On average, we spend 40 hours of every week working. And no matter where we work or what we do, it\u2019s essential that we enjoy our jobs, coworkers, and the company\u2019s culture. Or, at the very least, it doesn\u2019t stress us out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, though, toxic workplaces are all too common. It\u2019s estimated<\/a> that nearly one out of five employees quits their job due to workplace culture, with almost one out of four saying they dreaded going into work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes it\u2019s obvious that you\u2019re in a toxic workplace, but that\u2019s not always the case. Here are the signs that your workplace is toxic and how to manage the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A toxic workplace is often characterized as dysfunctional<\/strong>. There tends to be a lot of drama and stress, and they are generally unpleasant places to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But a toxic workplace is not the same as a hostile workplace. Though similar, in a hostile workplace<\/a>, protected groups<\/a> (like sex, race, or religion) are targeted and harassed. The boss calling everyone incompetent is toxic, but that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re in a hostile workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working in a toxic culture makes it difficult for you to perform to the best of your ability. Even in a fully remote setting, toxic behaviors can seep in and poison the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though there are many reasons why a workplace is toxic, here are 10 signs to watch out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Written or verbal, communication is a crucial part of a functioning workplace. Though some people excel at one form of communication over the other (and some have trouble<\/a> with both), poor overall communication within the company often indicates it\u2019s toxic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obvious signs include the boss preferring to yell at staff or sending demeaning emails (“Why didn\u2019t you get this done?! Can you even do this job?”). However, poor communication in a toxic workplace can also be subtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the company changes strategies or policies but neglects to tell staff until after the changes are in effect. If this type of miscommunication happens occasionally, it\u2019s likely not a problem. But if this is the \u201cnormal\u201d way of communicating with staff, it means you\u2019re likely in a toxic workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toxic workplaces often have cliques that consist of people who are \u201cin\u201d with the boss and those who are not<\/strong>. Those who are in with the boss may be treated better than those who are out because the in-crowd may excuse or accept the overall toxic culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Likewise, because a toxic workplace often includes poor communication, many people may gossip. This is done, in part, to share information (which may or may not be accurate) but can also be used to undermine others (yet another sign of a toxic workplace).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if your company doesn\u2019t have cliques and in-crowds, there are other ways a toxic workplace can exclude staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if everyone but you is recognized for their contributions to a project, it might be a simple mistake. But if it happens often, you\u2019re likely being intentionally excluded. Or, you may not be told about meetings that you need to be in on until after they\u2019ve started or even ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working in a toxic environment can sap your physical and emotional energy<\/strong>. When that happens, you may lose your motivation and start to disengage from your job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, being unmotivated at work is specific to you and your situation. However, when all of your coworkers and even your boss are unmotivated, it\u2019s far more likely your workplace is toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though your company may focus on one core concept or have a specific mission, it should always be growing and innovating within those. If nothing else, market conditions can change rapidly (hello, pandemic!), and your company should be able to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toxic workplaces, though, don\u2019t grow or innovate. They stay the course even when they shouldn\u2019t and haven\u2019t taken on any new challenges in a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to recognize, though, that growth doesn\u2019t mean always hiring or launching new products every week. Healthy companies are often fully staffed with little turnover<\/strong>. A company that constantly launches new products that fail or chases market trends is likely facing an uncertain future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High turnover is often a sign of a toxic work culture. Whether people leave voluntarily or involuntarily, stable companies generally don\u2019t need to hire for multiple positions every single week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not true for all companies, though. Large companies may always have open positions, and seasonal employers<\/a> will go on predictable hiring sprees. But if you\u2019re in a smaller company or there are suddenly a lot of exits, take note and monitor what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When work is all you do because it\u2019s expected or even demanded of you, you\u2019re probably in a toxic workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working extra hours sometimes, though, is not the same as being in a toxic workplace. Occasionally, you may need to work overtime to get a big project done, but the key word is \u201coccasionally.