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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Rachael Sigee

From psychological torture to pooing in a suitcase: why are the workplaces on TV so toxic?

Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) looking stressed in front of a table with culinary implements in The Bear.
No time for niceties … Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) in season 3 of The Bear. Photograph: FX Networks

In the first series of Slow Horses, MI5’s Jackson Lamb gives a motivational speech: “You’re fucking useless. The lot of you. Working with you has been the lowest point in a disappointing career.” This is actually fairly uplifting from a man who is as likely a contender for a “World’s Best Boss” mug as The Thick of It’s Malcolm Tucker.

On TV, staff morale is at an all time low. From hellish hospitality to callous corporate overlords, going to work has never looked less appealing. Instead of bumbling idiots for bosses, we have tortured geniuses and masochistic maniacs. The daily grind is one of high stakes, long hours and limited rewards – with not an HR department in sight.

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