A Bad Job with a Good Boss – Still Better Than a Good Job with a Bad Boss?

There’s a saying I’ve always liked: “A bad job with a good boss is better than a good job with a bad boss.”

Sounds like a meme, but it’s one of those truths you only really understand after a few rounds in the workplace ring.

A young friend from Saigon wrote to me recently — her job is decent, the pay is fair, but the boss? Not so much. She asked if she should stay or move on.

Here’s what I told her — from one old man who’s had both kinds of bosses… and survived to tell the tale.

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Dear X.,

Thank you for trusting me with your question.

While this isn’t my area of expertise, with decades of working experience, allow me to share a few thoughts that might help you decide whether to stay or move on.

You didn’t specify exactly what kind of boss you’re dealing with, but I assume he’s not quite the “good boss” you were hoping for. There’s a famous saying I once came across online:

“A bad job with a good boss is better than a good job with a bad boss.”

It basically means: choose your boss, not the job.

Jack Ma, the CEO of Alibaba, also said:

“A good boss is better than a good company. A good boss would discipline you, train you and develop you.”

In other words, it’s wiser to choose a good boss than a big-name company — because a good boss will teach, guide, and help you grow.

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A bad job with a good boss may tire you out, but it won’t break your character. No matter how heavy or messy the workload, you’ll still feel warm inside knowing your boss understands, protects, and respects you. Working with such a boss may be tough, but it’s also deeply rewarding — because you know you’re doing something right.

A good job with a bad boss, however, is a completely different story.

At first, it looks like a golden opportunity — impressive title, good salary, sounds great on paper. But over time, you’ll realize you’re walking on thin ice. A bad boss doesn’t just make the workplace suffocating — they can drag you down with them when things go wrong.

In reality, when a boss gets involved in shady business — embezzlement, bribery, or fraud — the people around them often end up as “unwilling accomplices.” Especially those in positions like chief accountant, forced to sign off or cover up numbers to please the boss. Some thought they had a good job, only to find themselves facing criminal charges.

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That said, if your discomfort with your boss stems only from minor issues, you can still consider staying.

But if you constantly feel stressed, unsafe, or morally uneasy — then be brave enough to leave. Find another job, maybe one that’s less glamorous or pays less, but where you feel at peace and see a clearer future — with a boss who treats people decently.

So, between a bad job with a good boss and a good job with a bad boss, I’d choose the first.

Because a good boss can turn a hard day into a meaningful one — while a bad boss can turn your achievements into… your downfall.

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But hey, this is Saigon — a city full of opportunities for capable people like you.

I have a few nephews who studied and stayed there — good jobs, good bosses.

I wish the same for you — may you soon find both a good job and a good boss.

Good luck,

Mr. Old Man