Most British workers are eager to step into their boss's shoes and prove that they can do a better job, according to research conducted for Fish4.co.uk, the UK's most popular careers website (MMXI Europe). It reveals that a staggering 59% of British workers feel they would perform their boss' role as well as or better than he or she does. Only 22% believed they would do less well.

The survey of 1,010 workers also reveals that British employees believe good luck and an ability to play office politics are two of the most important qualities needed to become a boss. Hard work and experience were considered most important (cited by 70% and 68% of respondents respectively), but luck was named as a factor by 42% and office politics by 39%. Not all respondents were convinced the UK was moving toward a meritocratic society, with 20% believing that class and background were also crucial qualities for being the boss.

Furthermore workers know who they would want to work for. Asked to name ideal bosses, Richard Branson emerged as favourite by 45% of respondents, whilst Chris Evans was considered the boss from hell, collecting only 3% of votes. He was seen as less popular than Madonna, The Queen or Cherie Blair. Alex Ferguson was nominated by 15% of male respondents, three times more than by females.

The survey also revealed the lengths many secretaries and PAs go to on behalf of their bosses, with12% aware of secretaries lying to their bosses' partners about their whereabouts. More than a quarter of respondents were aware of secretaries having to work late, even after their bosses had gone home, and 20% had covered up for boss' long, boozy lunches.

Fish4jobs.co.uk features more than 35,000 new jobs every week, and offers a range of additional services that cater for those looking to move up in the world. There are plans to introduce additional features to the careers website including CV Workshops and interview advice to help applicant succeed in their job hunt.

Rayne Roberts, Fish4Jobs publisher, says, "It is clear from these results that a lot of workers in the UK are dissatisfied with their jobs, and that bosses do not always enjoy the respect they think they do. If a worker feels they deserve to advance, Fish4Jobs.co.uk has all the tools they need to give them the best chance of taking control of their career by finding the perfect job, or improving in the position they already have."