Should you accept a great job offer with a terrible boss?

I have received an excellent job offer, but have been warned that my manager has a terrible reputation. Should I take heed and decline, or accept and form my own view?

Penny de Valk, managing director of Penna Talent Practice, an HR firm, says:

It is important to make our own judgments, but it is also understandable that you are feeling swayed by others' opinions. We spend about a third of our life at work, so a bad manager could seriously impact on your happiness.

Think back to your impressions of meeting the manager during interviews; can you see any similarities between what people are saying and what you have experienced? If so, it is important to consider whether you can work with someone who possesses these negative characteristics.

Would you mind if your boss criticised you in front of colleagues or took the credit for your work? Some people would not, while others could not tolerate such behaviour. Think about what you could accept and compare this with what has been said by your peers.

Research by Penna has found that 19 per cent of employees would "put up" with a bad manager, but a telling 31 per cent would leave a job.

Try to find out about the experiences of those who have worked with the manager in question. If it is an internal appointment, it should be simple to get in touch with those who used to be underlings. Do not rely on rumours; find out if it is as bad as people say.

If it is an external appointment, could you contact ex-employees on LinkedIn? Or, if you are being hired through a recruiter, you could ask what the recruiter's impression is and what the manager's hiring patterns are like.

If this manager requires you to be available at a drop of a hat, even at the weekend or while on holiday, would this suit you? For some this is just part of the job. Others would see it as unacceptable intrusion in their personal lives.

Ultimately, if you have had an excellent job offer, you need to consider the sacrifices you are willing to make for it. Think about the trade-offs.

You may end up telling yourself: "I know I'm likely to be in for a tough working year with a bad manager, but I'm willing to do it as this role will help me achieve my career aspirations in the long term."

Do not underestimate your gut instincts though. If your peers are trustworthy and you have a bad feeling about your new manager, you may be better off politely declining the job offer.

Send your queries to Janina Conboye at [email protected]

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