# Why companies shield toxic managers who make working life hell

A Guardian analysis examines why organisations so often protect abusive managers rather than the employees they harm, despite the damage toxic leadership does to staff wellbeing and retention. It explores the incentives, hierarchies and HR failures that let bullying behaviour go unchecked, and what it would take to hold managers accountable.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Health
- [The Guardian Health](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/sep/24/toxic-bosses-why-do-companies-protect-managers-who-make-working-life-hell) — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:53:33 GMT