Toxic Work Culture and Psychosocial Risks: ILO Report on Workplace Health and Productivity

Recently, a new global report titled “The Psychosocial Working Environment: Global Developments and Pathways for Action” has been released by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

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Key Findings of Report

• High Global Mortality Burden: More than 8,40,000 people die each year around the globe from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks, including long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment.
  • Significant Loss of Healthy Life Years: These risks also lead to nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost each year.
• Substantial Economic Impact: The combined impact of cardiovascular disease and mental disorders associated with psychosocial risk factors is estimated to result in 1.37% of global GDP lost annually. 
•  Long Working Hours as a Major Risk Factor: Long working hours, the report said, are a critical psychosocial risk factor associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, which remains widespread.
  • The ILO estimates that globally, 35% of workers work more than 48 hours per week.
• Workplace Harassment and Violence: Exposure to bullying and other forms of violence and harassment is another major concern. 
  • The ILO estimates that 23% of workers globally have experienced at least one form of violence or harassment in their working life, with psychological violence being the most prevalent at 18%,”

About Toxic Work Culture

• A toxic working environment can be defined as negative attitudes, behaviour and practices that undermine an employee’s overall wellbeing (mental and physical), job satisfaction, and productivity of the company. 
• Work Culture In India:
  • Overworked Workforce: As per an earlier International Labour Organisation Report in 2024, India has the most overworked workforce in Asia, with 50.5% of employees working over 49 hours weekly in 2023.
  • India’s Best Workplaces in Health and Wellness 2023 Report:
    • Workplace wellness scores have declined across industries in 2023 with a significant drop in mental health support, professional growth and development, and effective management and engagement.
    • Higher Rank: Construction, infrastructure and real estate industry and retail leads 
    • Low-Ranked Industries: NGOs, education and training, and professional services have the lowest ratings.
• Attributes of Toxic Work Culture:
  • Non Inclusiveness: Inequities manifested by discriminating against LGBTQ, Disabled, Caste, Religion, Gender, Age, Favouritism and Nepotism etc. 
  • Unethical Work Culture: Promoting Unethical conducts, Dishonesty, and Lack of regulatory compliance
  • Cutthroat Competition: Backstabbing behaviour and office Politics fomented by ruthless competition

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• • No Recognition or Appreciation: Employees need to be valued and appreciated for their work and progress, a lack of which will result in the low level of productivity of both the company and employee.
  • High Turnover Rates: A revolving door of employees due to microaggressions and workplace politics etc. can cause absenteeism and higher turnover rates.

Challenges Posed by Toxic Work Culture and Psychosocial Risks

• Weak Enforcement of Labour Regulations: Despite existing labour laws, there is poor implementation of workplace safety and mental health norms, especially in the informal sector.
  • Gig workers and delivery personnel in India often work 12–14 hours daily without regulated protections, leading to stress and burnout.
• Prevalence of Long Working Hours and Overwork: Excessive working hours have become normalised, increasing risks of cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues.
  • India has one of the most overworked populations in Asia, with over 50% of employees working beyond 49 hours/week, particularly in IT and corporate sectors.
• Lack of Mental Health Support at Workplace: Many organisations lack institutional mechanisms such as counselling, stress management systems, and wellness programmes.
  • Reports indicate a decline in workplace wellness scores in 2023, especially in areas of mental health support and employee engagement.
• Workplace Harassment and Discrimination: Toxic environments marked by bullying, harassment, and discrimination (based on gender, caste, or identity) continue to persist.
  • Cases of workplace harassment in sectors like retail and construction, along with subtle discrimination in hiring and promotions.
• Weak Collective Bargaining and Worker Representation: Limited unionisation and weak worker voice reduce the ability to negotiate fair working conditions and address grievances.
  • In emerging sectors like the platform/gig economy, workers lack formal unions, making them vulnerable to job insecurity and exploitation.

Way Forward

• Improving Work Organisation: The ILO report recommended greater attention to the structural and ongoing aspects of work organisation, including workload, job control, predictability, participation and organisational justice  can encourage a more comprehensive preventive approach. 
• Bridging Policy–Practice Gap: Recommending stronger links between research, policy and workplace practice, the report noted that collective bargaining and social dialogue play an important role in translating legal provisions into sector- and workplace-level measures. 
• Enhancing Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms: Enhanced monitoring and surveillance, more systematic policy evaluation, and the development of practical and participatory approaches to improving work organisation can support the uptake of effective practices and contribute to more consistently safe and healthy psychosocial working environments
• Participatory and Practical Workplace Reforms: It prescribes policy interventions both at the levels of government and industry to address the situation, along with empowering collectivisation of the workforce.

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