https://journal.diginus.id/JEEMBA <p><strong>JEEMBA (Journal of Economics, Entrepreneurship, Management Business and Accounting)</strong> is published by Sakura Publisher periodically (every four months), namely every January, May and September, with the aim of disseminating the results of research, assessment, and development in the fields of economics, entrepreneurship, business management and accounting, especially in the fields of accounting, management, capital markets, business law, taxation, information systems, and other economic and financial fields. Articles published in JEEMBA can be in the form of Research Articles and Conceptual Articles (non-research). JEEMBA has an ISSN number <strong>e-ISSN 2975-3168</strong> and <strong>p-ISSN 2985-3222</strong>.</p> CV. Sakura Digital Nusantara en-US Journal of Economics, Entrepreneurship, Management Business and Accounting 2985-3222 https://journal.diginus.id/JEEMBA/article/view/823 <p>The creative industry is widely celebrated as a space of innovation and passion, yet beneath its promise of artistic freedom lies a persistent issue of toxic workplace environments. This study explores the emotional dynamics of employees working in such climates, drawing on a narrative inquiry approach to capture lived experiences. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 creative professionals across advertising, digital media, and film production, and analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. Findings reveal four dominant themes: (1) emotional dissonance and identity strain, as employees were compelled to suppress authentic feelings to align with organizational expectations; (2) burnout and emotional exhaustion, marked by chronic overload and diminishing creativity; (3) silenced voices and erosion of trust, where psychological safety collapsed and collaborative innovation was hindered; and (4) coping strategies and narrative resilience, in which employees relied on storytelling, peer solidarity, and reframing techniques to preserve identity and meaning. The study contributes to organizational scholarship by situating emotional labor, burnout, and psychological safety within the creative sector, where the intertwining of professional identity and creative output amplifies vulnerability to toxic climates. Methodologically, it demonstrates the value of narrative inquiry in revealing hidden complexities of workplace emotions and resilience strategies. Practically, the findings call for systemic interventions that move beyond individual coping mechanisms. Leadership practices that foster trust, recognition, and psychological safety are essential not only for employee well-being but also for sustaining creativity and innovation in the creative industry.</p> Nurjaya Raeni Dwi Santy Ardhi Goeliling Fatmawati A Rahman Copyright (c) 2026 Nurjaya, Raeni Dwi Santy, Ardhi Goeliling, Fatmawati A Rahman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 2026-03-09 2026-03-09 4 1 10.61255/jeemba.v4i1.823