for a complete lunatic.

bluebellknoll 4 years 15 weeks

valancyjane 4 years 15 weeks

Good God, YES. She's new and we're still getting used to each other, so that's part of it, but she's such a micromanager, and I don’t think she trusts me to do anything. Which of course means I get nervous and screw up, validating her opinion. The other stressful part of my job is dealing with salespeople; their direct boss is my big boss, and he won’t rein them in when they do things to make my work harder. So in that way, too, my big boss is a stressor.

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29 Comments

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