Online watchdog group eBoss Watch recently announced its "Worst Bosses of 2009" list, which ranked this year's 25 worst bosses in the country by selecting "winners" from news headlines.

Although the list doesn't represent an objective determination of the "worst" boss of the year, it does demonstrate that taking steps to ensure compliance with state and federal laws is a good start. Each of the bosses awarded the dubious honor of making the list was accused of discrimination, harassment, or workplace bullying/violence.

Even more importantly, perhaps, the companies employing these bosses were all accused of mishandling employee complaints and not intervening to resolve the disputes properly.

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Three of the "worst bosses" on the list belong to California companies:

• No. 7: Tom Cable, head coach of the Oakland Raiders, was named for punching an assistant coach and breaking his jaw.
• No. 11: City of Tracy HR director Maria Olvera made the list for allegedly making obscene and abusive comments to city staff, and then firing those who objected. The matter is now the subject of a hostile work environment and wrongful termination lawsuit brought by two city employees.
• No. 13: Andy Lee, manager of the Palo Alto branch of California Pizza Kitchen, was named after being the subject of numerous sexual harassment complaints, including one by a former employee who claimed that his sexual advances were relentless.

The full list is available here.