How to identify a bad boss: 12 signs of a toxic manager. Do you report to one?

Produced by: BT Desk Designed by: Manoj Kumar

Lies frequently

Dishonesty breeds distrust and a toxic work environment.

Micromanages constantly

Lack of trust and control issues damage team morale.

Never admits fault

Shifts blame instead of owning mistakes, creating a negative atmosphere.

Takes all the credit

Steals recognition, demotivating the team.

Plays the blame game

Avoids responsibility and rarely shows appreciation, leading to resentment.

Ignores boundaries

Disregards work-life balance, pushing employees toward burnout.

Demands without support

Expects high performance without providing necessary resources.

Pits employees against each other

Fosters competition over collaboration, weakening team cohesion.

Doesn’t listen

Ignores feedback and concerns, stifling employee contributions.

Uses fear as a tool

Relies on fear-based tactics instead of positive reinforcement.