A recent study has unveiled a concerning trend regarding the prevalence of toxic managers in the workplace. According to the report, one in three working individuals has encountered a toxic manager within the past five years, and over 40% have departed from a job due to their dissatisfaction with their managers.
Traits associated with toxic managers include micromanagement, inflexibility, intimidation, gaslighting colleagues, and deflecting accountability. These behaviours can significantly impact employees’ mental health and job satisfaction. Nearly half of the study’s respondents emphasized the importance of mental health support and empathy for their job satisfaction, with a similar number highlighting the role of a positive workplace culture in enhancing their job performance, particularly among younger staff.
These findings are particularly relevant in light of another recent study, which suggested that fear of retaliation and a lack of trust in company processes are preventing employees from speaking out as whistleblowers.
The report, conducted by Corndel and based on research with 250 HR decision makers at large organisations and 1,000 UK employees, also revealed that nearly seven in ten HR leaders acknowledge the prevalence of bad managers within their organizations. Only 54% believe that their organization’s leaders possess the necessary skills to cultivate effective high-performing teams.
James Kelly, CEO of Corndel, emphasised the importance of aligning employees’ lived experiences with their expectations for management culture. He highlighted the evolving expectations of employees, which are now focused on empathy, inclusion, and support for mental health and well-being.
The study also suggested that the significant number of toxic and ineffective managers could be partially attributed to the promotion of ‘accidental’ managers into more senior roles due to a lack of qualified candidates, particularly as a result of the skills shortage. Research by the Chartered Institute of Managers found that 82% of those in management positions have not received formal management and leadership training, and half of those without an effective manager plan to leave their organization in the next 12 months.
The majority of HR leaders agree that leadership training is an effective approach to combating a toxic workplace culture, and more than half believe that workplace training can completely eliminate toxicity.
The implications of these findings are clear – the presence of toxic managers in the workplace can have a detrimental impact on employee well-being and job satisfaction. It is crucial for organizations to address these issues and invest in leadership training to create a positive and supportive work environment for their employees.