A recent Businessolver survey revealed a troubling trend: 52% of CEOs perceive their workplace culture as toxic, a 10 percentage-point increase from 2023. This figure surpasses the nearly one-third of employees who reported a detrimental work environment. The survey, conducted between mid-February and early March, included approximately 3,100 U.S. workers, about 400 of whom were CEOs.
One might assume that CEOs, aware of the toxicity, are well-positioned to address these issues. However, the survey also found that many CEOs are grappling with their own mental health challenges. In the past year, 55% of CEOs reported experiencing mental health issues, marking a 24 percentage-point increase.
This rise in mental health challenges among corporate leaders has not necessarily led to a shift in perceptions within organizations. CEOs are most likely to believe that companies view employees with mental health issues as “weak” or a “burden,” with about 80% of CEOs holding this view. In comparison, 72% of HR professionals and about two-thirds of employees felt the same.
Rae Shanahan, chief strategy officer at Businessolver suggests that some CEOs may avoid displaying empathy, fearing it might undermine their authority and their ability to meet shareholder expectations while fostering a positive work environment. She noted that there’s a misconception that empathy equates to being “soft” and incapable of holding people accountable.
Shanahan proposed that companies could benefit from treating employees more like customers, employing UX teams to better understand organizational behaviors towards employees. This might involve examining onboarding processes and the types of communications new employees receive, ensuring consistency and clarity.
Additionally, addressing employee mental health needs could significantly improve workplace culture. About 90% of employees highlighted the importance of measures like flexible working hours, open-door policies, and encouraging time off to maintain their mental health. Shanahan emphasized treating employees as responsible adults, allowing them to balance work and personal life effectively.
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