Recognizing (And Escaping) A Toxic Workplace

Recognizing that you are employed in a toxic work environment can be extremely difficult. Especially if you have been there for years - often you are so embedded in the work culture that any workplace abuse or toxicity seem normalized. Even if you don't recognize the signs consciously, you will often leave a toxic workplace feeling drained, exhausted, or even outright angry while being unable to pin down the reasons why. Luckily, there are signs to look for, and there are others who can help!

First, the good news: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! People all over the world are also experiencing toxic work environments, and talking about them is becoming more and more normalized. This is a huge benefit to everyone - the more we talk about it, the more accountability we can enforce and the less isolated we will all feel. These are hugely important to changing workplace cultures. Still with me? Good! Let's dive in.

Part One: Recognition!

It can be very difficult to recognize you are in a toxi environment. The more often you see or experience a behavior, the more normal it begins to seem. This is true for all forms of abuse - it's how humans become habituated to unhealthy, abusive relationships and environments. We eventually tell ourselves that "this is just how it is" and we become inured to the situation. The good news is that there are always signs and red flags that can grab your attention and puncture the illusion. Let's go over a few, shall we?

1. Credit: More often than not in a toxic environment, someone will take credit for work that you did. This can be as subtle as inferring that they were involved in the work when they actually weren't or suggesting that they were lead and you helped, or it can be as blatant as openly claiming all credit no matter the situation.
2. Workload: "**** trickles down" is a common saying. This is especially true in a toxic workplace. More often than not, your workload will be exponentially higher than your supervisor, his supervisor, etcetera all the way up the chain. While this is often true f any workplace, it will be especially noticeable in a toxic environment. If you find that you are often doing the job of your boss - this is a major red flag. Putting in extra work is okay form time to time, but not when it becomes expected and habitual. You are there to do your job - not everyone's job.
3. Hours: In any job, you can occasionally expect overtime hours or long work days from time to time. In a toxic workplace, this will be the normal expectation. If you find that you are putting in long workdays or even work weeks more often than not, this is a huge red flag for a toxic environment. Often you can set clear boundaries for your work hours - if those boundaries are then breached regularly, you may be in a toxic environment. If you find yourself regularly working late or being asked to come into work early, these are often warning signs of a toxic workplace.
4. Attitude: This is a biggie. In a healthy work environment, your coworkers and supervisors will be helpful, communicative, encouraging, supportive, and understanding. While there are always lapses (everyone has bad days), the majority of the time you should feel safe and comfortable around those you work with. In a toxic environment, you will more often than not run into snarky attitudes, passive aggressive behavior, very poor communication, and even open hostility. If you find you are often being chewed out or reprimanded for the smallest mistakes, this is a big red flag. In a toxic environment, the people around you will try to break you down and make you feel small in order to keep you from fighting back.
5. Fear: Finally, we'll end this section with a fear of going to work. A normal level of anxiety surrounding work is acceptable. We all experience it, and it rises and falls regularly from day to day based on what's going on around you. However, if you find that you are afraid to go to work nearly every day, or if the thought of seeing your boss causes a panic attack, then it's time to take notice. These are huge red flags of a toxic environment. You are entitled to a safe, comfortable work environment. If you do not feel that way at work, then it may be time to start looking at other options.

Part Two: Escape!

Now that we've recognized some of the signs of a toxic workplace, what's our next step? How do we get out? Escaping can often be very difficult for a multitude of reasons. We all have bills to pay, mouths to feed, families to support, and lives to lead. All of these things require us to have a source of income, and leaving that source of income can be scarier than trying to survive the hostility of the workplace. But at the end of the day, you will always be safer and happier finding another job - even if it can seem like the hardest thing in the world to do in the moment. So what are some steps to take to get out in one piece?

1. Apply, apply, apply: Your first step is to start looking at jobs and filing applications immediately. Don't wait until you've gotten out of your current environment - get started right away so you start opening doors and have options.
2. Support: Talk to someone. Friends, family, a therapist. We all have someone who will listen and can often have ideas we would never think of. Talking through the problems and getting a perspective different from your own can be invaluable to you. Don't be afraid to speak up - you are the victim in a toxic work environment, and you do not have to be alone.
3. Identify: Your situation is unique. No one source will tell you what to do with a toxic worplace. Your situation will be unique to you and your work environment. Can you identify where the toxicity is coming from? Is it co-workers, management, or even corporate? It can often help to try to identify that source and then talk to the office team about it. Maybe it's something that can be resolved internally, and you don't have to leave. These are important questions to ask.
4. HR: This one is a mixed bag. HR is not there to protect the employees, but to protect the company. But it can still be useful to report the situation to HR so that they are aware of it. From time to time, protecting the company and the employees can line up and go hand in hand. It is also good to have a report of a complaint on file in official capacity.
5. Document everything: Document everything that you do. Especially if others are taking credit for your work - make sure you are documenting the work that you do so you get your due credit. document all reports to HR or to any other department. Always keep full records - they can go a very long way towards keeping you safe.
6. Depart: Finally, if it comes down to it, quit. Politely and professionally put in your two weeks notice, and depart the company. Your mental health and wellbeing must come first, and if it has come to this, then it's time to get out. Toxic work environments can lead to severe mental health degradation including anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout. At a certain point, it's time to put your safety first. Before you leave, make sure to double check your employment contract and company handbook to check any fulfillment conditions required so you aren't penalized in any surprising ways.

Summary

Toxic workplaces can be very hard on you. They lead to mental health problems, physical symptoms, problems at home, and a general feeling of unease and unhappiness. They will affect your stress and motivation levels, and invade every aspect of your life. To combat this, make sure you are seeking help and support outside of the work environment. Talk to friends and family, seek support groups, and take care of yourself. There is a way out - I promise. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or major depression, please talk to your friends and family, or dial 988 to speak to professionals at the suicide hotline. Someone is always willing to listen.