A toxic work environment can be defined as any job where the work, the atmosphere, the people, or any combination of those things cause serious disruptions in the rest of your life. The business model may have changed since you were hired, but ultimately inadequate leadership leads to a culture driven consciously or worse, unconsciously by negative behaviors and also reinforced by them to become the norm.
Top 10 Signs
Weak/non-existent leadership
High turnover/absenteeism
Cliques, favoritism, gossip, rumors
DRAMA
Lack of empathy
No transparency/clarity/boundaries
Verbal abuse/bullying
Can’t talk to your boss about your concerns
Teamwork is non-existent
Your gut is telling you something is wrong
People remain in draining, life altering situations for a variety of reasons. Economics may play a large role and the fear of not being able to replace income rapidly. Being “black-listed” in a given industry may be another concern, especially if you live/work in a small community. Simply not having the energy to seek out other employment after battling daily issues is also not uncommon.
Nothing is worth sacrificing your physical and emotional well-being. The stress of managing in a toxic environment affects all parts of our lives and continues well beyond the end of the day. Where there was once relief when leaving work, the intrusive nature of technology beyond the traditional hours may now impact your other time. Pay attention when your friends and family members comment or voice their concerns as well.
Next Steps
Start your exit strategy
Document specific interactions and events
Meet with HR
Schedule stress relief activities after work
Begin the job search
However comfortable you assumed you were with a job change, it may morph into overwhelming anxiety that was never anticipated. This makes it the ideal time to engage the support of a career coach with experience in helping professionals achieve better, faster, results. At KICKSTART Your Transition we can help as we offer a broad range of services to fit your needs
©MWeisner2020
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