An expert view on toxic workplaces - the silent epidemic destroying employee mental health

 In many working environments, the pursuit of success often comes at a significant cost: employee mental health.

 While the pressures of deadlines, performance metrics and constant connectivity are well-known stressors, a more insidious threat lies beneath the surface—one that is silently eroding the well-being of countless employees. This silent epidemic is the toxic workplace, where harmful behaviours and unhealthy cultures are disguised as high standards and ambition is weaponised against those who strive to excel.

You don’t have to look far to find stories about toxic workplaces. Social media is filled with posts about mental health and in-office wellness with the comments alone revealing that thousands, if not millions, of workers are suffering at companies where toxicity reigns supreme and employee mental health is on the steady decline.

To explore this crucial topic, we spoke with Lesley Burns, a renowned Johannesburg occupational therapist, known as the ‘Workplace Therapist’, specialising in workplace health. Burns brings extensive expertise to her practice, which focuses on functional capacity evaluations and mental health workshops for corporate clients. Working with clients such as Liberty Life, Sanlam and Hollard Momentum, Burns is committed to reframing investment in employee mental health as an ethical and profitable necessity.

“My simple definition of a toxic workplace is one where the psychological hazards are high, placing employees at risk of psychological harm,” says Burns. “These psychological hazards can be organisational, social or physical environmental factors. In these workplaces, the mental health of employees is completely disregarded. The most common signs of a toxic workplace are inadequate reward and recognition, excessive  working hours, absence of autonomy, inadequate support and poor interpersonal relationships."

In her experience, the aspect of corporate culture that contributes most significantly to creating a toxic work environment are the company’s values.

“Companies that are focused only on making as much money as possible tend to create environments that are toxic for employees. There are in fact companies that set out to take advantage of vulnerable people who have no choice but to accept their unreasonable job offerings and exposure to a toxic environment. For example, they will set up new premises in geographical locations where their research has shown there are large numbers of poor, unemployed people desperate for, and therefore willing to accept, any job.”

While there are many organisations that strive to create positive, supportive work environments, they are often outnumbered by those that do not. The rise of toxic workplaces in recent years can largely be attributed to systemic factors within modern corporate structures. At the heart of these factors is money. “In today’s world of work, it’s mostly all about how much and how quickly money can be made to generate wealth for an elite few. This is often to the detriment of the people employed to meet this end for the elite few.”

Employee health

Toxic workplaces are breeding grounds for severe mental health issues. In 2012, the Japanese government even coined the term, karoshi, which means ‘death by overwork’ including death by suicide.

“Employees in these environments often suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance-use disorders and burnout,” says Burns. These mental health conditions can also lead to serious physical health conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes.

The damage wrought by toxic workplaces is not limited to office hours. Burns notes that employees exposed to such environments frequently exhibit a range of negative behaviours, both at work and in their personal lives.

“Despondence, cynicism, loss of confidence, disengagement, social withdrawal, and irritability are common,” she observes. “These employees often shift into survival mode, both at work and at home, turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms and neglecting self- care. They might stop caring about their appearance, indulge in junk food and alcohol, and withdraw from family and social activities.”

When asked about strategies to safeguard mental health in such environments, Burns emphasises the importance of self-care. “While employees in toxic work environments may have little control over their surroundings, they can still look after themselves by maintaining a healthy lifestyle— good nutrition, sufficient sleep, regular exercise and relaxation are key,” she advises.

However, Burns acknowledges that “the motivation to maintain such a lifestyle often wanes under toxic conditions, leading to poor eating habits and the overuse of mind-altering substances as a means of escape.”

Recognising when to seek professional help is crucial. “It’s time to seek help when you realise you’re not functioning at your optimal level in your various life roles— be it as a partner, parent, friend, community member, or employee,” Burns advises. A workplace mental health therapist can offer the support needed to navigate toxic environments: “They can help you focus on what you can control in your career and guide you in making decisions that benefit your health and long- term future. Sometimes, this might involve making tough decisions, such as resigning.”

The shift to remote work during the pandemic has introduced new challenges. Burns acknowledges that this change has, in some cases, exacerbated workplace toxicity by blurring the lines between work and home life and diminishing team cohesion.

