Thursday, December 18, 2014

Toxic Work Environments

Simon Sinek explains that in reality very few workplaces operate in this ideal framework in which there is cooperation, Sinek goes on to explain that due to the lack of this ideal environment our jobs are literally killing us. Sinek explains that many work environments lack trust and cooperation causing employees feel unsafe and constantly feel threatened. With this feeling increasing levels of cortisol are released rather than oxytocin and serotonin, hormones that help reduce stress and increase happiness (Sinek, 2014, p. 58). These increased levels of cortisol inhibit the release of oxytocin which is responsible for empathy. This is turn makes us even more selfish causing a cycle of a toxic work environment. This stressful environment really negatively impacts health (Sinek, 2014, p. 57).

 Pellow and Park in the article, “The Political Economy of Work and Health in the Silicon Valley” explain a similar case where worker health is negatively impacted. The workers in this piece however literally work in a toxic environment filled with chemicals (Pellow and Park, 2002, p. 104). Sinek’s case explains the possible long term impact of working somewhere you are unhappy while the Silicon Valley factories cited by Pellow and Park negatively impact in the short run and most definitely in the long run. Pellow and Park would agree with Simon Sinek that our work environments have a huge impact on our health. Sinek discusses the deterioration of health due to a “toxic” mental environment while Pellow and Park presents a work environment which is literary physically “toxic” to the human body.  In order for these toxic environments to be eliminated a "circle of safety" needs to be creates which includes all employees. Sinek states that the treatment leaders give to employees must also be reciprocated by the employees to the leader. With this reciprocation a circle of safety protecting employees and the company from external threats is possible. 

Works Cited:

David Naguib Pellow and Lisa Sun-Hee Park, “The political economy of work and health in silicon valley,” in The Silicon Valley of Dreams: Environmental Injustice, Immigrant Workers, and the High-Tech Global Economy (2002).

Sinek, S. LEADERS EAT LAST: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't. (2014)

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