DESPITE heavy workloads, unreasonable clients and high pressure environments, bad bosses and colleagues have been cited as the main cause of stress at work.

According to a recent survey from Monster UK, almost 50 per cent of Brits blame their bosses for making their blood boil and causing the most anxiety at work.

The Monster Meter poll asked 2,330 British workers: "What makes you most stressed at work?"

The survey revealed:

l 48 per cent (1,087 votes) said: colleagues/management - namely, the boss.

l 22 per cent (514 votes) said it was the workload.

l 12 per cent (287 votes) said: the environment.

l 11 per cent (263 votes) said: my commute to work.

l 7 per cent (179 votes) said: clients they deal with.

Bad bosses and difficult colleagues create stressful situations and can have a dramatic effect on workers' morale.

Nearly one in four bosses in the UK is bad or dreadful, according to a survey of employees by The Good Boss Company, which campaigns for better management.

This indicates that there is a direct link between how employees view bosses and how they feel about their jobs.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents have looked for another job because of a boss.

Whether facing the wrath of Sir Alan Sugar or dealing with a Basil Fawlty style of management, don't be afraid of the big bad boss and avoid suffering in silence.

The challenge is to be proactive and look at what steps you can take to build mutual respect.