No one should be having heart problems because of a job.
Yet every day, millions of people walk into workplaces where fear has become normalised, bullying is dismissed as “strong leadership”, and psychological abuse is accepted as the price of earning a living.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
In our latest episode of The Gaslit Brain on The Femcast, I sit down once again with neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr Jen Fraser to explore a question that should concern every employer, leader, HR professional and employee:
What is workplace abuse doing to our brains?
For too long, conversations about toxic workplaces have focused on resilience.
Work harder.
Be tougher.
Develop a thicker skin.
But neuroscience tells us something very different.
When we are repeatedly exposed to humiliation, intimidation, gaslighting, fear and coercive behaviour, our brains don’t become stronger. They become injured. Our nervous systems remain trapped in survival mode. Creativity declines. Decision-making suffers. Our immune systems weaken. Our bodies become exhausted.
Eventually, many people become physically ill.
Anxiety.
Depression.
Heart problems.
Autoimmune conditions.
Burnout.
Long-term sickness absence.
These aren’t signs of personal weakness.
They’re signs of brains and bodies responding exactly as neuroscience predicts they will.
That is why these conversations matter.
At The Femcast, our goal has never been simply to talk about abuse.
Our goal is to stop it before it starts.
We want people to recognise the early warning signs of manipulation, coercive control and psychologically unsafe leadership long before their health begins to deteriorate. We want employees to understand that living in a constant state of stress is not normal. We want leaders to recognise that healthy workplaces are not built through fear but through trust, respect and psychological safety.
Perhaps one of the most powerful messages Dr Fraser shares is this:
There is zero credible research showing that abusing employees creates better performance.
None.
Not one body of evidence concludes that humiliation, intimidation or fear produces healthier organisations or more successful teams.
What decades of neuroscience and organisational research consistently demonstrate is the opposite.
Healthy brains are more creative.
Healthy brains solve problems more effectively.
Healthy brains collaborate better.
Healthy brains innovate.
Healthy brains build stronger organisations.
When people feel psychologically safe, productivity rises. Engagement increases. Absenteeism falls. Staff retention improves. Teams flourish because their brains are free to think, create and perform rather than simply survive.
So why are so many organisations still relying on outdated cultures built on fear?
That is the question we need to keep asking.
Workplaces have evolved enormously when it comes to physical safety. Hard hats, high-visibility clothing, ergonomic equipment and health and safety legislation all exist because we recognise that physical injuries matter.
Isn’t it time we afforded the same protection to the brain?
Psychological safety isn’t a luxury.
It’s not a buzzword.
It’s brain protection.
And when we protect the brain, we protect everything that follows: health, relationships, performance, innovation and ultimately the success of every organisation.
This series isn’t about blaming organisations.
It’s about helping create better ones.
It’s about giving people the knowledge to recognise harmful behaviour, challenge unhealthy cultures and build workplaces where people don’t simply survive the working week – they thrive.
If this conversation resonates with you, please share it.
Someone you know may be silently wondering why work is making them sick.
They deserve to know they are not imagining it.
And perhaps, together, we can help build workplaces where no one has to sacrifice their health simply to earn a living.
Because healthy cultures don’t just create better workplaces.
They create healthier brains, healthier people and a healthier society.
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