10 Traits of a Toxic Workplace

10 Traits of a Toxic Workplace 

1. Micromanaging
2. Lack of Psychological Safety / a Culture of Silence
3. High Turnover 
4. No Acknowledgment of Employees 
5. Policies are changed constantly to suit leadership only or support the toxic work culture
6. No worklife balance 
7. Feedback is not collected or worked on
8. No career growth 
9. Gossips
10. Employees are undervalued and their thoughts are not appreciated

 

What to do when you find yourself in a toxic workplace

Fight

 

You can decide to fight the system by standing up against the perpetrators. 

This usually from experience and from stories that people have shared, does not always end well. You cannot fight the system unless the system is ready to change. 

Usually, the perpetrators are in bed with the HR or have been there for a while and so they always win. But you can try to find with evidence.

 

If you decide to fight, documentation and paper trail will be vital. Document every little thing and keep a paper trail.

When things are said verbally, write an email back to them documenting what was send. Always copy yourself in these emails so you have a copy.

 

Flight

 

Leave immediately! For your sanity and mental health, I advise that you live immediately and not look back. 

Some toxic work environment will take forever to be dismantled or may never be dismantled. You are better of leaving to save you from the stress and illness (paranoia, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia etc) that comes with a toxic work environment.

 

If you can afford to take care of yourself for 6 months whiles you look for another job, leave and then look for a better opportunity.

 

Plan

But I have heard people ask, 

“Where will I go to if I leave?”  

“How will I fend for myself”

“Is not that easy" 

"I don't have 6 months worth of house expenses saved"   

I understand! It’s not that easy. So, plan and then leave. 

Update your resume and start looking for other jobs. It may take a while but you will find another opportunity.

Endure

Some people endure it. I don’t recommend this. I have seen people endure and become used to it. 

I have heard people say

“There are no jobs out there” – That is a lie. Organizations are hiring every day and people are receiving offers everyday.

“Who will hire me?” – Put value on yourself. Someone is looking for YOU! You will never know because you have already defeated yourself.

“I have some tips that will help me endure” – say that again. Now slower, good! Will you want a person you love so much endure what you are enduring? If not, then don’t endure! or don't you love yourself? 

Well I have a blog post about how to love yourself, please read it HERE!

I hope this helps you to know what do if you find yourself in such a situation.

I had to google the issues I was experiencing when I worked in a toxic environment. Please share any thoughts you about this piece in the comment. I look forward to reading from you.

And until next time, know that 

You are enough, you are worthy!

Learn to Live life in the present 

And know that nothing last forever so everything will be fine! 

Take care of YOU, YOU are all you've got!