It’s often said that good employees don’t quit companies, they quit managers. A new survey shows just how true that is.

Unhappiness with management is the number one reason employees switch employers, according to a survey of top executives by staffing firm Robert Half International. More than a third (35%) said that’s the main reason people have left their companies.

Others reasons employees have cited for leaving recently:

• Limited advancement opportunities (33%)
• Lack of recognition (13%)
• Inadequate salary and benefits (13%), and
• Boredom (1%).

The bad boss problem has only gotten worse in the past few years. When the same survey was conducted in 2004, only 23% of execs said bad management was causing problems.

The reason: During uncertain times when employees are asked to do more with less, strong leadership becomes even more important, says Max Messmer, CEO of Robert Half.

The upshot: For companies concerned about retention problems, a change in supervisors’ attitude and style could go a long way.

Tags: managers, reasons employees quit, Robert Half International