THE "manager from hell" is a dying breed, according to the results of a survey out today.

More workers think their boss is a "pussycat" than a "tyrant", while almost a third view their manager as an inspirational and motivational leader.

The survey's findings met with hugely differing reactions in York, with a union spokesman expressing disbelief, while a business leader agreed that management standards were generally rising.

Paul Redgate, an official with the T & G union in York, said: "It beggars belief."

He said the union did deal with fair-minded employers, but the results of the survey were not in line with his experiences.

Paul Clays, of the Communication Workers' Union in York, said: "It's certainly not in our industry."

But Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Trade, said: "It's pleasing to hear that standards are rising generally.

"If staff are taking a more positive view of their bosses, that's a good thing. I think management is improving. There's a whole range of experiences in the workplace, and both extremes can be found, but I think generally standards are rising."

He said training was an important factor in improving standards.

The survey was published by the Working Families charity, with backing from bank Lloyds TSB, to mark the launch of a competition to find Britain's Best Boss of 2005.

It identified four boss types - the tyrant, the pussycat, the entertainer and the leader.

The results appear to show widely varying styles of bosses, depending on the industry they work in.

Transport bosses were said to be most likely to be ruthless "tyrants" who put profit before people, while bosses from the IT and Telecoms industries were more likely to adopt a David Brent-like style and be the "entertainer".

People working in retail were most likely to think of their boss as an effective leader.

Sarah Jackson, of Working Families, said: "We know that managers who have found work-life balance works for their teams are the best persuaders of their peers.

"It is already clear that employees around the country really appreciate bosses who help them to balance their responsibilities at work and at home, but there is still time for nominations to be made for more great bosses at www.workingfamilies.org.uk."

To get a nomination form for Britain's Best Boss 2005 phone 020 7253 7243 or download one from www.workingfamilies.org.uk. The closing date for nominations is May 3, 2005.

Updated: 09:37 Tuesday, April 05, 2005