Toxic Leadership and Women at Work: Why the Impact Is Not Equal

As we get closer to International Women’s Day, I feel compelled to share a less comfortable reality that continues to surface in my research and in my work with clients across North America: women are disproportionately impacted by toxic leadership at work.

Let me be clear: toxic leadership is not gender-specific. Anyone can work for a toxic boss, and anyone can display toxic behavior. My research and experience points to the fact that a female leader is just as likely to be a toxic boss as a male; yet with more males in leadership there are more male toxic bosses. But the impact is not evenly distributed. Women experience toxic workplace cultures more frequently, more intensely, and with longer-lasting consequences.

Our research defines toxic leadership as ongoing covert and/or overt behaviors that undermine employees’ engagement, productivity, and well-being. This includes patterns such as manipulation, disrespect, harassment, exclusion, abuse of power, and psychological harm. Importantly, a “toxic leader” is not a fixed identity but instead consists of behavioral patterns that create damage over time.   

The data is hard to ignore. Eighty-seven percent of professionals report having worked for at least one toxic boss during their careers [1]. But women are 41% more likely than men to report working in toxic workplace cultures [1]. They also report significantly higher rates of workplace harassment, including inappropriate sexualized behavior (44% vs. 29%), discriminatory behavior (20% vs. 9%), and sexual assault (13% vs. 3%) [2]. 

One of the most telling findings from this research is that the toxic culture gap does not shrink with seniority. In fact, it grows. Women in C-suite roles were 53% more likely than their male counterparts to report toxic experiences [1]. Leadership status does not insulate women from toxicity—and in some cases, it may expose them to more of it.

So why does toxic leadership hit women harder? 

The answer lies in how toxic behaviors intersect with existing power dynamics. Women are more likely to experience disrespect from managers, which research consistently shows is the strongest predictor of how employees rate their organizations [1]. Women also report higher exposure to nearly every element of toxic culture, including lack of gender equity and disrespectful leadership, and these experiences accumulate.   

Over time, the impact is profound. Women working under toxic bosses often report decreased confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and engagement. Many feel stuck or helpless, experience dread about going to work, and emotionally detach as a way to cope. What begins as a leadership issue becomes an internal one, with women questioning their competence, commitment, or ambition—rather than the system that’s harming them.   

This is why naming toxic boss behavior matters. When we frame the issue accurately, we stop individualizing a structural problem. And when we stop blaming ourselves, we can begin to protect our well-being, make informed career decisions, and demand better leadership.  

On International Women’s Day, progress means acknowledging where systems are still failing women—and committing to leadership cultures that are respectful, accountable, and human-centric. Toxic leadership is not a rite of passage, and must not be tolerated. Addressing it is essential to building workplaces where women can thrive, not just survive.   

If you’re working for a toxic boss—or still carrying the impact of one—you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. My International Amazon Bestselling book I Wish I’d Quit Sooner offers clear, practical strategies for recognizing toxic leadership, protecting your confidence while you’re still employed, and navigating your next steps with clarity and self-trust.  

References: 

1. Sull, D., & Sull, C. (2023). The toxic culture gap shows companies are failing women. MIT Sloan Management Review. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-toxic-culture-gap-shows-companies-are-failing-women/ 

2. Statistics Canada. (2024, February 12). Gender results framework: A new data table on workplace harassment. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240212/dq240212a-eng.htm  

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Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is an award winning Organizational Psychologist, Keynote Speaker, Business Leader, International Bestselling Author, and Podcast Host of the highly acclaimed podcast Where Work Meets Life™. She is a sought-after thought leader on workplace psychology, the future of work, and career development with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Laura is passionate about creating cultures that attract top talent and where people stay and thrive.  

Dr. Laura has founded several psychology and consulting practices, including Canada Career Counselling in 2009, where registered psychologists across the country have helped thousands of Canadians navigate their career and workplace challenges, while supporting organizations to develop thriving leaders and cultures. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Calgary, where she is currently an Adjunct Professor actively conducting research on toxic leadership across North America.  

Her new book about toxic bosses, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss, endorsed by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, was released on January 13, 2026, and became a #1 Amazon bestseller in Workplace Process & Infrastructure, as well as an Amazon International Bestseller. Drawing from her research and decades of experience, the book offers insight, validation, and practical strategies for those navigating, escaping, and recovering from a toxic boss at any stage of one’s career. 

She has published two psychological thrillers, Losing Cadence and Finding Sophie, which aim to captivate readers while raising awareness about mental health and domestic violence. These novels are currently being adapted into a television series and inspired her to co-found WITH HER, a movement to end violence against girls and women. In recognition of her impactful work, Dr. Laura received a Canadian Women of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. 

For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:

• Canada Career Counselling

• Synthesis Psychology