Employees Don't Leave Jobs — They Leave Bad Bosses

We've all heard the saying, and research keeps proving it true. Toxic leadership isn't just a morale problem — it's a serious business liability. According to a SHRM study, bad bosses cost companies a staggering $223 billion in turnover between 2014 and 2019 alone.

But where in the U.S. is the problem worst? A new study by The Barber Law Firm analyzed workplace dissatisfaction across all 50 states, and the results are eye-opening.

How to Spot a Toxic Boss

Before diving into the data, it helps to know what we're dealing with. Toxic bosses tend to follow a recognizable pattern. They micromanage obsessively while refusing to delegate, create climates of fear and urgency, and make unreasonable demands on employees' time and energy. They take credit for others' ideas, badmouth and bully their teams, and swing between unpredictable moods that keep everyone walking on eggshells. Perhaps most damaging of all, they ignore strong performance while showing zero empathy for personal struggles or mental health challenges.

Sound familiar? You're not alone.

The 10 Worst States for Toxic Workplaces

The Barber Law Firm tracked 153 workplace-related Google search terms — things like "how to deal with a bad boss" and "how to sue my employer" — over 12 months ending April 2025. They cross-referenced that data with employee churn rates and EEOC discrimination and harassment charges to build a composite "toxic leadership score" for each state.

Here's where things are worst:

Nevada — Score: 94.15 | Churn rate: 4.4%
Tennessee — Score: 87.56 | Churn rate: 5.3%
Arizona — Score: 79.59 | Churn rate: 4.3%
South Carolina — Score: 78.91 | Churn rate: 4.4%
Indiana — Score: 76.96 | Churn rate: 4.3%
Rhode Island — Score: 76.93 | Churn rate: 7.1%
Arkansas — Score: 74.30 | Highest discrimination & harassment charges in the study
Colorado — Score: 72.96 | Churn rate: 3.6%
Georgia — Score: 72.31 | Second-highest discrimination & harassment charges
Louisiana — Score: 72.28 | Churn rate: 4%

A notable pattern: six of the ten most toxic states are in the South, including Tennessee, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, and Louisiana.

On the other end of the spectrum, New Hampshire ranks as the least toxic state, with minimal discrimination charges and a toxic leadership score of just 37.18.

What This Means for You

Kris Barber, founder of The Barber Law Firm, puts it bluntly: "A bad boss is a legal and economic liability, not just a workplace grievance. When employees start searching for ways to deal with toxic management, it's often the first step in a journey that ends with a resignation letter or a formal lawsuit."

If you're navigating a difficult situation at work, here's what experts recommend:

Document everything. Keep a detailed, off-site log of incidents — dates, times, witnesses, and relevant communications.

Know your company's policies. Review your employee handbook and understand the formal process for reporting a hostile work environment.

Get an outside perspective. An employment attorney or trusted mentor outside your organization can help you understand your rights before things escalate.

Protect your mental health. If the environment is affecting your well-being, start quietly networking and updating your credentials. A smooth exit beats a sudden one.

Know your legal windows. EEOC filing deadlines vary by state and can close faster than you'd expect.

The data is clear: toxic leadership is widespread, costly, and — importantly — not something employees simply have to accept. Whether you're an employee looking for an exit ramp or a leader who wants to build something better, recognizing the warning signs is the first step.