She points out, however, “These pandemic-related issues can be addressed with insightful, effective, and empathetic leadership. As recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘manager training for mental health is more important now than ever before to help managers recognise and respond to employees that are experiencing mental health issues’ and, if I may add, to reduce the stigma surrounding these issues.”

Toxicity vs ‘workplace culture’

One of the most common ways toxic workplaces often disguise harmful behaviours as part of their ‘workplace culture,’ is by promoting a false sense of family and belonging. “You’ll often hear phrases like, ‘You are part of our family now,’ accompanied by promises of great things if you can handle the pressure of the job. However, it’s never revealed at the inception of employment that this pressure is going to damage your physical and mental health, your relationships at home... That you will have to sacrifice everything that is important to you for your paycheck... That you could even die,” says Burns.

“An environment that demands working over and above your prescribed working hours and days on a constant basis, that allows you no freedom of speech or decision making, that offers you minimal positive feedback or reward, in which you feel disrespected and unfairly treated and where values are unsound is toxic. These factors are not the ‘nature of the job’.”

Employees who are naturally motivated to do a good job may not immediately see the red flags. According to experts, the key to recognising when ambition has become unhealthy lies in evaluating how you’re functioning in all areas of your life. “When you realise that you’re not the partner, parent, friend, or even the employee you used to be, it’s a strong indication that something is wrong,” says Burns. Additionally, if the job that once filled you with passion now leaves you feeling drained and disillusioned, a toxic work environment may be to blame.

For those who find themselves in this precarious situation, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is crucial. “Assertiveness promotes confidence, which gives you some power in the face of circumstances that are beyond your control,” says Burns.

“For example, you cannot change the manager who makes unreasonable demands, but you do have the right to say ‘no’. Unfortunately, not everyone in the work environment will appreciate your assertiveness, but you need to persevere regardless, knowing that it is the right approach for your own mental health."

"One of the most insidious tactics used in toxic workplaces is gaslighting—a form of psychological manipulation that causes hard working employees to doubt their abilities and even their sanity. Toxic environments are often rife with back-biting and blame-shifting, as individuals attempt to protect their fragile self-esteem. Burns explains, “These tactics can be directed at genuinely hard workers causing them to start believing they are the problem and adversely affecting their self-esteem and confidence. They might, in turn, withdraw and disengage at work, adversely affecting their career progression.”

“In many cases, toxic managers, sometimes referred to as ‘snakes in suits’, or narcissists will try to befriend you. Once they have you on their side, you are a victim that they can easily manipulate into believing that they really care about you. You will feel grateful not only for your job but for them as a friend and you will therefore accept the unfair treatment they dish out to you. The truth is, they don’t care about you at all, they only care about meeting their own ends and how you can help them in meeting these ends. Most employees will realise this eventually, but only after they have suffered severe damage to their mental health.”

Employees in a toxic work environment might feel trapped due to job insecurity. Despite the risk of job loss, adopting a speak-up policy and addressing these issues is essential for creating a healthier work environment. “Employees should report issues to their line manager or HR,” says Burns. “It’s important to challenge the narrative that toxic experiences are just part of the job.”

The challenge of holding organisations accountable for perpetuating toxic behaviours is significant. Burns expresses hope that one day it becomes compulsory for organisations to implement the guidelines of the recently released ISO45003 (guidelines to manage psychosocial risk) and that random audits be undertaken accordingly. While it is compulsory for workplaces to comply with certain physical health and safety regulations, unfortunately the same does not yet apply to mental health and safety.

Recognising the signs of a toxic workplace is the first step toward protecting yourself from its harmful effects. By understanding the root causes and being vigilant about the red flags, employees can better navigate the challenges of modern corporate life, ensuring their mental health and well-being remain top priority.

Protecting your mental health in a toxic workplace starts with recognising the signs: gaslighting, manipulation and excessive demands. By setting boundaries, seeking support, and prioritising your well-being, you can resist the harmful effects of a toxic environment.

Your mental health is invaluable and no job is worth compromising it. Advocate for yourself and strive to work in an environment that uplifts you rather than diminishes your potential.