Cost of Sick Days

If your employees feel stressed after interacting with you, their mental and physical health could suffer. In fact, there is clear evidence that bad bosses can have a negative impact on their employees’ health, a Harvard Medical School researcher told The Washington Post in 2014.

According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, negative interactions with a boss have been shown to raise employees' blood pressure significantly. And over an extended period of time, that can lead to health problems such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This can significantly impact a company's bottom line. The Centers for Disease Control found in 2015 that the average cost of absenteeism, including sick days, is $1,685 per employee per year.

On the flip side, employees who feel valued report better mental health. Christine Porath, author of "Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace," found in a poll of more than 20,000 employees worldwide that employees who felt respected by their leader reported 56 percent better health and well-being. Eighty-nine percent reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction, 92 percent greater focus and prioritization, 26 percent more meaning and significance, and 55 percent more engagement.