British lead way in griping over bosses

British workers are among the most disgruntled in Europe and have the lowest opinion of their management, an international study reveals.

British workers are among the most disgruntled in Europe and have the lowest opinion of their management, an international study reveals.

The survey found only the Italians and the Hungarians are less satisfied than the British with their work conditions. Most satisfied were the Swiss, followed by the Dutch, Austrians, Norwegians and Germans. The findings, which give support to sufferers of Monday morning blues, were included in the annual report on employee satisfaction carried out by International Survey Research, the employee opinion consultants.

Among the top gripes withBritish workers were dissatisfaction at the way their work is organised, how unfulfilling and insecure their jobs are and the low level of efficiency in their workplace.

Bosses also came in for criticism, with British employees rating their management less favourably than staff in any other European country. The only area where British workerswere more content was in their attitude to fringe benefits.

Last night Carolyn Jones, director of the Institute of Employment Rights, said: "The findings are no surprise at all, especially if you consider the high turnover of British staff and the high levels of absenteeism. Workers are voting with their feet and are either staying away from work because of illness and stress or just changing jobs more frequently, mainly because of low pay. British employees work longer hours for less pay and fewer holidays and rights than anywhere else in Europe."

The survey found French workers also held low opinions of their immediate supervisors and corporate management as well as criticising their company's training systems and their communications.

Less than half of Hungarian workers believe they receive fair pay and benefits and think they have prospects for personal and career development or feel well-informed by the company that employs them.