IN CONVERSATION WITHCASSEY CHAMBERS, (Operations Director at SADAG)
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Toxic work environments are taking a serious toll on South African
employees’ mental health, with one in four workers diagnosed with
depression.
Professor Renata Schoeman from the Stellenbosch Business School says
workplace bullying and harassment often go unreported because many
victims choose resignation over risking retaliation.
According to Professor Schoeman, over a quarter of resignations last year
10:35
were linked to conflicts with line managers, including bullying and
harassment.
She warns that the culture of silence around workplace abuse is now fuelling
the country’s mental health crisis.
Schoeman says toxic works environments impact on employees’ mental
health, arguing that it is currently estimated that it contributes to one in four
working South Africans diagnosed with depression.
“But even further than that, it’s not only depression. It can manifest as
burnout, damaged self-esteem, anxiety, and even physical ailments due to
the stress. At an organisational level, the financial impact of this toxicity leads
to a drain of talent and innovative capacity. There’s lost productivity,
absenteeism, a high staff turnover with increased recruitment and training
cost,” adds Schoeman.
employees’ mental health, with one in four workers diagnosed with
depression.
Professor Renata Schoeman from the Stellenbosch Business School says
workplace bullying and harassment often go unreported because many
victims choose resignation over risking retaliation.
According to Professor Schoeman, over a quarter of resignations last year
10:35
were linked to conflicts with line managers, including bullying and
harassment.
She warns that the culture of silence around workplace abuse is now fuelling
the country’s mental health crisis.
Schoeman says toxic works environments impact on employees’ mental
health, arguing that it is currently estimated that it contributes to one in four
working South Africans diagnosed with depression.
“But even further than that, it’s not only depression. It can manifest as
burnout, damaged self-esteem, anxiety, and even physical ailments due to
the stress. At an organisational level, the financial impact of this toxicity leads
to a drain of talent and innovative capacity. There’s lost productivity,
absenteeism, a high staff turnover with increased recruitment and training
cost,” adds Schoeman.
