National Boss Day 2012: What To Do If You Can't Stand Your Boss

That smacking sound you hear is a chorus of ass-kissing taking place throughout our land.

Kidding! Kind of. Tuesday October 16th is National Boss Day, an actual occasion for American workers to celebrate the Michael Scott or Bill Lumbergh in their life.

Judging by our survey of the many many different employee surveys out there--and our diligent viewing of Office reruns--most people basically hate their bosses. A study released earlier this month by TellYourBoss.com found that nearly two-thirds of Americans are unhappy with their jobs, with 65 percent saying that a new boss would make them happier while 35 percent prefered a pay raise. Common complaints from employees include a lack of enthusiasm, a resistance to new ideas and a lack of direction.

USA Today reports that 75 percent of workers say their boss is the most stressful part of their job, ineffective bosses can be a detriment to both workplace productivity and employee health. Stress costs American businesses upwards of $300 billion per year due to rising insurance and health care costs.

So, instead of using this day to bestow fake smiles and hearty laughs at your supervisor's lame jokes, perhaps try "managing upward," and trying to fix your broken boss. Psychologist Michelle McQuaid's found that 10 percent of employees surveyed said they would use the holiday as a way to improve their relationship with their boss.

Managers can try fixing things, too. Entrepreneur Alan E. Hall in the Harvard Business Review, says bosses can increase an employees sense of value and engagement with more personal communication, positivity and a goal oriented structure with potential rewards.

Patricia Haroski, a State Farm Insurance secretary first registered National Boss Day back in 1958 with Chase's Annual Events, a national calendar listing. By 1979, Hallmark finally began marketing the holiday.