US Surgeon General Report Links Toxic Work Environments With Negative Health Outcomes

Having a bad boss isn’t just a source of frustration; it can be bad for your health. That’s according to a new report released by the US Surgeon General’s office that linked toxic workplaces and other negative job factors like low wages, discrimination, overwork, harassment, and long commutes to chronic physical conditions like heart disease and cancer and mental conditions like depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many professionals to rethink their work-life balance, and this report confirms there’s good reason for maintaining those boundaries. “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of work, and the relationship many workers have with their jobs. The link between our work and our health has become even more evident,” US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, said in a statement. The report itself reflected this notion: “These role conflicts can magnify psychological stress, increase the risk for health behaviors such as smoking, unhealthy dietary habits, alcohol and substance use, and medication overuse, and cause disruptions to relationships both at work and at home.”