Latest news with #toxicworkenvironment
The Herald
2 days ago
- General
- The Herald
‘Teaching is breaking us': Eastern Cape's crisis a microcosm of national meltdown
When half of SA's teachers are ready to leave the profession, not because of unruly pupils but because of toxic work environments, you know the system is teetering on the edge. That's what a national study by Stellenbosch University recently revealed. It found that nearly 50% of teachers want to quit, citing stress, poor leadership and burnout, not discipline issues, as the final straw. But what the study does not capture is how this crisis hits harder and deeper in places like the Eastern Cape. In the under-resourced, overlooked schools of the Ngcobo education district, teachers aren't just 'thinking' about leaving. They're already disengaged, emotionally battered and on the brink of collapse. The reality? Children are being taught by professionals who barely hold it together, and no-one is coming to save them. The forgotten foot soldiers Teachers in this district are drowning in stress; silent, unseen casualties of a broken system. But here's the shocking part: most principals have no training or support to help them recognise or manage this burnout. That's not opinion; it's fact, backed by local research involving face-to-face interviews with teachers in five Ngcobo primary schools. Teachers report being emotionally exhausted, unsupported and repeatedly exposed to unresolved conflicts, unfair workloads and dysfunctional leadership. One respondent put it bluntly: 'Some principals don't know how to handle school conflict. There are no structures placed to look after us.' In other words, teachers are suffering in silence while school leaders, many themselves overwhelmed and ill-equipped, turn a blind eye. It starts in grade R and ends in crisis Let's not forget: these aren't high schools. These are primary schools where children are forming foundational skills in reading, maths and emotional development. But when the teacher in front of them is burnt out, angry and absent, what kind of foundation are we laying? Imagine a grade 2 child trying to learn to read from a teacher battling anxiety and depression, someone who hasn't received psychological support in years. That child does not stand a chance. And yet, there are no psychologists, no social workers, and no systemic support for rural teachers. It's a powder keg, and it's already exploding. No systems, no training, no hope According to Voyiya's research, most principals in Ngcobo have no formal systems to identify teachers in distress. They aren't trained to intervene. They don't get the support needed to build a healthy school climate. The result? Dysfunction, absenteeism, incomplete syllabi and plummeting morale. Contrast that with the national picture from Stellenbosch University: teachers across the country are desperate for change. But in rural Eastern Cape schools, the desperation has metastasised into resignation, both literal and emotional. The phrase 'chronic stress' appears in textbooks. But in Ngcobo, it's playing out in real-time, every school day. A failure of leadership and policy Why is it that, in 2025, with all our talk of 'transforming basic education,' there is still no national mandate to train principals in psychosocial leadership? Why is rural Eastern Cape still treated as a footnote in the education conversation, when it's arguably the front line? We need to reframe principals not just as administrators, but as human resource managers, emotional first responders and mental wellness advocates. Until we do, nothing changes. The department of basic education must introduce mandatory psychological wellness training, support systems for school leaders, and place social workers in every school. Anything less is a betrayal. When the teachers break, the system crumbles SA doesn't have a learning problem. It has a leadership problem. It has a support problem. It has a justice problem. If the national government truly cares about learning outcomes, it must stop obsessing over test scores and start caring about the people delivering the curriculum. Teachers aren't robots, they are humans facing immense emotional strain, especially in rural provinces like the Eastern Cape. So here's the hard truth: if we don't address teacher stress with urgency, our children will be taught by ghosts, people present in body but long gone in spirit. And that, more than anything, should terrify us. Dr Mzoli Osborn Voyiya is a school principal and graduated with a PhD in Education Management at Walter Sisulu University, supervised by Prof Sanjay Balkaran. His research focused on teacher wellbeing, rural school leadership and systemic support in under-resourced education districts. This special report into the state of literacy, a collaborative effort by The Herald, Sowetan and Daily Dispatch, was made possible by the Henry Nxumalo Foundation
Al Bawaba
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Former Blizzard employee slams Overwatch's new Pride Month video
