Staff at Malmö Museum are raising alarms about top-down management, a culture of silence, and a poor work environment, as the institution grapples with internal turmoil. The museum, a major cultural attraction, is shaken by this rebellion, with an internal survey depicting the work environment as the worst many employees have experienced, characterized by prolonged reorganization chaos, unclear roles, and authoritarian leadership. This crisis has led to significant health impacts among the workforce.
Several long-term sick leaves are linked directly to job conditions, and staff members testify about widespread fear and a pervasive culture of silence that discourages open discussion. According to Aftonbladet, an employee described the atmosphere as one where people are incredibly scared, highlighting the emotional toll on the team. The museum's leadership is undergoing a transition amid this criticism.
People are incredibly scared.
Museum director Biljana Topalova-Casadiego is leaving in the autumn for a new position in Oslo, though the exact departure date and details of her role there remain unspecified. In response to the ongoing issues, she has characterized her tenure as a period of necessary change and development, emphasizing her perspective on the museum's evolution. In a statement to Sydsvenskan, she acknowledged that the criticism must be taken seriously but noted that the evaluation is only a first step, suggesting further actions may follow.
The financial context of Malmö City adds another layer to the situation. Since 2020, the city has spent over 1 million kronor on external consultants, though the identities, roles, and specific tasks of these consultants have not been disclosed. It is unclear what specific actions Malmö Museum or Malmö City will take to address the poor work environment and culture of silence, and whether the internal rebellion has led to any formal complaints or investigations by authorities.
The exact number of staff members affected by long-term sick leaves linked to the job also remains unknown, leaving the full scope of the health impacts uncertain.