Majority of workers describe their bosses as authoritarian or secretive

ONLY one in ten workers believe their boss is accessible and open, while the majority of staff see their employers as authoritarian, bureaucratic or secretive.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) said its survey of 500 employees showed that the country's economic recovery was at risk because of the "dominant" style of managers.

The study also found that more than a third of employees would prefer to be managed by Conservative leader David Cameron, compared with a fifth preferring Gordon Brown or Nick Clegg.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI, said: "It is an embarrassment for the UK that over half of companies' management style is seen to be negative by the people that know them best – their employees.

"In case bosses think this doesn't matter as long as they are turning a profit, think again. Goodwill and engagement among employees doesn't only improve people's working lives but it adds to the bottom line in productivity, retention rates and customer loyalty … We need more businesses that are innovative, accessible and empowering."