Towards a Framework and Development of a Screening Tool for Toxic Work Cultures

Canadian organizations struggle to manage the effects of toxic work cultures. Despite the tools and solutions offered by HR and occupational psychology consulting firms, as well as provincial and federal organizations, the Labour Force Survey report (2023) indicates that over 4.1 million Canadians suffer from work-related stress, representing 21.2% of the workforce. In Canada, the financial consequences of health and mental illness problems are estimated at over $50 billion per year, with $20 billion directly attributed to workplace-related losses.

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To date, research teams have primarily focused on the effects of toxic behaviors such as harassment, incivility, discrimination, and toxic leadership. In this project, we argue that these behaviors are symptoms, not causes, of toxic work cultures. Our project aims to identify the elements that generate and maintain these cultures despite existing HR structures and policies.

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Our proposal contributes to the scientific literature in three ways: it offers an integrative review of the factors causing and propagating toxic cultures, provides a comprehensive framework for studying these cultures, and develops a preliminary screening tool accessible to researchers and organizations to identify warning signs.

This tool will help HR professionals target their efforts to reduce toxicity and improve employee well-being and health. Our framework will enable the development of new solutions to create safer and more inclusive work environments.