Research findings on toxic workplace cultures show that workers are quitting in large numbers due to a lack of equity, inclusion, and significance at work. Due to its detrimental consequences on workers, toxic workplaces—which are typified by interpersonal conflicts, inadequate communication, elevated stress levels, and a pervasive blame culture—have garnered more public interest. According to the MIT Sloan Management Review, a toxic company Culture is ten times more significant when estimating turnover than remuneration and is by far the biggest indicator of industry-adjusted attrition.
According to the report, the main causes of toxic environments include unethical behavior, a lack of efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a sense of disdain among employees. Such workplace environments are especially common in Nigeria, where there are few employment opportunities due to the country’s 600,000 graduates joining the workforce each year and 33.3% Unemployment rate. According to the Jobberman Nigeria study conducted in 2022, a significant obstacle faced by 34% of the respondents was the absence of trust and teamwork among team members
72% of Nigerian workers report feeling anxious about their jobs.
Poor communication, as per 55% of respondents, is a major barrier to teamwork. Uncertainty about roles and responsibilities was perceived by 46% as a barrier to productive teamwork. A key problem cited by 41% of respondents was a lack of responsibility and accountability. Meanwhile, 39% cited limited training and development opportunities as an issue. Additionally, according to a 2022 International Labour Organization (ILO) poll, roughly 23% of Nigerian employees said they had been the victim of bullying or harassment at work.
A 2023 research by the African Development Bank (AfDB) revealed that 72% of Nigerian workers report feeling anxious about their jobs. Many of them cite organizational upheaval and economic Volatility as major contributing causes. Also, a 2021 survey conducted by the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER), 55% of workers said that they felt their contributions were not acknowledged, which affected their morale and level of job satisfaction. These figures demonstrate how prevalent toxic workplace practices—like harassment, discrimination, subpar management, and low pay—are in Nigerian organizations.
Bullying and harassment are common kinds of workplace toxicity.
These practices spread across all sectors in Nigeria, from the IT industry to the healthcare sector. A culture of fear and mistrust is frequently fostered by “grapevine communication,” which involves using rumors and “workplace snitching” to gain favor in toxic work environments. These circumstances result in emotional exhaustion, high turnover rates, stress, anxiety, and decreased job satisfaction, all of which impair operations and raise expenses. Bullying and harassment at work are common kinds of workplace toxicity in Nigerian workplaces. These can take the form of verbal mistreatment, threats, unfair criticism, or being left out of events or choices.
Another common major challenge is gender-based harassment, especially directed toward women, is a serious problem. Some Nigerian workplaces have toxic environments as a result of their management style. This encompasses partiality, poor communication, dictatorial management philosophies, and unequal treatment. A hostile work environment can be created by micromanagement and a lack of confidence in employees, which can result in discouragement and disinterest. Instead of encouraging collaboration, workplaces that promote unhealthy rivalry frequently turn toxic. Colleague sabotage, gossip, and backstabbing may ensue from this.
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It is actually more important to examine and manage workplace toxicity in Nigerian workplaces, where organizational structures and cultural diversity may make these issues worse. An all-encompassing strategy that incorporates regulatory modifications, managerial development, employee empowerment, and enhanced communication techniques is needed to address the problem in Nigerian workplaces. Organizations in Nigeria may leverage numerous measures to eliminate workplace toxicity and establish an atmosphere that supports employee satisfaction and engagement. Encouraging a positive work environment is crucial for the success of companies as a whole, as well as for the wellbeing of its employees.