CONSEQUENCES OF TOXIC WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

Abstract

Purpose The present study investigates the impact of toxic workplace environment on employee engagement, organizational support and employee well-being. Methodology and design The data has been collected from the employees ofthe organizations in Pakistan. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire has been used as the data collection technique. The regression analysis conducted in this research as the conceptual framework includes multiple independent variables and a single dependent variable. Moreover, the study included recent literature, i.e., from the years 2018-2021. Findings The relationship between a toxic workplace environment and employee engagement, organizational support and employee well-being confirms that if employees are working in a toxic environment, they will spread negative feelings among other co-workers. The feelings that come with a toxic workplace environment, i.e., harassment, bullying, and ostracism, can be detrimental and lead to unnecessary stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety among the workers. Second, employee well-being will affect employee behaviors that enhance employee engagement with the work as well as with the organization. Third, organizational support also increases employee engagement with the work as well as with the organization. So, it is also confirmed that when workers perceive the support from the organization, their sense of belonging to the organization is strengthened. Limitations Due to a lack offinancial resources, the study was limited to collecting responses from Karachi based organizations, rendering generalizability hard. Such research may be carried out in the future in a different nation or in a different sector, such as healthcare, transportation, building, or information technology. Also the gender effect in the relationship between a toxic workplace environment and employee satisfaction was not taken into account in this study. Recommendations To prevent the emergence of a toxic environment and thereby maintain physical and mental balance among employees, psychological support. Employees who receive this kind ofsupport from their employers are better able to maintain their productivity levels, which ultimately benefits both the and the employees.