\u201d If \u201coccasionally\u201d turns into \u201cevery week for 52 weeks,\u201d then there\u2019s a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you interviewed, you were told that the company gave merit raises<\/a> every year, but it\u2019s been three years, and no one in the entire company has received one. What\u2019s more, HR has never explained the reason why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or, maybe your company switched to remote work during the pandemic and said that you could continue working at home for part of the week. But it turns out that \u201cpart\u201d means four days a week in the office, and the one day you\u2019re at home, there\u2019s a mandatory in-person meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though a verbal agreement doesn\u2019t always constitute a contract, when your company says one thing but does another and doesn\u2019t even try to explain the reasoning, you\u2019re probably in a toxic workplace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your coworkers are getting promoted, learning new skills, and tapped for plum projects. You, on the other hand, are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There could be legitimate reasons why your coworkers are moving ahead instead of you. But if you\u2019ve talked to your boss about taking on new projects or specifically asked what you can do to move ahead and nothing is panning out, that\u2019s another sign you could be in a toxic workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More: <\/strong>How to Get Promoted: 3 Important Steps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, having a case of the Sunday Night Blues is the best indicator you\u2019re in a toxic workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes called the Sunday Scaries, when you\u2019re winding down from the weekend, do you feel anxiety gnawing away at you? Is there a pit in your stomach when you think about going to work for the next week?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the answer is yes, you\u2019re probably in a toxic workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve recognized you\u2019re in a toxic workplace, you may feel helpless. However, there are ways to cope with the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s possible your company is not aware of the toxic culture. Sometimes, toxic behaviors are normalized and accepted because so-and-so is \u201cjust that way\u201d or \u201cwe\u2019ve always done it like this,\u201d and no one has ever addressed the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider speaking with your boss or HR and point out that what\u2019s going on isn\u2019t great and is hurting morale. They might be surprised to learn that people are unhappy and there are problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, use this approach cautiously. Not all employers are open and receptive to employee feedback, and speaking up could put a target on your back. And even if you\u2019re 100% right about the situation, it\u2019s entirely possible the company will blame you (“you\u2019re blowing things out of proportion,” “you\u2019re not a team player”), which could make work even more toxic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If discussing the toxic workplace culture is out of the question, find a way to vent your frustrations. Talk to trusted coworkers who can identify with your experience. Or, speak with others who have experienced similar workplaces and can offer insights or are just willing to listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Help yourself battle the stress and anxiety of being in a toxic workplace<\/strong> by engaging in activities that bring you joy. Practice yoga, volunteer at the animal shelter, play softball with friends…anything that makes you happy and helps take your mind off work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, figuring out if you\u2019re in a toxic workplace or a hostile workplace is tricky. Likewise, in a toxic workplace, you could be fired one day \u201cjust because.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep records of toxic behaviors you observe or experience. If nothing else, writing things down and reviewing them later can help you objectively evaluate the situation to help you see if you\u2019re really in a toxic workplace or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the best way to handle a toxic workplace that likely won\u2019t change is to leave<\/strong>! As soon as you realize you\u2019re in one, start looking. Update your resume<\/a>, talk to your network<\/a>, and get the job search ball rolling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s normal for an interviewer to ask why you\u2019re looking for a new job<\/a> or why you left your last one. As part of your interview prep<\/a>, come up with an answer that helps explain why you left (or are leaving) a toxic workplace without actually saying, \u201cIt\u2019s a toxic workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This tip applies in any job interview, but especially when you\u2019re explaining why you left a toxic workplace, don\u2019t badmouth your employer. If your answer sounds like everything that went wrong is the employer\u2019s fault, there\u2019s a chance the interviewer may think you\u2019re covering something up and that you\u2019re the real problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hiring managers don\u2019t want a long, in-depth explanation of why you\u2019re looking for a new job. They are expecting a brief but professional answer that sums things up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The trick to explaining a previous toxic workplace is to make it sound like the job or company wasn\u2019t the right fit for you<\/strong>, not the other way around. So, briefly mention the situation without getting too specific:<\/p>\n\n\n\n After explaining why you\u2019re looking, shift the focus back to the opening and why you applied. Talk about what excites you about the company or the role, or mention how this position fits in with your career plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is a Toxic Workplace? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10 Signs You\u2019re in a Toxic Workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Poor Communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Cliques and Gossip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Excluding People<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Unmotivated Staff <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Growth and Innovation Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Lots of Turnover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Lacks Balance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. You Didn\u2019t Get What You Were Promised <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. You\u2019ve Stalled Out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. You Have the Sunday Night Blues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5 Ways to Cope In a Toxic Workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Talk About It (Carefully)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Find Ways to Vent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Engage in Things That Bring You Joy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Keep Records<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Look for an Exit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Explain Why You Left a Toxic Workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Don\u2019t Badmouth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Keep It Brief<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Change Topics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n