Three in 10 Australian workers, 29%, “dislike” their managers, according to survey results released by the Australian College of Applied Professions and YouGov. And 65% said their manager or boss struggles with soft skills.

It also found that 53% of Australian workers who have been working from home in some capacity during Covid-19 have concerns about working with their manager when returning to the office. Top reasons for concern included managers’ lack of emotional intelligence, 39%; communicating ineffectively, 34%; and micromanaging, 32%.

In addition, 53% say their tolerance for bad behaviour, rudeness, work politics and drama has been reduced compared to before the pandemic.

“The pandemic and its consequences have created challenges for workers, managers and business leaders alike,” said George Garrop, CEO of the Australian College of Applied Professions.

“The ongoing shifts around remote and flexible working, employee burnout, mental health struggles, isolation, financial worries and many other factors, have taken a toll on workplaces — and also, evidently, on the relationships between workers and their managers,” Garrop said.

Gen Xers, Gen Zers and millennials were more likely than baby boomers to say their manager struggled with soft skills.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Australian College of Applied Professions in October 2021 by YouGov and included 1,000 workers.