Recent research published in the MIT Sloan Management Review reveals that we are 41% more likely than our male counterparts to be subjected to toxic corporate culture. And it gets worse – the study shows that this despicable gap has only widened in recent years, especially since the pandemic hit. Even women in top-level executive positions aren’t immune from this scourge – they’re a shocking 53% more likely to experience toxicity in the workplace. It’s high time we address this issue and demand that corporations take action. As Donald Sull, the lead author and a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, rightfully points out, we’ve been fighting for pay equity, and now it’s time to fight for a safe and healthy work environment too.
Well, according to Donald Sull, senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and co-founder of CultureX, a company that uses AI to measure and improve corporate culture, you’re not alone. In fact, recent research shows that women are even more affected by this detrimental culture gap than we previously thought. But Sull isn’t just raising awareness; he’s taking action. For this study, he and co-author Charles Sull analyzed the language used by over 3 million U.S. employees in Glassdoor reviews between 2016 and 2021, and the results were staggering. Women were found to be more critical of almost every aspect of workplace culture and employee experience, from collaboration to work-life balance. It’s time to band together and demand change from our employers. Let’s start holding them accountable for creating a healthy and inclusive environment for all.
The research shows that women are not only more likely to experience disrespectful and abusive behavior but are also significantly more likely to mention issues related to diversity and inclusion, such as race, disability, and LGBTQ+ equity. It’s a heartbreaking truth, but it’s not all doom and gloom. CultureX and Revelio Labs have shown that toxic corporate culture is the number one cause of employee resignations, and it’s ten times more likely to contribute to turnover than inadequate compensation. So, it’s clear that we need to demand change from our employers and strive for a better work environment.
We cannot ignore the fact that toxic culture in the workplace is taking a massive toll on both organizations and individuals. This is according to Donald Sull, senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and co-founder of CultureX, who has spent years advising companies on how to tackle this critical issue. His advice? Leaders who want to make a real difference must focus on the employee experience and take sustained action to identify and eliminate toxic behaviors at every level of the organization. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s a necessary cultural detox that will reap long-term benefits.