Do you feel that you may be walking into a toxic work environment daily?
You should never feel like you have to stay in a place where people are not treating you with respect.
Employers have choices when it comes to who they keep as an employee . You have those same choices when it comes to who you keep as an employer.
If you’re asking yourself if you are in a toxic work environment, I would say most likely you are. Trust your instincts.
If you go through this article and you are still questioning if your environment is toxic, believe that it does not matter if it is or isn’t toxic. What matters is the way you feel about going to work every day. It should not be dreaded. It should not have a negative impact on your life.
Stand up for yourself and make a change. If change doesn’t happen, know that you never have to stay anywhere.
You Have Choices
In my career, I’ve heard the term “Employer of Choice” quite often. I’ve passed down my thoughts on this subject numerous times.
Employees have a choice where they work. They can get up and choose not to come to any job for any reason at all.
Employers are challenged to create an environment where people choose them over others. Those employers who are not keeping up with the changing times will not retain happy employees. As employers, we have to be creative and ask for feedback when it comes to creating an environment people will choose to wake up and come to day after day.
I see posts on Facebook often that say employers will replace you in an instant…and that’s true. From a Manager’s perspective, everyone is replaceable. The new replacement may not be as great as the previous employee, but there are always replacements out there. If the new hire doesn’t work out, they’ll move on and hope the next will fit the position better.
Now flip that thought.
Employers are replaceable in an instant. There are endless job opportunities out there. You should be confident and in control of your own situation. You are not tied to these companies or people. If you are a valuable employee that is getting the work done, you often have the upper hand. Do not feel as though employers have control over you. They don’t and they should be well aware.
Am I in a Toxic Work Environment?
There are endless examples of toxic work environments. Because of this, many people have trouble identifying that they are in a toxic environment. These culture that these employees and companies have created are often considered the norm inside of this particular place of employment. It’s difficult to stand up against it or sometimes even realize it is happening around you.
Here are a few examples of what a toxic environment involves:
- Management personnel who does not address concerns
- Management who belittles you or your coworkers
- Public embarrassment
- Harassment by anyone, including mean girls and clients
- Constant negativity
- Aggression
- Bullying
- Yelling
- A general feeling of being unsafe
- Extreme Competitiveness
- Unhealthy gossip that takes over the office
To put it bluntly; any place that you don’t feel comfortable is toxic to your well being.
You should not leave every day stressed about the environment around you at your place of employment. You are most likely taking these negative feelings home with you. It is not only impacting your day to day, but also those family members around you.
Toxic Work Environment Identified – What Now?
If you do enjoy the actual work you are doing, I do suggest going to your Human Resources department and making a complaint.
Try an intervention if you have others that would back your concerns. If they believe you are the only one with these types of concerns, ask that they put out an anonymous suggestion box if they don’t already have one. When you speak to HR or Management, make sure you have examples of situations that you feel are toxic. You are coming from a place of concern. You are trying to make things better not only for yourself, but for those around you that are feeling the same way you are every day.
If change doesn’t happen – it’s time for you to make change before the environment changes you.
Pull out that resume and start making preparations to find something that doesn’t bring you down every day.
I will say that after you have been in a toxic environment, it is easier to spot at other companies.
Make sure you ask about the turnover rate when you apply for new positions. Companies with toxic environments have trouble keeping employees. Study how everyone treats you when you go in for an interview. Are the current employees open to speaking with you, smiling, and seeming to enjoy their roles? A tense environment is easily felt if you are looking for it.
Final Thoughts On Toxic Work Environments
It is not fair that you go home every day with a feeling of helplessness.
Do not accept that this is a situation that you should remain in. Do not let negative attitudes or actions bring you down.
Finally, know that it’s ok to quit a job that is negatively impacting you. You are empowered and in control.
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