Article: Unhealthy Workplaces: What to leave behind in 2024

Workplaces are ecosystems where employees' physical, emotional, and environmental safety should be prioritised. However, recent high-profile incidents have questioned workplace safety and culture shortcomings, illustrating what organisations must avoid.

From allegations of toxic leadership at Saudi Arabia’s Neom project to the tragic death of a young employee at EY India, these events highlight the urgent need for companies to establish environments that safeguard well-being. Furthermore, external challenges, such as the growing impact of climate change, add complexity to ensuring employee safety.

These examples underscore the consequences of neglecting employee safety, emotional health, and inclusivity. The lessons are clear: leadership accountability, robust safety protocols, and supportive work culture are essential to fostering safe and respectful workplaces.

Toxic Leadership

Saudi Arabia’s Neom project, an ambitious megacity initiative, has been marred by accusations of a toxic work environment. Reports allege that Wayne Borg, a senior executive, created a culture rife with racism, misogyny, and blatant disregard for worker safety. Claims of derogatory comments about expatriates and insensitive reactions to workplace fatalities from NEOM's former CEO reflect a leadership failure at the highest level. In one particular incident, following the deaths of three workers due to unsafe conditions, Borg allegedly dismissed the tragedy with an offhand comment about scheduling a meeting on Sunday night.

Leadership failures like these demonstrate the critical need for organisations to prioritise employee welfare. Ethical leadership is not optional; it is a prerequisite for a safe and productive workplace. Companies must cultivate ethical behavior through comprehensive training programs, open communication channels, and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Moreover, leaders must actively monitor safety protocols and encourage employees to report concerns through anonymous channels, ensuring a culture of trust and accountability.

The normalisation of overwork

The emotional toll of toxic work environments is further highlighted by the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young employee at EY India. Anna faced relentless workloads and inadequate rest, issues flagged by her colleagues but ignored by management. Her mother’s public letter to EY’s chairman criticised the firm’s culture, accusing it of prioritising productivity over employee health.

Anna’s case reveals the dangers of systemic neglect, where overwork and burnout are normalised. Overburdened employees suffer not only from mental and emotional stress but also from physical health risks, diminishing their overall well-being and productivity. Companies must dismantle the culture of overwork by conducting regular workload assessments and promoting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Policies that emphasise employee health over productivity quotas are crucial to preventing similar tragedies.

The emerging threat of climate crisis

While internal organisational culture poses significant risks, external forces like climate change are introducing new hazards to workplace safety. According to 2024 report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), over 70 per cent of workers globally face a “cocktail” of health risks due to climate change. The report revealed alarming statistics: over 2.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat, with nearly 19,000 heat-related deaths annually. Moreover, this proportion has increased sharply, from 65.5 per cent in 2000 to current levels.

The report also highlights the inadequacy of existing occupational safety and health (OSH) protections against these risks. Over 22.87 million work-related injuries are reported annually due to excessive heat, along with significant losses in health and productivity, such as 2.09 million “disability-adjusted life years” due to heat-related illnesses.

Regions like the Middle East, where temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius, exemplify the challenges of climate-related workplace hazards. While initiatives like Oman’s midday work ban offer some relief, they fall short of addressing the broader systemic risks posed by rising global temperatures.

Organisations must adapt by implementing robust safety measures for outdoor workers. These include providing protective gear, ensuring access to shaded rest areas, maintaining hydration, and utilising advanced cooling technologies. Training on the dangers of heat exposure and the implementation of emergency response systems are essential to protecting workers. Such proactive measures not only safeguard employees but also demonstrate an organisation’s commitment to resilience and responsibility.

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The workplace wellbeing roadmap ahead ..

While organisations often respond to crises with public commitments, these are insufficient without concrete actions. Following Anna Sebastian Perayil’s death, EY faced widespread criticism for its perceived lack of accountability and empathy. Effective organisational change requires more than symbolic gestures; it demands transparent processes, timely investigations, and corrective actions that hold individuals accountable.

Building a supportive workplace culture also involves promoting inclusivity and diversity. Discriminatory behaviors, such as the racism and misogyny alleged at Neom, erode employee morale and organisational integrity.

Workplace safety is incomplete without addressing mental health. Overwork, stress, and burnout compromise emotional well-being and organisational performance. Employers must offer mental health resources, such as counseling and wellness programs, and normalise their use without stigma. Managers should be trained to recognise signs of workplace stress and equipped to provide support, ensuring employees feel valued and understood.

Leadership must prioritise ethical practices, enforce robust safety standards, and create a culture of trust and inclusivity. Organisations must also anticipate external risks, such as climate change, by adapting safety protocols and supporting workers in vulnerable environments.

Quick tips for fostering workplace safety

Promote awareness and training: Offer workshops on harassment prevention, cultural sensitivity, and workplace safety.
Ensure transparent reporting: Establish anonymous channels for employees to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
Prioritise physical safety: Conduct regular safety audits and address hazards promptly.
Monitor workloads: Balance workloads to prevent burnout and enforce clear boundaries for work hours.
Encourage inclusivity: Develop policies that support diversity and actively combat discrimination.
Provide psychological support: Offer counseling services, wellness programs, and mental health resources.
Prepare for climate risks: Adapt safety measures to mitigate environmental hazards, especially for outdoor workers.