ALBAWABA - In reference to the 2021 sexual harassment lawsuit and the toxic work environment allegations, Activision Blizzard is once again the talk of social media after a former employee criticized Overwatch's recently shared "Happy Pride Month" video. Blizzard's former game developer, who goes by the name "Kuro" on X (formerly known as Twitter), took to their account and accused the popular corporation of trying to "save face," despite facing a lawsuit from several former employees. Kuro wrote, "You guys enabled people to sexually assault me and other LGBT people at the company then tried to ruin our lives by running to HR claiming we were responsible for getting assaulted then hijacked the initiatives we created so you could try and save face while we were suing you." An X user took to the Overwatch team's defense, stating that they had nothing to do with the allegations mentioned above and wrote, "The Overwatch dev team had nothing to do with any of that stuff tho." Moreover, several others claimed that most sexual assault and toxic environment allegations were aimed at developers from the World of Warcraft team. you guys enabled people to sexually assault me and other LGBT people at the company then tried to ruin our lives by running to HR claiming we were responsible for getting assaulted then hijacked the initiatives we created so you could try and save face while we were suing you — kuro (@ashlykuro) June 1, 2025 This all comes in after the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a lawsuit against Blizzard in 2021, alleging that the company cultivated a hostile and toxic working environment, including the sexual harassment of female workers. Additionally, LGBTQ employees also reported suffering from a toxic environment during their time there, further claiming that they were targeted with stereotypical jokes about queer culture, as reported by Inverse. A former LGBTQ employee stated, "I never really felt like it was a safe place, to begin with." Three years ago, several employees who were nursing mothers reported that their breast milk had allegedly been stolen from fridges located in Blizzard's dedicated lactation facilities. Moreover, they also accused other employees of placing beer inside the fridges in question, sparking further outrage on social media, as reported by CNN.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Shut your legs' comment, rating female staff: Snoqualmie Police Chief fired after probe
The Brief Former Snoqualmie Police Chief Brian Lynch is accused of sexual harassment and creating a toxic work environment. Lynch denied the allegations, claiming they are exaggerated, but was terminated in April following an investigation. The city plans to implement training to prevent misconduct but has not yet started searching for a new police chief. SNOQUALMIE, Wash. - Newly released documents obtained through a public records request detail alarming allegations of sexual harassment, favoritism, and misconduct within the Snoqualmie Police Department — all reportedly involving former Chief Brian Lynch. The backstory The internal investigation, first prompted by a whistleblower complaint in early February, uncovered what city officials now call a "toxic work environment" during Lynch's tenure as chief, a role in which he oversaw law enforcement operations in both Snoqualmie and North Bend. An executive summary of the findings cites multiple allegations of gender bias, favoritism, leadership failures, and inappropriate behavior. Among the most disturbing claims are reports that Lynch made graphic and degrading remarks towards women, both officers and civilian employees. According to the documents, Lynch is accused of making several inappropriate sexual comments, including: Numerically rating female officers' bodies. Suggesting a school resource officer perform oral sex on a recruit. Asking a civilian employee in a lunchroom if she was tired from performing a sexual act on her husband. Commenting that a female applicant "had a big vagina and needed to keep her legs shut." "This kind of behavior is not acceptable," said Dana McCall, a spokesperson for the City of Snoqualmie. Lynch was terminated in April. In a letter to Mayor Katherine Ross, he pushed back on the findings, calling several of them inaccurate or exaggerated and claiming he was unfairly portrayed. But an anonymous whistleblower email, sent to the mayor and city leadership on February 3, paints a starkly different picture. With the subject line "Problems in the Police Department," the sender detailed concerns over favoritism, alleging Lynch prioritized promotions and assignments for members of his church and men's group. The email also accused Lynch of attending Bible study while on duty and hosting a fantasy football party at his home for on-duty officers — outside city limits. The whistleblower wrote: "It is also clear that if you are not part of Chief Lynch's inner social circle you are at a distinct disadvantage to promotions, career opportunities and specialties." "When we got the complaint, we took it very seriously and immediately launched the investigation," said McCall. The controversy has extended beyond Lynch. Interim Chief Gary Horejsi, who took over following Lynch's departure, was also separately investigated for allegations of inappropriate jokes and sexual harassment. That investigation was later closed and labeled "unfounded." City officials say they are taking steps to move forward. In emails reviewed by FOX 13, the City of Snoqualmie stated it plans to implement additional trainings aimed at preventing workplace misconduct. However, officials are not yet ready to discuss their search for a permanent police chief. The Source Information in this story came from a whistleblower complaint made against former Snoqualmie Police Chief Brian Lynch, the City of Snoqualmie and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Homicide investigation underway after 5-year-old dies in Federal Way, WA Major 5-day SR 18 closure at I-90 in Snoqualmie, WA Alaska man pinned by 700-pound boulder for 3 hours walks away unharmed Why hasn't anyone been charged in Seattle clash arrests? What we know Mandatory driver's education to expand under new Washington law To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Guardian
