Signs of a lazy boss are pretty easy to spot. You might notice that your boss always takes extended breaks, comes in late, or leaves early.
What will I learn?
A lazy boss is often uninvolved in what’s happening in the office and delegates most of the work to their employees.
14 Apparent Signs Of A Lazy Boss
Several signs can indicate your boss is lazy. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. They’re Always Taking Extended Breaks:
If your boss is always taking extended breaks, it’s a sign that they’re not fully committed to their job.
Instead of working, they’re choosing to take personal time for themselves.

This can be frustrating for employees who are trying to get work done and don’t have the luxury of taking long breaks.
Moreover, it sends a message to the team that their work is not a priority for the boss.
The boss essentially says, “I don’t care about this work enough to do it myself. I’ll just let you all handle it.”
And that’s not the kind of leadership most people want to follow.
2. Lazy Boss Is Always Coming in Late or Leaving Early:
If your boss frequently comes in late or leaves early, they’re not invested in their job.
They’re not putting in the extra hours to get the work done. And they’re not sticking around to manage their team.
This can create a lot of stress for employees who feel like they have to pick up the slack.
It can also be frustrating for employees who need help from their boss. And they can’t get it because they’re never around.
Moreover, it can erode trust between the boss and their team. The team may not feel like they can rely on their boss to be there for them.
3. They’re Uninvolved In What’s Going On In The Office:
A lazy boss is often uninvolved in what’s happening in the office. They might not know what’s happening with projects or deadlines.
And they might not be aware of any problems that employees are having. Or, they’re aware of the issues but don’t care enough to do anything about it.
It can also lead to a feeling of being unappreciated. If the boss doesn’t care about what’s happening, why should the employees?
This can frustrate employees who feel like their boss is out of touch.
Moreover, it can lead to projects being delayed or missed altogether. It is because the boss wasn’t aware of them.
4. Lazy Boss Delegate Most Of The Work To Their Employees:
A lazy boss delegates most of the work to their employees. They might give them too much work.
Or, they might not give them enough information to complete the work correctly.
Not only does such delegation cause irritability for employees. But it can also cause errors and mistakes.
This is because their boss does not give the employees the proper guidance.
And if the employees make mistakes, it will reflect poorly on the boss.
5. They’re Not Willing To Train Employees:
Without proper training, employees will be unable to do their jobs properly.
And a lazy boss is often not willing to train their employees. They might think it’s a waste of time.

Or, they might not want to be bothered with it. This can lead to employees feeling lost and confused.
And it can also lead to them making mistakes. As we’ve already established, this will reflect poorly on the boss.
For instance, if an employee is not adequately trained in using the company’s software. They might make mistakes that cost the company money.
6. Lazy Boss Is Not Willing To Make Decisions:
Unwillingness to make decisions is another sign of a lazy boss.
They might avoid making decisions because they don’t want to be accountable.
Or, they might make decisions without consulting their employees first. If the boss constantly changes their mind, it can also lead to confusion.
Transparency is lacking, making it difficult for employees to trust their boss.
For instance, the boss might say yes if an employee asks for a raise. But then they might change their mind and say no.
Without a clear and consistent decision-making process, it’s hard for employees to know what to expect from their boss.
7. They’re Not Available When You Need Them:
If you need to talk to your boss but are never available, it’s a sign that they’re lazy.
They’re not doing their job if they’re not available to their employees. Employees always need to feel like they can talk to their boss.
But if the boss is never around, it can be difficult for employees to feel comfortable talking to them.
For instance, if an employee is having a problem with a project, they might need to talk to their boss about it.
But if the boss is never around, the employee might not perform well. And the project can fail.
8. They’re Not Willing To Listen To Employees:
A lazy boss is often not willing to listen to their employees. They might think they know everything.
Or, they might not care about what their employees have to say. This can lead to employees feeling like their opinions don’t matter.
And it can also lead to resentment towards their boss. For instance, if an employee has an excellent idea for a project, they might want to share it with their boss.
But if the boss doesn’t listen, the employee might feel like their opinion doesn’t matter.
And they might not want to share their ideas in the future.
9. Lazy Boss Is Not Willing To Take Responsibility For Their Actions:
A lazy boss doesn’t want to take responsibility for their actions. They might blame their employees for their own mistakes.
Or, they might try to cover up their mistakes instead of admitting them. Employees will feel like they’re not valued.
