With spotlight on toxic workplaces, how can we create a healthier work environment?

Insights from India’s Best Workplaces in Health and Wellness 2023 report indicate that workplace wellness scores have declined across industries in 2023. The report highlights a significant drop in mental health support, professional growth and development, and effective management and engagement.

As per the report, construction, infrastructure and real estate industry leads the “workplace wellness experience graph”, followed by the retail industry, while NGOs, education and training, and professional services have the lowest ratings.

We interviewed employees, HR leaders, founders and CEOs, to examine the situation and find workable solutions to address toxic workplaces.

A PR professional shared a distressing experience she faced with her manager, which eventually forced her to resign from the company. After reporting about her manager’s behaviour, she believes she was “made a scapegoat for everything that went wrong in client servicing”.

“My boss decided to make my life a living hell by deliberately finding mistakes and yelling at me,” she confessed. This severely affected her mental health, leading to depression and anxiety attacks. “I tolerated this behaviour for a whole year before signing my papers and leaving the organisation,” the 35-year-old added.

A corporate communications professional faced microaggressions and workplace politics after their company was acquired, which led to his and his team’s resignation. The experience was stressful enough that he decided to leave the industry and start his own venture.

In fact, as per research, toxic workplace behaviour is the biggest predictor of employee burnout symptoms and intent to leave. More than 60 percent of negative workplace outcomes are due to toxic workplaces, states a McKinsey Health Institute report published in 2022.

A toxic workplace has far-reaching negative effects on both employees and the organization’s health. Neha Cadabam, psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, agrees with this finding.

“In such environments, employees often feel undervalued, leading to decreased productivity, engagement and motivation. This can spiral into poor job satisfaction, increased turnover ates and a significant impact on mental health and quality of life,” she says.

When employees face mental health challenges, it can have a ripple effect on the company they work for. According to Cadabam, this can lead to long-term consequences like damage to reputation, culture, and performance. The decline in productivity, innovation, and collaboration can also result in significant financial costs and hinder the company’s ability to adapt and grow.

So, how to spot a toxic workplace?

While the reasons differ from person-to-person, Sachin Sandhir, CEO and founder at GENLEAP, lists some common signs to look out for:

1. Poor communication: When information is not shared transparently, it leads to misunderstandings, conflicts and frustration among the employees.

2. Micromanagement: When there is excessive control and monitoring of employees’ work, unrealistic expectations and a lack of opportunities for growth and development, it can create a sense of distrust and demotivation.

3. Bullying or harassment: Any form of bullying, discrimination, or harassment creates a hostile and unsafe environment that undermines morale, leading to high attrition rates.

4. Lack of recognition: When employees’ efforts and contributions are not appreciated, it can affect their performance and wellbeing.

5. Unfair treatment or favouritism: When employees feel rewards or opportunities are distributed unfairly, it causes resentment and divides the team.

6. Poor work culture: If a company does not prioritise on work-life balance, it can be an indicator of a toxic workplace.

“Overall, a toxic workplace is marked by negativity, stress, and lack of support, which promotes fear rather than collaboration and can have detrimental effects on employees’ mental and emotional well-being,” Sandhir said.

In such a scenario, what can companies do to create a cordial and healthy work environment?

How to promote employee wellbeing. (Source: Freepik)

Promote open communication

A major cause of toxic environments is the lack of opportunity to communicate or share thoughts. “The company can take steps to ensure open and transparent communication, regular feedback mechanisms, and constructive concern-sharing sessions,” Ruchi Tambi, HR executive, Gradding.com.

Work-life balance

Companies can improve employee wellbeing by ensuring a healthy work-life balance. “Offering flexible work hours, remote work options, paid time off, and discouraging overtime is crucial for maintaining a healthy work environment,” explains Anish Singh, founder at All Things People.

Lead by example

Leadership sets the tone for the workplace culture. Anuj Saxena, co-founder and director, Skootr says, “Leaders ought to set a good example for their subordinates by acting with honesty and compassion. It is important to cultivate loyalty and trust in your team by setting an example of positive behaviour and placing high value on employee development.”

Establish clear policies and code of conduct

To make the workplace safe, clear guidelines and regulations should be implemented. “A well-defined code of conduct helps define acceptable behaviour and provides a framework for addressing inappropriate conduct. This includes policies against bullying, harassment and discrimination,” says Tambi.

Invest in employee well-being

Singh advocates for a healthy work environment, which includes a physically safe and comfortable workspace, with opportunities for breaks and movement throughout the day.

However, employee well-being goes beyond physical health. “Providing access to mental health resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or mental health days is essential to address stress and burnout,” Singh says.

“Companies must organise team-building activities or social events to foster camaraderie and a sense of belonging among employees.”

Provide opportunities for growth

Sandhir emphasises that providing opportunities for professional growth and development can boost job satisfaction and make employees feel valued and motivated.

Additionally, Tambi explains that recognising and celebrating employee achievements reinforces team spirit and positive workplace behaviour.

When employees raise concerns about toxicity in the workplace, it’s vital for companies to address these issues promptly, earnestly and with empathy. Singh lists the following steps for companies to handle reporting of toxic workplace behaviour:

*Take all reports seriously: Acknowledge the report promptly and thank the employee for coming forward.

*Confidentiality and protection: Ensure anonymity if requested and take steps to prevent retaliation against the reporting employee.

*Thorough investigation: Conduct a fair and impartial investigation, gathering witness statements and evidence.

*Address the root cause: Identify the source of the toxicity and take appropriate corrective action, which could involve disciplinary measures, conflict resolution, or cultural training.

*Preventative measures: Implement policies and programs to prevent future toxicity, such as anti-bullying training and clear communication channels.

“Swift, thorough, and compassionate responses to employee grievances builds trust and solidifies a company’s dedication to employee well-being,” Singh concludes.

Workplace Wellbeing is a weekly series about the ins and outs of our work lives.