Most workers don’t think their boss is up to the job of managing them and the stress of working with them is making them ill, according to a new study.

These incompetent bosses believe they are better at their job than they really are and their poor decisions and lead to too many mistakes, says research by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

The findings quizzed 2,000 workers about their managers, and the tragi-comic picture of bosses who make working harder rather than easier for employees at many firms.

The survey highlighted:

• Two thirds of workers cannot approach their bosses with problems

• More than half don’t think their manager is any good at their job

• A third of workers believe their incompetent bosses think they are good managers

• Six out of 10 employees wanted to discuss a work issue with their manager but couldn’t, so many workers made decisions beyond their pay grade – leaving 10% to cover errors

An unforeseen finding revealed around 40% of workers blame their bosses for stress at work – and another 10% say their manager is responsible for their poor health.

This adds to sick days that are costing industry billions of pounds every year, claims the CMI.

According to the latest figures from the Confederation of British Industry, 190 million working days were lost last year due to sickness and absence, costing businesses £17 billion.

CMI chief executive Ruth Spellman said: “The results reflecting employees’ lack of confidence at work shows that managers ‘must do more to meet their teams’ needs, if UK plc is to thrive.

“Managers need to make brave decisions if they’re to lead the team confidently. Or, to take Lord Sugar’s advice on the Apprentice, perhaps UK business needs fewer ‘Steady Eddies and Cautious Carols.”

Nevertheless, some workers seem to put up with their poor managers rather than move, according to separate research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

The findings disclosed many workers are reluctant to leave their jobs and that the median turnover rate has remained consistently low throughout the recession – 12.5% for 2011; 13.5% in 2010; 15.7% in 2009 and 17.3% in 2008.

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