Workplace toxicity can imply many different things to different people, much like the elusive chameleon of the working world. And let's face it, the line between what is toxic and what isn't has become a little hazy in the current age of pre- and post-COVID work environments. In this piece, I'll do my best to attempt and decode this elusive idea.
I don't want to boast, but I have experienced my fair share of toxic job encounters. And if there's one thing I've discovered, it's that toxicity can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from the overtly negative (like abuse and discrimination) to the subtler (like micromanagement or passive-aggressive behavior).
However, let's just state that for the purposes of this article, workplace toxicity is defined as any behavior or action that results in a work environment that is emotionally or psychologically harmful to employees.
So, why is it crucial to identify workplace toxicity then? To begin with, it may negatively affect your emotional health and general well-being. Burnout, lower work satisfaction, and even physical health issues can result from high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Not to mention the effect on the entire workplace, as toxic environments can cause lower output, higher absenteeism, and higher turnover rates.
Fear not, however, for the first step in creating a work environment that is secure, healthy, and, dare I say it, enjoyable is identifying workplace toxicity. So, strap in, and let's get started!
Identifying symptoms of toxic workplaces
There are many different signs and symptoms of toxic environments, both overt and covert. The following are a few that, in my opinion, has been the most prevalent:
- High levels of stress: I can attest personally to how overwhelming and draining high levels of workplace stress can be. And mind you, multitasking is not equivalent to stress. There are tons of healthy ways to multitask at work, which do not disrupt your night’s sleep or keep you stressed constantly even outside of work.
- Low morale: I experienced a loss of enthusiasm and motivation when I worked in a toxic workplace. Finding enjoyment in my work was challenging, which reduced my output and total job satisfaction. This ultimately provoked me to quit or if I’m being brutally honest, just abscond.
- High employee churn: I've seen coworkers quit their jobs because they felt unappreciated and unsupported. And if your employees continue leaving left and right, there’s something seriously wrong with your workplace culture, and not because they were ‘weak’ or ‘couldn’t handle the pressure’ or ‘didn’t want to win’. These are all excuses bosses give when unhappy employees quit en masse.
- Micromanagement: Feeling like you’re never good enough at your job and the need to constantly prove your worth are both effects of micromanagement. It's critical for managers to have faith in their teammates and to offer direction without micromanaging. There’s a really thick evident line between being supportive and being a micro-manager, it’s really hard to miss. If your manager still can’t see it, the problem is with them, not you.
- Gossip and negative talk: When these types of conversations are commonplace at work, they can breed distrust and pessimism. Nobody likes to be talked about behind their backs, especially in the workplace where there are more pressing issues at hand. But when people are looped into such drama, they end up spending more time navigating through this than working. This has a direct effect on the company’s goals not being met in time, leading to lost time, money, and more.
- Discrimination and harassment: As someone who has dealt with these issues at work, I am well aware of the harm they can cause to one’s mental health and general well-being. What makes it even worse is that often times the people who choose to stand up and speak against such atrocities are silenced, forced to quit, “not create a scene at work”, or provided no help at all. I’ve been one of these people and needless to say I didn’t do my best work in such environments.
- Lack of support: Humans are but species who want to belong. At home, in schools, at workplaces, and amongst friends. It's no rocket science that it provides them with psychological safety. But when this safety net is not extended or worse pulled from beneath them, they feel extremely vulnerable. When I didn't feel supported by my colleagues or management, I felt isolated and undervalued. This feeling highly impacted my self-confidence, self-worth, and overall how I felt about myself.
In order to create a work atmosphere that fosters respect, support, and inclusion, it is essential to recognize these signs and symptoms of toxic workplaces.
Key indicators of toxic workplaces
Some important signs for me have always included the following, among other things:
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Workplace bullying, abuse, or discrimination:
I am aware of the harm that abuse and prejudice in the workplace can cause to a person's mental health and general well-being, as I’ve experienced it firsthand. Bullying can take many different forms, such as physical or vocal abuse, coercion, and exclusion from important responsibilities or meetings. Similarly, abuse and prejudice can produce a dangerous or undervalued work atmosphere. I once witnessed a manager bully a coworker for coming out as homosexual; he was continually undermined, and threatened with being "outed". This caused the coworker to experience a complete emotional breakdown, which ultimately caused them to resign from their position and seek counseling.
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Negative strife, hearsay, or workplace gossip:
I've seen how strife and unfavorable workplace rumors can lead to a tense and unpleasant work atmosphere. Rumors and gossip can spread rapidly and harm relationships among coworkers. Unresolved disputes can also breed resentment and harm collaboration. When I was a team member, there was once an ongoing dispute between two coworkers. The two made it a point to split the squad and eventually take sides as they battled to the death. The team found it challenging to cooperate effectively or at all as a result of the stress and awkwardness that came from this.
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Micromanagement or a dearth of autonomy
The majority of my managers have typically been very trusting of my work and me. Can I, however, say all of them? Absolutely not. I've experienced extreme micromanagement on several occasions. It can make you feel as though your efforts are never sufficient or trap you in a cycle of impostor syndrome. You might start to doubt everything you've fought so hard for and come to the conclusion that you've failed terribly as a result. Micromanagers frequently provide excessive supervision and input, which can lead to a tense and stressful environment. On the other hand, a dearth of liberty can make you feel powerless and underappreciated.