And it can also lead to employees feeling like the boss is not competent.
For instance, if a project fails, the boss might try to blame the employees.
But the project might not have failed if the boss had made better decisions.
Taking responsibility for their actions is a sign of a good leader. And it’s something that a lazy boss is often unwilling to do.
10. They’re Always Taking Credit For Other People’s Work
A lazy boss is quick to take credit for other people’s work. They might take credit for an employee’s idea.
Or, they might take credit for a project completed by their team.
This can lead to employees feeling like their boss is stealing their ideas.

For instance, if an employee comes up with a great idea, the boss might take credit for it.
And due to that, the employee might not get the recognition they deserve.
Bosses need to give credit where it’s due. It is not fair to take credit for someone else’s hard work.
11. They Are Often Caught Asleep:
You might catch your boss fast asleep occasionally. This might be during a meeting or while they’re supposed to be working on a project.
It can be embarrassing for employees to see their boss sleeping.
And it can also lead to employees feeling like their boss doesn’t care about their work.
For instance, if an employee is presenting a project to their boss. And the boss falls asleep, it can be very embarrassing.
The employee might not want to work on the project anymore. And they might not want to work for the boss either.
12. Lazy Boss Is Often Disorganized:
A lazy boss is often disorganized. This might mean that they’re always late for meetings.
Or, it might mean that they can’t find important documents. Being disorganized is nothing less than annoying.
For instance, if an employee is to meet with their boss at 10 AM. But the boss is always late.
The employee’s motivation might start to decline. They might feel like their boss doesn’t value their time.
13. They’re Always Making Excuses:
A lazy boss is constantly making excuses. They might make excuses for why they’re late.
Or, they might make excuses for why a project is not done. Making excuses not only shows that the boss is lazy.
But it also shows that they’re not competent. For instance, if a project is due at the end of the week.
And the boss hasn’t even started it. They might make an excuse like “I’ve been too busy.”
But the truth is, they’re just lazy and not willing to do the work.
14. They’re Never Willing To Help:
A lazy boss is never willing to help. No matter the problem, they’re always quick to say, “That’s not my job.”
Or, they might say, “I’m too busy to help you with that.” Without a doubt, this is one of the most annoying things about having a lazy boss.

For instance, if an employee is struggling with a project. They might go to their boss for help.
But the boss will say that it’s not their job. And they’ll refuse to help. This not only succumbs to employees.
But it also shows that the boss doesn’t care about their employees.
Are Lazy Bosses That Bad?
There’s no denying that having a lazy boss can be frustrating. But is it that bad?
Well, it depends. If you can work around your boss’s laziness, then it might not be so bad.
For instance, if your boss is always late for meetings. But they’re still getting their work done.
Then it might not be a big deal, however, if your boss’s laziness impacts your work.
Then it might be time to look for a new job because you deserve to work for a boss that values your time and effort.
Conclusion:
All in all, these are some of the signs of a lazy boss. If you’re having trouble with a lazy boss, these are some things to look out for.
Just remember, a lazy boss is not only annoying. But they can also be detrimental to your career.
So, it’s essential to deal with them in the best way possible.
Last Updated on 12 months by Shahzaib Arshad
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Aleena
I am Aleena N. Amjad. With a business background, I have an inclination towards raising awareness of workplace issues as catering to them helps you excel in your career.
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FAQs
What are toxic signs of a boss? ›
- Jealous of their team's success.
- Constantly concerned about competition or workplace “enemies”
- Often take credit for other people's work.
- Constantly compare themselves to others.
- Consider their self-worth to be solely driven by their latest results.
Bad bosses ignore feedback.
A bad boss doesn't ask for – or want – feedback from employees. They also aren't likely to give effective professional feedback. Employees don't feel the boss has an open-door policy; the boss treats team members poorly if they want to discuss problems.
Signs of a bad manager are undesirable leadership traits that cause friction between supervisors and employees. For example, micromanagement, conflict avoidance, and credit-stealing. The purpose of pointing out these qualities is to help managers avoid pitfalls and lead teams more successfully.
What is an example of an unprofessional manager? ›Oversharing information: An unprofessional manager may share private information about their lives or they may talk about something going on in their family's or friends' lives. Gossiping about others: Unprofessional behavior could mean listening to gossip and spreading rumors about other managers or employees.
How do you tell if you are being pushed out of your job? ›- You're being micromanaged. ...
