Can Your Boss Make You Happy?

Can your boss affect more than just your life at work? A study by human resource consulting firm Adecco shows for some workers, the impact is noticeable. Many workers, particularly older ones, find the relationship with the boss to be a critical element to both workplace success and overall happiness.

"The relationship between a worker and his/her manager has very real implications for both employee satisfaction and performance," says Ray Roe, president of Adecco North America. "It is important for both manager and employees to be cognizant of the different dynamics at play and actively work together toward building a stronger relationship. Doing so will not only increase work-life happiness but also improve on-the-job efficiency and productivity."

Among the trends:

* The younger the worker, the less impact the boss has on overall happiness. Among Generation Y workers, 53 percent said their relationship with their boss had no impact on their work-life happiness. However, 62 percent of baby boomers report their bosses have influence over their day-to-day lives.

* Most workers say they have no preference when it comes to the boss' gender. Among those with a preference, 26 percent would prefer a male boss and 13 percent would prefer a female boss.

* Does the boss-worker relationship impact productivity? Workers are split; 49 percent say yes. The concern is more pronounced among men; 52 percent of men say the boss-worker relationship impacts productivity, while just 44 percent of women agree.