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Is your boss a Bad Santa or a George Bailey?

Holiday movies have some of the most beloved and loathed characters in cinema. Remember Macaulay Culkin in “Home Alone”? Or Ebenezer Scrooge from any incarnation of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol”? While most are larger than life, many of their traits can be found in the people who surround us at work every day.

A new CareerBuilder survey asked more than 4,500 workers which holiday movie legend most reminded them of their bosses, and a certain red-nosed character was one of the most popular answers.

But the most agreed-upon character was George Bailey, loving father and husband from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” played by the inimitable Jimmy Stewart. Workers thought highly of their bosses when choosing him, citing that he was well-liked and willing to help others in a bind.

Check out the full list below.

Which holiday movie character most reminds you of your boss?

  1. George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life” –19 percent
    Well-liked, always willing to help others.
  2. Rudolph from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” — 14 percent
    Can navigate successfully through tough situations.
  3. Willie, the main character from “Bad Santa” — 10 percent
    Rough around the edges but not a bad person deep down.
  4. Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” — 8 percent
    Stays focused on one goal and thinks about nothing else.
  5. Kevin from “Home Alone” — 8 percent
    Resourceful and independent.
  6. Ralphie’s father from “A Christmas Story” — 8 percent
    Old school; swears a lot when things don’t go as planned.
  7. The Grinch from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” — 7 percent
    Keeps a distance from others, but longs to be a part of the group.
  8. Clark Griswald from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” — 7 percent
    Likable but nothing seems to go right for him or her.
  9. Santa from “Miracle on 34th Street” — 6 percent
    Jolly no matter the circumstance.
  10. Buddy from “Elf” — 5 percent
    Naïve and easily awed.

Interesting that Rudolph garnered the second-highest number of votes. I would assume that a red-nosed boss would have too many spirits hidden in his desk, if you know what I’m saying. View the entire survey.

What other holiday films do you love that have characters similar to co-workers or your boss?

Justin Thompson

About Justin Thompson

Justin Thompson joined CareerBuilder in early 2011 and is - for lack of a better term - the 'job seeker champion' for the brand through the company's social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and more. His background in consumer marketing, advertising and public relations allows him to integrate the world of traditional marketing with emerging media for the sake of helping consumers land jobs and progress in their careers. A lover of music and animated .gifs, Justin brings his off-the-cuff style to our blog and our business.

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