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Hamburg Ballet dancers accuse artistic director of creating ‘toxic environment'
Ballet dancers at a top German company have reportedly written an excoriating critique of their new artistic director, accusing him of creating a 'toxic work environment.' More than half of the 63 dancers making up the troupe have complained of untenable working conditions under Hamburg Ballet's artistic director, Demis Volpi, who joined the company last September, taking over from the US choreographer John Neumeier. Neumeier, who retired last year at the age of 86 after 51 years in the role, is credited with having taken the German company from relative obscurity to a position of world renown in the dance world. But the mood at the company is now restive, according to a letter written last month to Hamburg's minister of culture, Carsten Brosda, and seen by reputable German media. Five of its 11 first soloists, considered the stars of the ensemble, have announced their resignation, and are due to leave the company at the end of the current season. Both collectively and individually, they have complained of Volpi's lack of leadership and artistic expertise, and the 'deep mistrust that [he] has towards his employees'. 'The current leadership is creating increasing internal problems and a toxic working environment through poor communication, a lack of transparency and an often dismissive attitude,' the letter reads. The criticisms have been echoed by dancers from the company Ballett am Rhein in Düsseldorf, where Volpi was at the helm for four years. They say they were moved by their counterparts in Hamburg to open up about their own similar experiences with him. In a letter also addressed to Brosda, 17 Rhein dancers wrote: 'During his time with us, we found that Mr Volpi created a work environment characterised by inconsistent communication, a lack of transparency, and an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. 'Constructive feedback was often met with negative consequences, which made open exchange difficult and undermined trust.' The dancers warn in the letter: 'It is only a matter of time until not only John Neumeier's legacy will be lost, but also the high standard and the international reputation that the company enjoys.' Hamburg's first soloist, Alexandr Trusch, who came to the company aged 12, after moving to Hamburg from Ukraine, said he was 'abandoning everything' by leaving after 23 years because he could not tolerate the existing situation. 'I'm giving up everything, my career, my work, because I can't support such behaviour and such a low level of artistry which is in danger of destroying everything,' he told broadcaster NDR, saying he did not have a new post in place. He accused Volpi of being someone who 'is very good at selling his visions, but the quality he delivers is abysmal'. The other soloists to have announced their departure are Madoka Sugai, Jacopo Bellussi, Christopher Evans and Alessandro Frola. Sugai, 30, from Atsugi City, Japan, confirmed in an interview with Die Zeit that her departure was related to Volpi's style of leadership. Evans, 30, from Loveland, Colorado, who was the first soloist to announce his resignation, told the newspaper: 'I don't feel like Volpi understands us or has any idea how much work we put in and how much passion we put into our work.' Volpi, 39, who is German-Argentinian, denied the accusations in an interview last week with the Hamburger Abendblatt. More recently, he told the Rheinische Post: 'Intensive discussions are possible and are taking place right now.' He told Die Zeit he would like to respond to the dancers' letter, but said they had yet to send it to him. 'I don't have the letter,' he said, adding that he was 'willing to work on things', but for that to happen 'the criticism must be brought to my attention'. A coach 'who specialises in processes of change' in the field of the performing arts has been appointed at the ballet, Volpi said, whose job would be to mediate between the parties. Volpi was approached by the Guardian for comment through the Hamburg Ballet. Requests for information to the company have been directed to Brosda. In a written statement, Brosda said: 'We take the accusations very seriously and are carrying out lots of discussions behind the scenes. The management and the company must now quickly find solutions together to prevent further damage to everyone.' Meanwhile, the company is continuing to rehearse for the first ballet production choreographed by Volpi for Hamburg in July, an adaptation of the Hermann Hesse novel Demian, a coming of age tale which investigates the themes of identity and morality. Dance critics are expected to be paying far more attention than usual.
