'Heeramandi' actress Richa Chadha opens up about working with toxic colleagues

Actress Richa Chadha , who's work in the newly released series ' Heeramandi ' is being much appreciated, recently revealed in an interview that she too has faced the brunt of working with toxic co-workers. From so-called 'feminist' producers whose cheques have bounced to toxic co-stars who compete in unhealthy ways, Richa has faced them all.

"I don’t think I subscribe to the fact that all women are saints. I’ve had some terrible experiences with female producers whose cheques bounced and they pretend to be feminists on Twitter (now changed to X). I’ve also had toxic co-actors constantly competing with me by not giving the right cues and cutting out the lights in scenes. I can’t say that I have had a uniform, monolithic experience. Sisterhood definitely exists and it’s real when you build it, craft it and nurture it. But it takes more than one person to understand and create that,” Richa told News18 in a candid interview.

By speaking up against toxic workplace culture and colleagues, the actress has sparked a discussion about the need for professionalism and supportive work environments for workers. And this is regardless of one's gender. It also shows that toxic workplaces exists in every field of work, be it the highly competitive corporate jobs or the creative film industry.

The question then is, how can one handle toxic colleagues especially when leaving the workplace or ignoring them is not an option? Here we list down some tips for employees dealing with such situations:

1. Set healthy boundaries: Protect yourself from your colleagues' toxic and jealous behaviours by setting clear boundaries. Limit interactions with them and keep it restricted to only work-related matters.
2. Maintain professionalism: Despite the triggering behaviours of your toxic co-worker, remain calm and professional at the workplace. This helps in preventing escalation of matters and maintains your own integrity.
3. Document incidents: Keep records of instances where the toxic behaviour of your co-worker was intended at harming you at the workplace. If the matter escalades and is repeated frequently, you can report the matter to your manager, HR or management for resolving it.

4. Seek support from trusted colleagues, friends, or mentors at the workplace for your bad experiences. They may offer some valuable advice or support on how to cope with such situations.
5. Focus on self-care and your work: Toxic environments can sometimes take a toll on your well-being and mental health. Instead of being stressed about it, practice self-care techniques like mindfulness, meditation or journaling to find maintain work-life balance.

After all, even Shri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that one should give their 100 per cent to their work and not focus much or be attached to the outcome. For those who work hard would always be rewarded.

So stay calm, and carry on.