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Worst bosses ever ... on TV
Montgomery Burns, Cosmo Spacely make outplacement firm's list.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- One boss calls employees "donkeys." Another tried to block the sun in order to create a market for his company.

Sound too bad to be true?

office_scott.03.jpg
Among the worst TV bosses list, Michael Scott, manager on NBC's "The Office."

They are. Because these bosses, such as "The Simpsons'" Montgomery Burns or President Charles Logan of the drama "24," exist only on TV.

But their behavior holds important lessons for real world employees coping with bad bosses, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

"A recent poll we conducted found that poor leadership is the biggest reason for low employee morale," said CEO John A. Challenger, in the report issued Monday.

"Accept that it is you who will have to change," the report counsels, urging employees to abandon thinking they can change a boss.

Additionally, the firm advises not responding to a bosses' negativity with your own. The report also encourages employees to find the bosses' preferred mode of communication and update them about what's happening.

The report advises looking for another position only as a last resort.

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the worst television bosses include Homer Simpson's boss, Mr. Burns, and Jack Bauer's boss, President Logan.

Also on the list: Gordon Ramsey, head chef on Fox's "Hell's Kitchen"; Michael Scott, manager on NBC's "The Office"; Al Swearengen, the brothel owner on HBO's "Deadwood"; Dr. Bob Kelso, hospital chief of staff on NBC's "Scrubs"; Adrian Monk, the obsessive-compulsive detective on USA Network's "Monk"; and Cosmo Spacely, George Jetson's boss in the 1960s animated series "The Jetsons."

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