7 Signs Of A Toxic Working Environment

A healthy work environment improves satisfaction, well-being and good relationships among employees. However, this may not always be the case. Sometimes we can feel frustrated, tired and unmotivated because of toxic work environment, and maybe we do not even like to go to work, because of our colleagues or boss.

A toxic work environment can have a negative impact on us.

If we imagine a company or organization as a melting pot of emotions, conflicts and differences can exist. The problem is not their causes, but how to manage them and where to start. Degrading treatment, unhealthy competition, and aggressive, bad, and manipulative behavior characterize a toxic work environment.

Knowing if you are in a toxic work environment will be able to protect you. The following are the common features of this kind of environment. Let’s discuss them.

Absence as an indication of a toxic working environment

It is normal for people to become ill, have a doctor’s appointment or occasionally have to go to something that may force them to be absent from work. However, when this behavior becomes a habit, it can be a warning sign.

Being absent at least three times a month or more, or always requesting leave, whether for personal purposes, medical examinations or illness, are the symptoms of absence. If it is unjustified, it may be a good indication of a toxic work environment.

Another form of absence is mental absence. That means going to work, but spending most of the time doing tasks that are unrelated to the workplace.

These types of behaviors can be corrected if the manager takes responsibility for increasing employee motivation. If employees are motivated, they avoid discouragement.

Poor treatment caused by superiors

Another indication of a toxic work environment is disrespect on the part of superiors when they interact with their subordinates. This is also the case if they use cynical behavior and sarcasm when talking to employees.

Derogatory remarks, unconstructive criticism and comparison of people also reflect this. Instead of encouraging teamwork, these forms of management encourage too much competition and make employees feel uncomfortable.

3. Lack of communication

Communication problems in the workplace usually occur when indirect, incomplete or partially untrue communication occurs. This creates double meanings and confusion, resulting in errors.

In many cases, managers do not specify how they want certain tasks performed. They are waiting for their subordinates to “read their minds” or guess the details. As a result, employees will feel frustrated, insecure and unmotivated.

Too little employee protection

This happens when the company prioritizes its own interests (customers, cost savings, etc.) instead of the employees. There is no rotation or possibility of promotion. In addition, they have no training programs or career plans.

Employees can spend ten years performing the same tasks without any kind of promotion or without being considered for one. Another thing that can happen is that the internal rules change without prior notice. In general, all these conditions cause great dissatisfaction among the employees and create a toxic working environment.

5. Dictatory leadership

In this case, the leader makes all the decisions without considering the ideas of the team. They do not listen or ask for the opinions of others. They thus create a fear of expressing themselves among the employees.

Dictatorial leaders are often distrustful of other people because they believe that they are the only ones who could do the job well and that no one knows as much as they do. Often, this mistrust comes from personal insecurity, especially when one of the employees stands out and becomes a threat.

What makes matters worse in this kind of toxic work environment is that employees do not see their boss as someone who could help them solve a problem.

6. Role problems

Roles are the functions that employees play at work. Although they are extremely complex, they need to be well defined. Otherwise, employees may not understand their role in the company clearly.

When this happens, they may take on tasks that they cannot handle, or may have to deal with excessive demands.

7. Bullying

Workplace bullying is often very common in a toxic work environment. This happens when one or more employees make the work difficult for other employees. They can harass them on both a professional and personal level. In this regard, having a bad relationship with colleagues can be a major source of stress.

All of these problems can affect employees both physically and mentally, affecting their well-being. Therefore, it is important to address them, to deal with or avoid a toxic work environment.