- Your workload has been reduced. ...
- You're excluded from important meetings. ...
- You're being ignored. ...
- Your efforts aren't recognized.
You should stand up to your boss in a one-on-one meeting with them – not in front of others. Ideally, you should schedule this meeting during a relative down time in the office, when the boss isn't dealing with some kind of crisis, Dewett said.
How do you outsmart a toxic manager? ›- Give them feedback. Some managers might not be aware of just how toxic their actions are, Casciaro says. ...
- Try understanding (not excusing) their behavior. ...
- 3. Make other connections. ...
- Cultivate self-care. ...
- Ask for help. ...
- Join forces with others. ...
- Get TF out.
Bad managers lead to low engagement. Low engagement leads to declining productivity and higher turnover. If decreased productivity and increased turnover aren't reasons enough to stop the practice of having bad managers, consider this: bad managers lead to increased stress, major health issues, and even death.
What are some red flags which indicate you re working in a toxic workplace? ›“If you're hearing phrases like “we've never done it this way before,” or “we don't have the resources to do that,” or even “this isn't how we do things around here,” then you have a problem. These are all red flags that signal a lack of vision, and the beginning of an unhealthy workplace.”
What skills do most managers lack? ›Communication. Often hailed as the No. 1 skill for managers to learn, 10.2% of employees find their manager lacking when it comes to communication.
What is the hardest role of a manager? ›
Letting employees go
This will probably always be the hardest part of any manager's job – and it's something you never want to get too comfortable doing. Unfortunately, there's no easy way around this one and it doesn't become any easier, no matter how much experience you have.
- Poor communication. One top weakness for managers is poor communication. ...
- Not listening to employees. Another manager weakness is not listening to employees. ...
- Low confidence. ...
- Overworking and not delegating. ...
- Poor decision-making. ...
- Inability to motivate teams. ...
- Low adaptivity. ...
- Unclear expectations.
- “I don't pay you so I can do your job” or “Can't you just figure this out?” ...
- “You're lucky you work here” or “You're lucky to have this job” ...
- “We already tried that” or “This is how we've always done it” ...
- “No” ...
- “I'll take that under consideration”
Examples of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace include: harassment - offensive, belittling or threatening behaviour that is unsolicited, and may be repeated. bullying - repeated abusive and offensive behaviour, which in some circumstances may involve inappropriate physical behaviour.
What are the six common types of problematic bosses? ›Through Harden Fritz's research into bosses, she found that there are six common types of problematic bosses: the different, the good old boy or good old girl, the okay, the toxic, the self-centered taskmaster, and the intrusive harasser.
How do you know if your boss doesn't value you? ›- They don't respect your PTO. ...
- They don't ask for your input. ...
- They don't give constructive feedback. ...
- They don't give you the resources or support to be successful. ...
- They don't pay you fairly. ...
- They don't respect your work-life balance. ...
- They don't share project outcomes.
You're Not Given the Resources to Do Your Job Well
Here are some signs that you are not given the resources to do your job well: You have to manage your work resources alone. You feel burnt out because there is always more work and fewer resources. Your company refuses to understand your professional and personal needs.
What Is Quiet Firing? Quiet firing occurs when a manager fails to provide adequate training, support and career development to an employee, causing that employee to leave the organization.
What not to say in front of your boss? ›- “I Need a Raise.”
- “I Can't Stand Working With ____.”
- “It's Not My Fault.”
- “But We've Always Done It This Way.”
- “That's Not Part of My Job.”
- “That's Above My Pay Grade.”
- “I Have Too Much on My Plate.”
- “I'm Bored.”
- 'Who,' 'What,' 'Where,' 'When,' 'Why,' 'How' ...? ...
- 'Do I have to?' ...
- "What's his deal?' ...
- 'What the f_ _k?' ...
- 'How much are you offering her?' ...
- 'Are you pregnant?'
How can you tell if your boss wants you to leave? ›
- They're avoiding you. ...
- They exclude you from organisation conversations. ...
- They don't acknowledge your accomplishments. ...
- They micromanage your daily tasks. ...
- They don't give you new responsibilities. ...
- They don't provide feedback. ...
- They speak to you derogatorily. ...
- They constantly disagree with you.
Show your boss that they made a mistake in targeting you. Address the issue with your boss in a calm and assertive manner. The goal is to defend yourself without being aggressive or mean in return.
