5 Signs of a Toxic Work Environment
Have You Ever Found Yourself Working in a Toxic Workplace?
At some point or another, past or present, you have probably been in a toxic workplace.
There are an overwhelming number of people who stay in toxic work environments for one reason or another.
For myself, it was because I had great relationships with coworkers and we bonded while enduring the BS.
I can remember the feeling of dread getting up in the morning and having to go to work. The company was dysfunctional and the leadership was constantly setting a poor example.
Heck at one point, in the middle of a blizzard, management expected employees to arrive and “save the day.”
Unfortunately, I could go on and on about the toxic work environment at this particular establishment, but I think it’s more important to identify signs of a toxic work environment and the impact a toxic workplace can have on your mental health.
I am an online anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and specialize in working with anxious high achievers in Maryland and North Carolina. I provide anxiety treatment and burnout counseling. In addition, my clients also work to overcome perfection and work through feelings of imposter syndrome.
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Keep reading to learn the signs of a toxic work environment and how it can impact your mental health.
5 Signs of a Toxic Workplace
Sometimes it is really difficult to know exactly what you are walking into when interviewing and being hired for a job. Most times, everyone plays the nice card for a while, but that can only last so long.
Eventually, you start to notice and see things. You can feel the energy has shifted. Remaining in a toxic work environment can increase feelings of anxiety and work burnout. Continuing in a toxic workplace and experiencing burnout can also lead to depression.
Here are some top signs of a toxic workplace:
Sign #1 of a toxic workplace: Frequent Turnover
I understand that long gone are the days when folks would dedicate themselves and stay at jobs for long periods like our parents and grandparents often did.
However, if you start seeing a lot of new faces around the office and a lot of old faces go missing…there’s a problem. It's important to have stability in the workplace and this starts with leadership on down.
Sign #2 of a toxic workplace: Lack of Boundaries
Remember earlier when I said the company expected their employees to drive into work during a blizzard…a lack of respect and boundaries.
Toxic work environments with poor boundaries often don’t respect your time in and out of the office, and will often create unreasonable expectations of their employees.
Sign #3 of a toxic workplace: Consistent Negative Attitude Among Employees
Employees that have a pessimistic attitude toward the workplace can make the time you’re at work so miserable.
Honestly, if most of the employees or your coworkers are feeling this way there’s a reason. It’s not about being Susie Sunshine, chances are they’ve probably bitten by the burnout bug.
Sign #4 of a toxic workplace: Bullying Type Behaviors from Coworkers or Management
This one is probably self-explanatory but bullying can also be covert too.
Bullying doesn’t just look like someone being mean, rude, and outwardly disrespectful. Bullying can look like downplaying situations, guilt trips, gaslighting, and creating fear of retaliation or losing one’s job if one wanted to express themself.
Sign #5 of a toxic workplace: Poor Leadership
Poor leadership comes into play with all the other signs discussed above but it can also look like not being available to employees, unable to give direction, lack of support, and poor communication.
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Working in a toxic workplace can take its toll on you and create a lot of other problems such as burnout and anxiety. It’s important to recognize the signs of a toxic work environment.
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Therapy for Anxious High Achievers in Wilmington, NC
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I work with anxious high achieving women experiencing stress, anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout.
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High achieving and Type A personality folks find that online therapy works for them. Online therapy creates the opportunity for ease and flexibility in attending your therapy appointments. There are a lot of benefits to using online therapy.
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Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/17/23