In modern workplaces, certain practices have become so normalised that we often fail to recognise their negative impact on employee well-being. What might seem like harmless ways of working can contribute to a toxic environment, leading to burnout and other mental and physical health issues.
7 Toxic practices normalised in today’s workplaces
Here is a list of practices that are toxic and can lead to mental and physical health issues. Note, we don’t even touch the ones that are more aggressive: bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexism, racism, ageism etc.
Nor do we go into other harmful practices which such as not giving recognition which have all been identified as under mining employee well being.
1. Discretionary effort, a hidden cause of burnout
The pressure to constantly go the undefined extra mile without clear boundaries or recognition can lead to chronic stress and exhaustion. What is “the extra mile” anyway? For some it might be working until 5.15 pm for others it might be working all night to get the job done. Employees may feel compelled to exceed expectations without a clear understanding of what constitutes success, when they ultimately sacrifice their own well-being in the process.
We saw this tragically with the death of the UK lawyer who committed suicide after a punishing work schedule.
2. 24/7 Availability over work/life balance – it’s not a badge of honour
In a world where technology enables constant connectivity, the expectation of being available around the clock can erode work-life balance and blur the lines between professional and personal life. This perpetual state of availability prioritises work over physical and emotional health, setting the stage for burnout.
Factor in a power dynamic and the concern if you don’t respond to the 11.00 pm email what will the boss think? Will it impact my promotion/ bonus / long-term career?
3. Presence culture over flexibility –
When leaders emphasise physical presence in the office over flexibility they fail to account for the diverse needs and responsibilities of employees. This rigid approach ignores the potential for remote or hybrid workers to manage their schedules to meet their KPIs. This undermines trust and autonomy while amplifying stressors for those with caring responsibilities or other constraints.
Rather than trusting employees to deliver in their own way, the toxic manager doesn’t feel comfortable unless they can see their team in person. We even heard stories in COVID of employees being expected to keep their cameras on when they worked from home mouse clicks monitored by software to record activity.
Toxic corporate culture is cited as one of the biggest causes of employee attrition and is damaging to the success of an organisation.
Presence and availability culture revisited – 3 Plus International
4. Busyness is not strategic activity
When leaders celebrate busyness as a marker of productivity, they overlook the importance of strategic thinking and meaningful work. Focusing solely on staying occupied can result in a frantic pace devoid of purpose, leaving employees feeling overwhelmed and undervalued. And not necessarily more productive or efficient.
5. Micro-management over autonomy
The nervous manager needs to micro-manage. Excessive oversight and micro-management stifle creativity, initiative, and autonomy. Instead of empowering employees to take ownership of their work, micro-managers breed resentment and disengagement, fueling a cycle of dissatisfaction and burnout.
6. Pointless over meaningful benefits
When organisations prioritise superficial perks like Friday bars, pizza parties, and ping-pong tables over meaningful benefits such as parental leave, vacation or heaven forbid a bonus, it sends a clear message about their priorities. While flashy fun perks may provide a temporary morale boost, they are less important to employees. What they really want is comprehensive benefits that protect their financial and physical well-being.
7. Speed kills thoughtfulness
When leaders prioritise speed over quality they risk cultivating a culture of instant responsiveness over thoughtful, well-reasoned communication. This can lead to rushed decisions, misinterpretations, and increased levels of stress. When they value speed over quality, it undermines collaboration and critical thinking. This leads to cultures where uncertainty thrives with increased levels of anxiety and stress.
To combat toxicity perpetuated by these normalised practices, organisations must prioritise a culture of empathy, balance, and respect. This includes setting clear expectations, promoting work-life integration, fostering autonomy, and investing in meaningful benefits that support the holistic well-being of employees.
Pyschosocial hazards
Many of these behaviours that damage psychosocial safety and impact employee well being are every day occurrences in our organisations. Not just that, they are encouraged and rewarded. We have to challenge these entrenched norms and prioritise human-centric approaches, where we can create healthier, more sustainable workplaces. It is only then that burnout and everything that goes with it (high turnover ,absenteeism, low productivity and employee engagement) will become the exception rather than the rule. It’s not just individuals who will benefit but organisations too.
Wonder if your workplace is toxic? Download our Toxic Workplace Checklist
Get in touch to make sure your organisation psychosocially safe. 3Plus carries ISO 45003 Certification
