boss's boss by taking credit for work that has been done or by making remarks that make the boss look incompetent or disorganized. This can be very subtle and with a patient underminer will build slowly, ultimately trying to get the boss removed. This is vicious form of ambition and can cause real damage to moral.

Absentee employee

They are sickly or they have major problems with their spouse, parents, dog or car. Whatever the excuse they are out way too often and way beyond what the company allows. They tend to take Mondays and Fridays for long weekends, they are absent when the work load is heavy and when they are reprimanded they are shocked that anyone would question their attendance.

Company basher

Every chance that they have these employees are complaining about the way the company treats them. It can be that they are not paid enough, they are overworked, the other employees are stupid, boss is unfair and a hundred other evil things to say about the company who is giving them a paycheck.

Know it all

As a boss you have all come across this employee. During training they never take notes, they know it all. Yet at some point down the road they are going to screw up and not know how to do something. They will pretend that they do know because after all, they know everything.

Blame passer

We know this employee well. They are never to blame; no matter what the issue is they are not responsible, it is always someone elses fault. They couldn't finish their task because someone asked them a question, they had to answer the phone, and the dog ate their report. You all know this employee; they have an excuse for everything. Probably in the end it is because you aren't a good boss.

No matter how hard you try as bosses, you are going to end up with one or more of these employees working for you. How you deal with them is a measure of the kind of boss that you are.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
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