Experts Warn Against ‘Toxic Productivity’ in the Workplace: Four Red Flags and Solutions

Workplace culture that encourages constant output at the expense of employee well-being may be fostering what experts call “toxic productivity,” according to Jennifer Moss, speaker and author of "Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants". Toxic productivity is defined as the compulsion to remain constantly productive—even when it harms one’s health.

Moss warns that such environments can be detrimental to both individuals and organizations. “After people are working so many hours, they actually are losing productivity, so they’re making less gains,” Moss told CNBC Make It.

Three white ceramic pots with green leaves next to an open notebook with a pen on top | Source: Pexels

According to Moss, signs that a workplace may be reinforcing toxic productivity include:

Employees being praised for working late

Leaders sending emails on weekends or evenings

Staff routinely eating lunch at their desks

Promotions going to those who overwork to the point of burnout

To address these issues, Moss emphasizes the importance of leadership modeling healthy behaviors. “They should really emphasize that well-being is part of being a high-performing person in the organization, by modeling it themselves,” she said.

One recommended strategy is “loud vacationing,” a practice where leaders openly take and enjoy time off, encouraging others to do the same. “I am taking time [off],” Moss suggests leaders might say, or post messages like, “‘I’m going for a 15-minute walk. Even if it’s virtual, who wants to join me?’”

A person sitting in front of a computer | Source: Pexels

Leaders should also regularly solicit feedback. “I suggest this one meeting once a week where you’re asking people: ‘What lit you up?’ ‘What stressed you out this week?’ and ‘What can we do for each other to make work easier?’” Moss said.