Bad boss makes blood boil

A UK study has confirmed what many employees already suspect - a bad boss can send up your blood pressure.

Boss judged as "habitually unfair and unreasonable" could cause a rise in blood pressure and a longer term risk of heart attack or stroke, according to the study reported today in Occupational and Environmental Medicine' journal.

The study of 28 female healthcare assistants found those working for an 'unfair' boss registered up to a 15mg Hg difference in systolic blood pressure and a 7 mm Hg difference in diastolic.

Fairness was defined as the giving of timely feedback, praise, showing trust and respect, being consistent, impartial and adaptable.

One of the study authors, Dr Nadia Wager from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in Bucks, UK, said the personal style of a boss could be a workplace stressor and undermine health and wellbeing.

"A workplace characterised by fairness, empowerment and consideration is likely to provide one inexpensive strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disorders," Dr Wager said.

The study, 'The effect on ambulatory blood pressure of working under favourably and unfavourably perceived supervisors 2003' appears in Occupational and Environmental Medicine; 60: pp 468-74.