Can a boss Gaslight you? ›Gaslighting at work involves manipulation by your manager or supervisor, usually to undermine your performance and overall ability to function. The individual could make your day-to-day experience a living hell and, according to BetterUp, cause you to dread going to the office.
When a manager is disrespectful? ›Express clearly how your boss's jerk-like behavior is affecting you. Remind your boss that they can help you perform at your best when they treat you professionally and with respect. You may also want to consider making an appointment to talk to your boss about why you're being treated so poorly.
What are the biggest mistakes managers make? ›- #1: Trying to do it all. ...
- #2: Undefined goals. ...
- #3: Not getting to know your team. ...
- #4: Being a reactive manager. ...
- #5: Not shifting your perspective. ...
- #6: Attitude. ...
- #7: Relying solely on money as motivation. ...
- #8: Not being professional.
- Expecting Employees to Come to Them. Managers who fail believe that establishing an open door policy with employees will suffice. ...
- Making Employees Apprehensive. ...
- Being (or Acting) Too Busy. ...
- Overemphasizing Personal Accountability.
They diminish employees by trying to control and micromanage them. When supervisors micromanage employees, they diminish employee performance and underutilize available employee talent. This means that the organization doesn't get the benefit of hiring great people with experiences, skills and creativity.
What are 5 indicators your work culture is toxic? ›The "great resignation" started in 2021 as employees started leaving their jobs in record numbers to find a better work-life balance. Toxic workplace culture was one of the main drivers of this mass exodus. Toxic workplaces include atmospheres that are stressful, unethical, cutthroat, disrespectful and noninclusive.
What is the red flag of micromanaging? ›Micromanaging
It usually manifests when your manager shows signs of mistrust in you or the work that you are doing. Managers who closely observe, control and remind the work of their “subordinates” or employees are usually defined as bad managers.
A toxic work culture is one that contains dysfunctional behavior, drama, infighting, poor communication, power struggles, and low morale. It also does not prioritize employee well-being through actions and policies.
What is the strongest skill as a manager? ›
- Communication and interpersonal skills. ...
- Listening skills. ...
- Relationship-building skills. ...
- Emotional intelligence. ...
- Organization and project management. ...
- Strategic thinking. ...
- Decision-making. ...
- Trustworthiness and respect.
1. Good communication. Having good communication skills is probably the most important skill of all for managers to have. Unless you can properly communicate with those you supervise, the rest of the skills really won't matter.
What are the four things that good managers good at? ›- Develop Emotional Intelligence.
- Seek to Understand Your Employees.
- Make Your Check-ins Holistic.
- Be an Advocate.
- Make Sure You're Dealing With a “Bad Boss” ...
- Identify Your Boss' Motivation. ...
- Don't Let it Affect Your Work. ...
- Stay One Step Ahead. ...
- Set Boundaries. ...
- Stop Assuming They Know Everything. ...
- Act as the Leader.
The method takes an aggregation of employees' judgments across the seven different questions. When we make this calculation, approximately 13% of workers are estimated to have bad bosses.
What is the lowest management position? ›Lower management or operating management or supervisory management is the lowest level of management. It includes, frontline supervisors, superintendent, officers etc. The managers at this level are in direct contact with the operative employees.
What are 3 weaknesses of a leader? ›Leadership weaknesses include poor communication skills, inability to delegate tasks, and low self-confidence. You can develop good leadership abilities by identifying your own weakness and practicing good leadership habits and skills.
What is a characteristic of a powerful manager? ›Teamwork and Team Environment. Arguably the most important trait a manager can have is the ability to work efficiently in a team. A good manager creates an environment of trust, respect, and positivity. This provides everyone with the basis for quality and productive work.
What is one thing a great manager does differently? ›Great managers are extra careful not to convey any negativity they are feeling about a particular project or assignment to their people. Keeping the lines of communication flowing. Communication is key to the success of any group.
What is an unprofessional manager? ›What is an unprofessional manager? An unprofessional manager is a staff member in a leadership position whose behavior or comments don't adhere to their organization's code of conduct or that negatively affects staff, customers or the business overall.
What are examples of unprofessional manager? ›
Examples may include stealing company secrets, aggression and bullying, fraud, vandalism, profanity, sexual harassment, extreme noise, negative comments that might impact the workplace, offensive jokes and disrespecting others and their personal items.
