Signs You’re in a Toxic Work Environment and How to Handle it

Many people work jobs they hate for lack of better options. We all have the occasional bad Mondays, challenging weeks and disappointing quarters (which we barely survive but come out having learnt valuable lessons).

Many jobs are stressful but not necessarily toxic. But when work related stress begins to negatively impact on your life then it’s time you paid attention.

If your work environment breeds competition and strife day in and day out, saps your energy and leaves you feeling unmotivated to the point where your self-esteem, family, relationships and even spirituality begin to suffer, then it’s toxic.

A toxic work environment can lead to burnout, physical symptoms, anxiety and depression.

Here are some of the signs.

Employee sickness

Toxic work environments cause on going continuous stress that wears out the immune system leading to ill health.

So if many people are calling in sick at your workplace or worse still working while ill, then the chances are high that the environment is toxic.

Cliques, Gossiping and Rumors

Nothing brings division and discontentment in the workplace quite like the presence of cliques, gossiping and tale bearing.

A clique is a group of people that stick together, grab each other lunch or coffee and generally have each other’s backs to the exclusion of others.

Where there are cliques, important projects and promotions are given to staff because they belong to a particular clique regardless of their qualifications. Merit is ignored and gossiping, back biting and rumors are the order of the day. You feel excluded, like you have to continually be on your guard and watch your back.

Stifled Growth

Jobs are hard to come by these days but sometimes walking away from a job where you feel smothered and restrained is the first step to following your passion and achieving your dreams.

A work environment might be personally toxic to you if you feel undervalued, unable to grow or stagnated.

Poor Communication

A work place where people feel unheard or that their opinions do not count is toxic.

Changes are made in the department you head and you have no idea. You work hard without positive feedback but the slightest mistake is blown out of proportion and noted in your file.

High Turnover

A high rate of staff turnover is a strong indicator of workplace toxicity. An environment where staff don’t last long or are laid off fuels insecurity and fear amongst those that remain and is in itself a source of stress.

                              How to Survive in a Toxic Work Environment

Typically toxic work environments are the result of systemic failures and dysfunctions that are not easily fixed.

The best escape would be to simply walk away. But that’s not always easy.

Here’s how to cope while you look for a better job.

Compartmentalize your life – develop the underdeveloped compartments

When stress from a toxic work place erodes into other aspects of your life fight back by compartmentalizing your life. Leave work at work. Learn to separate the different roles you play. You may be a manager, a clerk or a business executive at work but at home you become a father, a husband, a brother, a roommate or a friend. Develop your other roles to achieve a work- life balance. This helps relieve stress.

Refuse to be one of those people who don’t have a life outside of work. Who you are in the work place is just one facet of you. So develop other interests, discover new hobbies. Create the time to do fun things with people you love.  

Act according to your values

The danger of working in a toxic environment is that it sucks the energy, drive and enthusiasm out of you. It typically de-motivates – that’s if you let it. Go back to your roots and ask yourself what values you live by, what things really matter to you.

Live by integrity, honesty and excellence for example if you value these virtues, regardless of what you see around you. Be at the top of your game at all times and refuse to let the quality of your work slide. You never know which potential employer might be watching.

Staying true to yourself also serves as a compass that keeps you on track despite the poisonous environment around you. It brings peace of mind.

Keep your goals in mind

A clear vision motivates even in a toxic environment. Clearly stated personal work related goals will show you the direction you need to be going.

You might need to upgrade your skills or get additional ones to meet your outlined work related goals. This focus drives passion and passion inevitably leads to success.

Document everything you do

When your work environment is unfriendly, one way to watch your back is by documenting everything you do. Save emails and write down comments and decisions from official meetings.

If you need to file a complaint or defend yourself from one, you’ll need the evidence to back your claim.

Take care of your Body, Soul and Spirit

Don’t sabotage yourself by neglecting your physical, spiritual and emotional well being. You need to have these in your corner at all times.

Exercise regularly, eat healthy, and make time for the important things in life that cannot be bought with money; God, family, friends and relationships.

You are worth more than the money you make.

Plan your exit strategy

Resist the urge to leave on a whim or a fit of anger or frustration.

Never act based solely on your emotions without a solid plan backing it up. You might end up jumping from frying pan to fire.

Consult widely, do your research then act systematically and rationally. Perhaps it’s time you started your own business.

Leaving a toxic job behind frees you to pursue the one around the corner.

 

It would be awesome to hear from you! Please leave a comment.

Questions? Feel free to Ask the Therapist.

Warm regards,

 

262 thoughts on “Signs You’re in a Toxic Work Environment and How to Handle it”

  1. Avatar
    Uchenna Nwosu

    Wonderful read yet again. I daresay that I feel tired just thinking of going in to the office everyday. When you work in a place that rewards who you know not what you know methinks it’s time to call it quits. But hey, till you get a new job or that flash of inspiration (and funds) to set up your own thing…Wetin man go do. Great read once again doc. Keep em coming!

    1. Chika Anireto
      Chika Anireto

      Thanks dear Uche! Great to see that you found time to read. About toxic work environments, I think sometimes they also
      help us grow and mature by being in them! should have included that in the article sef

  2. Avatar

    Wow
    This is amazing Ma, and I think it’s something we’ve all been through at a particular stage of our lives, more people need to read this so as to have courage to move on and learn not to act Irratiionally if at all they find themselves in a Toxic Work Environment.
    Thanks ma.

  3. Chika Anireto

    Absolutely. Thank you for your comments. Please feel free to share. A lot of people are simply looking for a shoulder to lean on and an open ear. God bless you!

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