A majority of employees in India (71%) feel the practice of discrimination and partiality by reporting managers is the primary source of toxicity within organisations, according to a report by staffing firm Genius Consultants published by the Press Trust of India.

The report also noted that approximately 13% of respondents attributed toxicity to managerial tyranny and ill behaviour. At the same time, 88% of respondents identified ‘toxic work culture’ as a major factor contributing to high attrition rates.

The direct link between employee retention and the establishment of a positive work culture cannot be ignored, the report noted. Genius Consultants’ report also showed 3% of employees do not share this perspective.

The report revealed that 91% of respondents believed that a higher salary could mitigate the impact of a toxic work culture, suggesting that while monetary compensation is not an answer, it can play a role in offsetting the negative effects.

However, a small section of just 2% of respondents did not agree with this sentiment, the report noted.

The report also found that 94% of employees interviewed stated their willingness to speak up against senior personnel or reporting managers who propagate toxicity within the workplace.

The majority, or 92%, of respondents recognised the pivotal role of HR in monitoring and controlling issues related to toxic work culture and taking proactive measures to address concerns and create positive change.

While the majority of respondents acknowledged the vital role that HR plays in fostering a positive and healthy workplace environment, 3% of respondents feel other factors or departments hold greater responsibility for mitigating toxic work culture.

"The results of this survey serve as a wake-up call to the challenges that persist within workplaces today. Organisations need to be committed to addressing these concerns and fostering a culture where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered," Genius Consultants Chairman and MD RP Yadav said.

This report is based on an online survey of 1,531 employees from 16 July to 16 August across sectors, including banking and finance, construction and engineering, education, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), hospitality, HR solutions, IT, ITES (IT enabled services) and BPO (business process outsourcing), among others.