What are 5 traits of a bad manager? ›- Micromanagement. Micromanagement is one of the most-often-cited characteristics of a bad manager. ...
- Failure to give feedback. ...
- Inability to say “no” ...
- Absence of empathy. ...
- Gossip. ...
- Poor communication. ...
- Over-reliance on employee self-management. ...
- Disorganization.
Examples of unprofessional behavior in the workplace
Sharing personal opinionsDominating meetingsExaggeration of work experienceIntimidation and bullyingSexual harassmentChronic latenessRefusal to perform tasksAggressiveness.
- You're unreliable. ...
- You won't fess up to mistakes. ...
- You gossip too much. ...
- Nothing's ever good enough for you. ...
- You hate change. ...
- You smell. ...
- You're always late. ...
- You're over-eager.
The key to a thriving business staffed with a motivated, productive workforce is to avoid promoting imposters, rationalizers, glory seekers, loners, or shooting stars.
What are the 8 types of difficult employees? ›- The victim. ...
- The lazy one. ...
- The naysayer. ...
- The drama queen. ...
- The hothead. ...
- The procrastinator. ...
- The know-it-all. ...
- The poor communicator.
But it boils down to having one's feelings, wishes or rights valued and held in similar regard to one's own. When you're disrespected by your boss, you feel as if you're not seen. You feel like you don't matter. You feel like whether you work hard or not, it doesn't matter.
How do you know if your boss is emotionally abusive? ›- Micromanages and monitors your work while refusing to delegate.
- Pressures you to the point that you feel undue stress and burnout.
- Makes unreasonable demands in terms of work hours, workloads and deadlines.
- Shows unpredictable, erratic moods so you never know what to expect.
- They take credit for your work. ...
- They're gatekeepers who keep you from meeting other colleagues and advancing. ...
- They micromanage you. ...
- They blow up at any perceived mistake. ...
- They're so hands-off you forget they're there.
- They ignore your good performance. ...
- They limit your communication with senior leadership and the team. ...
- They quit asking for your advice. ...
- They don't recognize your accomplishments anymore. ...
- They take credit for your work. ...
- They start avoiding you. ...
- They criticize our work when it's not perfect.
What does disrespect look like at work? ›
Examples of disrespect include malicious gossip, threats or intimidation, giving people the silent treatment, and the unwelcome use of profanity. While not unlawful, disrespect saps employee morale and is typically the first step toward harassment and possibly even workplace violence.
What is disrespect to a boss? ›Insubordination refers to an employee who is outright disobedient or disrespectful to a manager or owner of a business. Examples of insubordination include: Refusal to obey commands of a supervisor. Disrespect shown to higher-ups in the form of vulgar or mocking language.
What are disrespectful behaviors? ›Refusal to do tasks; stubborn about doing things their own way. Deliberate delay in responding to calls. Go out of the way to make others look bad while acting innocent. Undermine another's position, status, value; setting someone up for failure.
What are three warning signs of emotional abuse? ›- Feel insecure and have low self-esteem.
- Appear depressed or anxious.
- Be withdrawn even in the presence of others.
- No longer go out and socialize as they used to.
- Miss work or other events and responsibilities.
Emotional abuse is a form of workplace harassment, which is commonly defined as belittling or threatening behavior towards an individual worker or a group of workers. Harassment and emotional abuse on the workplace cover a wide range of conducts of an offensive nature.
What is mental abuse from an employer? ›PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE
It's a misuse of power and control that violates workers' right to psychological safety. Workplace psychological abuse is an issue of employee exploitation. Employers are not explicitly liable for the psychological harm of their employees — nor do they want to be.
- They humblebrag. ...
- They try to make you feel insecure. ...
- They try to dominate. ...
- They one-up you in everything. ...
- They lie about themselves and others. ...
- They are shy. ...
- They act snobbish. ...
- They assume the negative intention.
- Realize It's Not All About You. A client once told me that, for years, she would agonize every time she rambled in a meeting or misspoke on a conference call. ...
- See Things as They Truly Are. ...
- Humanize Your Boss. ...
- Be Irreplaceable. ...
- Create a Professional Identity.
- You are asked to perform tasks with improper training. ...
- They try to set you up. ...
- They don't provide you with feedback or reviews. ...
- They micromanage you. ...
- They take complete control of your work. ...
- You are humiliated in front of coworkers and managers. ...
- They are excluding you from social outings.