Toxic Workplaces

Behind the calm demeanor of Bhutan’s civil service and corporate institutions lies a reality many dare not speak aloud- toxic office environments that are draining morale, creativity, and mental health. In a nation that prides itself on compassion and harmony, this growing toxicity is Bhutan’s silent workplace crisis.

Whether in government agencies, corporate offices, SOEs or CSOs stories abound of intimidation masquerading as discipline, micromanagement dressed up as accountability, and favoritism disguised as efficiency. Talented and honest employees are sidelined while sycophants’ flourish. Doing well is often about proximity or access to power, not merit. The result is a culture where speaking the truth becomes a liability and silence, a survival tactic.

Day after day, capable and committed professionals walk into offices where fear, favoritism, and micromanagement rule, not leadership.

This toxicity is not just about bad bosses. It’s systemic enabled by weak leadership, lack of accountability, and the absence of effective grievance redressal mechanisms. Employees are told to be ‘loyal’ or ‘respectful’ but that often means enduring bullying, overwork, and even psychological abuse in silence.

The typical toxic Bhutanese office is defined not by workload, but by power plays, silencing of dissent, and emotional manipulation disguised as discipline. Bosses are rarely held accountable. Loyalty is rewarded more than competence. The result is an environment where people stop innovating and start surviving. Worse, genuine feedback is labelled ‘disrespect’ and grievances are covered up.

Mental health issues are rising, but remain taboo in the workplace. Burnout is common, yet rarely acknowledged. Employees feel trapped unable to speak up for fear of retribution, unable to leave due to limited opportunities. The long-term cost is a disengaged workforce, high turnover, and a collapse in service delivery.

Leaders, especially at the top, must set the tone not by issuing circulars, but by embodying empathy, fairness, and courage.

Toxic offices are killing the spirit of Bhutan’s professionals. We cannot claim to pursue happiness as a nation while allowing misery to fester in our workplaces. The silence must end.

We may be a smaller society, but the damage is no less. Many talented Bhutanese either leave the country or resign internally doing the bare minimum, disconnected from the purpose of their work.

If we continue to tolerate toxic work environments, we risk destroying the very institutions we rely on to build Bhutan’s future.

‘A bad system will beat a good person every time.’ – W. Edwards Deming