Generational Differences and Organizational Toxic Workplace in Teachers in the Eastern Economic Corridor Area of Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to explain generational differences among teachers and to examine the factors that affect organizational toxic workplace (OTW) in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) area of Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 teachers in the EEC. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The data collection period was between 20 January and 2 February, 2025. Data were analyzed with multiple logistic regression analysis. The results showed that teachers in Generations X, Y, and Z had significantly different self-experiences of bullying (P < 0.05), with a high level for Generation Y at 47.8%, followed by Generations X and Z at 43.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Factors that were significantly related to OTW (P < 0.05) were female gender (OR = 3.764, 95% CI = 2.050–6.910) and high levels of self-experience of bullying (OR = 11.901, 95% CI = 6.541–21.654). In conclusion, high levels of OTW can occur in all generations, but individuals who have had toxic experiences can make the workplace highly toxic, meaning that most people have had negative experiences. Executives should have a vision and policy to reduce OTW, allow everyone to express their opinions at work, accept each other’s opinions, and change from using top-down orders to doing things with participation.