So the first week of work after a long festive season is now over. Back to work with pesky co-workers and if the results of a new study are anything to go by, most people will be going back to work for a boss they hate.

A Florida State University study shows that nearly two of five bosses don't keep their word and most bad mouth those they supervise.

The bosses, the study shows, also create problems for their companies, causing poor morale, less production and high turnover.

"They say that employees don't leave their job or company, they leave their boss," said Wayne Hochwarter, a professor of management in the College of Business at Florida State University, who joined with two students at the school to survey more than 700 people working in a variety of jobs.

Employees stuck with a jerk boss experienced more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness and depression, the researchers found.

The study also found that most employees value a good working environment more than pay.

The findings of the study include:

39 per cent of workers said their supervisor failed to honour promises.

37 per cent said their supervisor failed to give credit when it was due.

31 per cent said their supervisor gave them the "silent treatment" in the past year.

27 per cent said their supervisor made negative comments about them to other employees or managers.

23 per cent said their supervisor blamed others to cover up mistakes or to minimise embarrassment.