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Unattainable deadlines and expectations:
I understand how unrealistic standards can lead to tension and anxiety because I have personally dealt with them. It can be challenging to meet expectations and keep a good work-life balance when targets are set too high or deadlines are too short. Burnout and a feeling of loss may result from this. More specifically, failure to establish goals, assess available resources, or set targets that are realistically achievable frequently results in team members quitting.
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Lack of communication and feedback:
Once, a manager I worked with had absolutely no experience in people management. For the lack of better words, they absolutely sucked at giving (and even taking) feedback. I would never know, not even remotely if my work had knocked it out of the park or was down in the dump. After several subtle remarks on this, I had a full-blown confrontation, needless to say, which didn’t go really well. Why? Because they just weren’t ready to accept they could have been at fault. I was expected to be “self-motivated”, “ a hustler”, and a “know-it-all”. Needless to say, I quit pretty soon after that.
It's crucial for employees to feel appreciated and acknowledged. Understanding goals and making changes can be challenging when there is poor communication or no feedback at all. Confusion and resentment can arise from this.
Impact of toxicity in the workplace
a.) The effect on employee well-being and mental health
The mental and emotional health of an employee can be significantly and permanently impacted by workplace toxicity. An employee may experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder when they labor in a toxic workplace.
For instance, I once worked in a toxic workplace where my manager frequently disparaged me in front of my coworkers and was extremely critical of my work. Because of this, I continually felt as though I was treading water, and I was fearful of making mistakes. My mental health started to deteriorate to the point where I loathed going to work every day. I began having panic episodes, consequently, I had to start seeing a therapist.
Employees who have personally encountered stress may be more severely affected by workplace toxicity's effects on their mental health. For instance, an acquaintance of mine who had once been in an abusive relationship worked in an environment where their boss verbally and emotionally abused them. They had to take a leave of absence from work to seek therapy for their PTSD because the continuous gaslighting and mocking caused a relapse.
It's essential to remember that workplace toxicity can have consequences outside of the actual workplace. An employee's relationships and general quality of life may suffer if they are under tension and worry at work and it spills over into their personal lives. In my situation, I noticed that I was growing more distant and secluded as a result of my mental health issues.
The protection of workers' mental health and well-being depends on identifying the symptoms of workplace toxins and taking action to resolve them. This can entail contacting mental health experts for assistance, discussing the situation with HR, or even looking for a new position with a better working environment. No employee should be forced to compromise their emotional health and well-being in order to keep their employment.
b.) Decrease in job satisfaction and motivation
The drive and job happiness of an employee can be significantly impacted by toxic environments. Even if you previously liked your job, it's simple to feel demotivated and unhappy with it when you're subjected to a hostile work atmosphere on a regular basis.
Having worked in a toxic environment, I can attest to this personally. Even though I was a top performer who thrived under duress rather than collapsing, my manager was unsupportive and harshly critical of even the smallest errors. As a result, my workplace became uncomfortable and stressful, and I started to despise coming to work every day. I tried my hardest to remain motivated and productive, but it was impossible.
My drive and work happiness gradually declined as a result of how undervalued and unappreciated I started to feel over time. I struggled to find meaning and purpose in my job, and as a result, I felt unmotivated and dissatisfied. Even though I didn't have a position lined up at the time, I ultimately decided to make the difficult choice to quit my job.
I can now clearly see how my experience had a negative effect on both my mental health and general well-being. I needed several months to heal emotionally after working in such a toxic atmosphere. Although it was a difficult choice, leaving the company was eventually what was best for my long-term career prospects and emotional well-being.
So, how do you survive a toxic work environment?
I've been working in a corporate setting for almost 8 years, so it goes without saying that I've learned a few things about enduring (and frequently fleeing) the toxic workplace environment.
There are actually a number of measures you can take to spot a toxic workplace environment and safeguard yourself from it:
Identify the signs: Understand the signs and symptoms of a toxic workplace environment, such as bullying, harassment, prejudice, pessimism, and unreasonable expectations. Be conscious of any shifts in your mental and emotional state and how they might be influenced by your workplace.
Seek assistance: Discuss your worries with coworkers you trust, friends, or family members. For assistance and counsel, think about contacting an employee assistance program (EAP), a mental health expert, or a support group.
Establish boundaries: Clearly define your own mental and physical boundaries. For instance, if unfavorable office rumors are harming the way you feel, stay away from the discussions and change the subject to something more uplifting.
Speak up: If it's secure and acceptable for you to do so, think about discussing your worries with your manager or an HR rep. If you can, give instances of the actions or circumstances that are upsetting you. Be precise.
Look after yourself: Make self-care a priority by partaking in activities that enhance your mental and emotional health, such as physical activity, meditation, or quality time with loved ones. Even in the midst of a toxic workplace atmosphere, never forget how important it is to take care of yourself.
Quit: If it appears that no amount of damage control will be able to improve the situation, resign and depart. No position, title, or salary is worth your happiness and emotional health. Life is far too short to be trapped in a job that drains all of your energy just because it gives you a false sense of temporary stability.
In the end, it's critical to put your mental and emotional health first and take precautions against a harmful work environment. You can lessen the effects of a toxic work atmosphere and preserve your health and well-being by recognizing the symptoms, getting help, establishing boundaries, speaking up, and taking care of yourself.