10 ways toxic bosses drive their employees away

7. They don’t respect employees’ time

“Everyone’s time is valuable, regardless of position. When a manager regularly contacts employees outside of business hours, keeps them on calls beyond end of business day, and cancels meetings last minute, they are telling employees that their time is not important. Even more, they communicate an expectation that employees be available 24/7, leading to higher stress levels.”

8. They are constantly testing

“Nobody wants to walk on eggshells all the time. A reasonable amount of employee testing is to be expected in the beginning stages of the manager and subordinate relationship, but if that testing continues indefinitely it leads to tension and distrust. Managers who criticise after the fact instead of coaching immediately, or who say things like ‘I wanted to see what you would say/do’, encourage resentment and uncertainty in employees who want to succeed.”