CAREER’S CORNER – Workplace culture, stress, burnout and how to toxic leaders harm employee mental health.

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GUEST - Prof Renata Schoeman - Head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School



According to the latest Gallup report, 36% of the South African workforce experience excessive daily stress and more than 71% are either disengaged or actively disengaged at work – some of the alarming signs of burnout.

This is not surprising considering that according to the Mental State of the World Report, South Africa, with a mental health quotient of 50, ranks 69 out of 71 countries and has the greatest percentage of distressed or struggling respondents at 35%.

Studies have found the dedicated and committed are particularly prone to burnout - a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. The condition is classified as an occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organisation for its debilitating impact on productivity, bottom-line and the overall health of especially, top achievers
22 Sep 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

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