Former HR Director Exposes Toxic Leadership, Retaliation & Workplace Abuse

After 26 years working in Human Resources, Elizabeth Arnott knows how workplaces are supposed to function—and what happens when leadership fails. In this episode of They Tried It, Elizabeth joins host Lindiwe Davis to discuss toxic workplace culture, retaliation, workplace abuse, and the difficult reality that HR departments often cannot protect employees from leaders who misuse their power. Elizabeth shares her own experience working under a toxic executive, documenting workplace harm, experiencing retaliation, and ultimately leaving her position after recognizing the impact the environment was having on her health. Topics discussed include: ✔ Toxic workplace culture ✔ Workplace retaliation ✔ Bad bosses and abusive leadership ✔ HR ethics and accountability ✔ Psychological safety ✔ Emotional intelligence at work ✔ Workplace trauma and nervous system regulation ✔ Leadership failures ✔ Burnout and recovery ✔ Speaking up in the workplace Elizabeth also discusses the importance of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and nervous system regulation when navigating difficult work environments. If you've ever wondered: Is it me, or is my workplace toxic? Why doesn't HR help employees? What should I do if my boss is creating a hostile work environment? How do I recover from workplace trauma? This conversation is for you. Connect with Elizabeth Arnott: 🌐 https://unmanagedpeople.com 📧 [email protected] ✍️ Substack: Unmanaged Connect with Lindiwe Davis: 🌐 https://lindiwedavis.com 📱 Instagram: @lindiwe_speaks & @theytrieditshow 💼 LinkedIn: Lindiwe Davis Subscribe for more conversations about adversity, courage, leadership, workplace challenges, and the stories that remind us we are never navigating these experiences alone. #ToxicWorkplace #WorkplaceAbuse #ToxicBoss #HR #Leadership #WorkplaceTrauma #Retaliation #Burnout #EmotionalIntelligence #PsychologicalSafety