Do you know how to spot the signs of a toxic work environment?
A toxic work environment is one of the biggest drivers for a career change. Knowing the signs can save you time, energy, and your sanity! A Gallup research poll of 1m American employees found that 75% of the workers who voluntarily left their jobs did so because of their bosses and not the position itself. Work culture has had a lot of attention in the last decade, however toxic work environments and poor management are still prevalent. It’s in the small things, in nuanced behavior, and it isn’t always obvious!
Work culture has had a lot of attention in the last decade, but toxic work environments alongside poor management are still prevalent. It’s in the small things, in nuanced behavior, and it isn’t always obvious!
Working in these conditions can be devastating to both your mental and physical health. Don’t underestimate the influence it can have. I work with many people who are still overcoming the impact years later. If you consider the length of exposure to a toxic work environment, how could these effects just disappear overnight? Low confidence and self-doubt caused by a harmful professional experience can be long-lasting.
[If you want help with leaving a toxic work environment, or building better boundaries, click here].
Spotting the signs of a toxic work environment are IMPERATIVE for you to either manage them or recognise your time to leave. We talk about red flags in relationships all the time, but we never talk about red flags at work.
Here are some of the biggest signs of a toxic work environment!
You’re not valued
Are you being put down, or is someone not valuing your input? Do people let you have your say and then do nothing about it, or go and do what they want to, anyway?
This can look like token meetings where people allow you to share your thoughts, but never act on them. It may feel as if they are just ticking the box to let you speak. Additionally, I have had work re-written by managers so many times that they are re-writing their own work. Not only is this also a sign of micro-management, but if you don’t feel like you’re trusted to do your job properly, how are you supposed to feel self-assured, confident or trust your own judgment?
This is a clear marker of a toxic work environment and should make you think about whether it is time to leave.
You’re chronically stressed out & burnout is real
Having peaks and troughs at work is one thing, being chronically stressed and on high alert is another. Stress is linked to so many negative consequences, like heart disease, fatigue, sleep issues, weight gain, high blood pressure, and a weaker immune system! A job isn’t worth your health.
Burnout is often thought of as exhaustion or illness but you may experience burnout as complete apathy and a deep numbness towards your work, even the things you maybe once enjoyed. This makes it incredibly difficult to motivate yourself to work hard or do anything productive at work. You may be surprised at how long you can spend in this space!
Token sayings and work coming before the people.
I was once told to finish early, as I wasn’t very well, and my manager said to me, ‘so if you just do X Y Z, then you can finish’. Now this was meant well, but X Y and Z took me all day. Your managers and senior leadership team might say to you, ‘take the time you need, but just do this, this, this, and this first.’ That is still work being prioritised over your health.
Passive Aggressive behaviour
”Formal” emails that make you second guess yourself, or comments that belittle you in front of colleagues. This is never ok at work. Your colleagues/managers should be communicating with you and never putting you down. This has one of the BIGGEST effects on confidence and it can also lead you to question yourself and your ability, which can bleed into your personal life. If you experience this, it’s time to change jobs.
DID YOU KNOW…
WORK CAN BE ENJOYABLE!
Like REALLY enjoyable!
If you know that you are in a toxic environment, and want to leave.
If you want to find a job that makes you happy, and fulfilled and gives you purpose, read how to join my Change Career with Clarity & Courage programme.
To download your free guide in how to start thinking about changing career with clarity & confidence, this is for you. download your free guide here.
Sarah is a Career Change Coach. She helps women breakthrough and pivot in their career. Whether you're not networking, developing your own work or side hustle! Stop feeling like you don’t know where to start and reach out!
Sarah has a Masters in Psychology and is both accredited by and a member of the British Psychological Society. She has experience working with the military and corporate sector in recovery, transition, leadership, and mentoring.