Irish Mental Health Charity Warns of ‘Toxic Boss’ Impact on Employee Wellbeing


National mental health charity Turn2Me is urging Irish employers to prioritise workplace mental health supports, highlighting research that shows poor leadership can cause lasting psychological damage including anxiety, depression, and PTSD-like symptoms.

The Dublin-based charity’s call comes as new data reveals the staggering economic cost of workplace mental health issues. According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 15% of working-age adults have a mental disorder at any point in time, with depression and anxiety costing the global economy US $1 trillion annually through lost productivity alone.

Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, said:

“We’re seeing more people come to Turn2Me suffering from anxiety, depression, and even PTSD-like symptoms linked to toxic workplace cultures. A very common theme is a bad boss. Most of us spend most of our time at work, more than the time we spend with family or friends, so a toxic workplace can be really damaging to a person’s mental health.”

She continued:

“People tend to perform better when they are respected and valued, when they are heard, and when they are given clear and reasonable targets.”

The charity has identified seven key ways toxic leadership damages employee mental health. These include increased anxiety through micromanagement and inconsistent expectations, lowered self-esteem from constant criticism or gaslighting, and burnout from unrealistic workloads without recognition.

Depression and hopelessness can develop when employees feel trapped with no support or recourse, whilst workplace stress contributes significantly to sleep disturbances that worsen mood and focus. Many affected employees begin withdrawing socially to avoid further conflict, and chronic psychological stress can manifest physically through high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and persistent headaches.

Suzanne Ennis, Clinical Manager at Turn2Me, emphasised the broader impact:

“Employees don’t just leave bad jobs; they leave bad bosses. But often, they don’t leave at all, they just suffer in silence. Employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to do better.”

Turn2Me is encouraging companies across Ireland to implement comprehensive mental health strategies. Their recommendations include introducing anonymous mental health supports such as free access to therapy platforms and peer support groups, which encourage early intervention before problems escalate.

The charity also advocates for manager training focused on psychological safety and empathy, emphasising emotional intelligence and active listening over pure productivity metrics. Creating cultures of open communication through normalised mental health conversations, feedback channels, and anonymous reporting systems can reduce stigma and prevent workplace mental health crises.

The timing of Turn2Me’s campaign reflects growing awareness of workplace mental health issues across Ireland. As remote and hybrid working arrangements continue to evolve post-pandemic, the relationship between management style and employee wellbeing has become increasingly scrutinised.

For employees currently experiencing toxic workplace situations, Turn2Me offers confidential support through their online platform and helpline services, providing both professional counselling and peer support groups specifically designed for workplace-related mental health challenges.