“But you will have to be available on WhatsApp 24x7!”
In India, despite the growing grandeur of workplaces, the mindset of many managers remains stagnant. Unfortunately, outdated attitudes towards employee appearance and a lack of trust in their team members are still prevalent. Some managers even resort to unreasonable demands and harassment tactics, such as imposing pay cuts for simple personal choices like colouring hair or keeping a beard. Sometimes, peons may even resort to stalking employees, while managers may enforce strict attendance policies that restrict flexibility and autonomy. This unfortunate reality makes it all the more important for Indian workplaces to prioritise creating a positive and respectful work environment for all employees.
India's work culture has a toxic tendency to glorify long work hours and hard work, leading to widespread burnout and exhaustion. The pressure to constantly hustle and grind is often justified under the guise of motivational phrases like "no excuses" or "the grind never stops," but in reality, it perpetuates extreme workaholism. This toxic culture is particularly pronounced in India, where a huge population means that individuals feel dispensable and replaceable. As a result, the pressure to work constantly and be always available has reached alarming levels, leading to a dangerous cycle of exhaustion and burnout.
The prevalence of toxic work cultures in India is leading to a range of disturbing issues in the workplace. From being made to skip weekends four times in a row and work 24x7 for 30 days straight to facing office favouritism, dejection, workplace remarks, and even sexual harassment, employees are being subjected to a range of disturbing behaviors. This is causing even the most talented professionals to quit their dream jobs, as the toll of working in a toxic environment becomes too great to bear.
What does a toxic workplace look like?
While many factors can contribute to a toxic workplace culture, weak leadership is perhaps the most pervasive. Ineffective leaders who are in the wrong positions or lack a clear and persistent business strategy can create a ripple effect throughout the organisation, leading to a variety of problems. These leaders are supposed to be the stewards of the company's image and brand, but their incompetence often has the opposite effect. From low morale and lack of direction to a toxic work environment and high turnover rates, the impact of weak leadership can be felt throughout the organisation.
Toxic work environments are characterized by negative behaviours such as reprimanding employees in public, lack of clarity about organizational objectives, fear of expressing opinions, and derogatory feedback. There is an increasing level of micromanagement, passive aggression, and hostility within teams.
Watch out for these warning signs in a toxic workplace:
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Cliques and culture of gossip - People are being excluded. Employees spread rumours behind others’ backs.
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Poor communication - Employee input seems to go nowhere or there’s a lack of transparency around crucial processes or events.
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Mistrust of leadership or between coworkers - People don’t trust others to follow through or treat them with respect.
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Lack of empathy from leadership - Leaders put deadlines or personal reputation before their employees’ well-being.
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Frequent employee turnover - You’re seeing high levels of burnout or a high number of people who quit after just a few months at your company.
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Subtle workplace bullying - Conduct that’s threatening, humiliating, or intimidating including verbal or emotional abuse.
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Poor work/life balance - People are constantly working overtime or are expected to answer work calls and emails at all hours.
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Unequal enforcement of policies - Exceptions to discipline or other policies are made for high performers or “favourites.”
Why employers cannot afford to ignore employee burnout
Creating a supportive and positive work environment should be a crucial focus for any organization today. Apart from being the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Neglecting employee well-being and leaving burnout unaddressed can lead to the loss of valuable talent and have a detrimental impact on employee morale. Burnout is a gradual process that takes time to develop. Employees who experience high levels of stress at work are more likely to leave their jobs. Leaders should take action early on when employees begin to show signs of disengagement to prevent burnout from escalating and affecting the team or organization negatively.
What can employers do to prevent a toxic work culture?
“People leave managers, not companies.”
To prevent a toxic workplace culture, start by evaluating your managers to ensure they are in the right position to succeed. Assess if they have the necessary skills to lead a team and if they can relate to and empathize with their staff. Additionally, evaluate if they have a positive attitude to overcome challenges. If the answer to most of these questions is negative, it may be time to consider making a change.
Employee engagement surveys are an effective way for organizations to stay connected to their workforce and address any challenges they may be facing. These surveys can provide valuable feedback on the performance of management teams and help identify areas where improvement is needed. Encouraging employees to provide honest and open feedback can help highlight executives who may be struggling to lead effectively, allowing for necessary changes to be made. Overall, conducting regular employee engagement surveys can help organizations foster a culture of transparency and improve overall employee satisfaction.
To foster a positive and productive workplace culture, it is important to avoid command-and-control leadership styles that can harm employee engagement and productivity. Instead, leaders should focus on clear communication and setting realistic expectations, especially in the midst of uncertainty. The pandemic has demonstrated that effective leadership can drive strong team performance even during challenging times. It is crucial for leaders to promote positivity and eliminate negativity within the workplace culture, starting with their own leadership approach.
Positive leaders have the ability to inspire their team with optimism and hope, and recognize individual and group achievements. They focus on opportunities for future improvement rather than complaining or blaming. During challenging times, leaders who show empathy, humility, and integrity can build inclusive cultures that encourage purpose, innovation, and mutual support.
How can a toxic workplace be fixed?
Fixing a toxic workplace culture can be a complex and long-term process that requires commitment and effort from both leaders and employees. Here are a few steps that can help:
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Acknowledge the problem: Leaders must acknowledge and take responsibility for the existence of a toxic workplace culture.
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Conduct a thorough evaluation: Identify the root causes of the problem through surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations with employees.
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Develop a clear action plan: Based on the evaluation, develop a clear action plan to address the issues and create a positive work environment.
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Communicate with employees: Communicate the action plan to employees, and provide regular updates on progress.
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Train leaders and employees: Provide training to leaders and employees on how to recognize and address toxic behaviors, and how to promote a positive work environment.
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Hold people accountable: Ensure that all employees, including leaders, are held accountable for their actions and behaviors.
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Celebrate progress: Recognize and celebrate progress towards a positive work environment, and continue to make improvements over time.