Impact of Toxic Work Culture on Employee Mental Health in the IT Sector
Author : V Divya Dharshini and Dr. S Maruthavijayan
Abstract :
In the fast-growing Information Technology (IT) sector, employees face continuous pressure to meet deadlines, deliver quality results, and adapt to new technologies. However, such demanding environments often give rise to toxic work cultures, where long working hours, poor management, and lack of emotional support lead to severe stress and mental health problems. This study focuses on how toxic work culture affects the mental well-being of IT employees in Chennai, one of India’s leading IT hubs. Data were collected through surveys and informal discussions with professionals from software, operations, and support departments. The findings reveal that toxic environments increase stress, anxiety, and burnout, reducing job satisfaction and productivity. The study concludes that IT companies must adopt positive management practices, provide mental health counseling, and promote work-life balance to create healthier workplaces.
Keywords :
Toxic work culture, employee mental health, IT sector, work-life balance, burnout.