Are You in a Toxic Work Environment?

Every workplace has its own struggles and stressors, however when it goes beyond stress into toxicity more than your work suffers.

Physical Health

When working in a toxic work environment for a prolonged amount of time it can contribute to serious health repercussions. Some of the physical health concerns could include:

• Panic attacks
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Insomnia or waking up multiple times throughout the night
• Nightmares
• Ulcers
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Weight Gain
• Weight Loss
• High Blood-Pressure
• Increase in addictive behaviors (ie: smoking)
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer

The list goes on and on

Emotional/Mental Health

In addition to physical health, your mental health can suffer as well. Some mental health struggles that could be caused or contributed to by a toxic workplace include:

•  Anxiety
•  Depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (yes, toxic work environments CAN contribute to PTSD – even if you are not in the military)
•  Hyper vigilance
•  Low Self-esteem
•  Hopelessness
•  Lack in work-life balance
• Again, the list goes on and on

Is YOUR Work Environment Toxic?

Below is a list of 10 signs that your workplace is toxic as provided by The Muse website.

1. There are no boundaries around work - this is a BIG one with examples that are endless. I see this with most of my people pleasing clients who were never taught to have boundaries. This could be an expectation of no end to the work day, to work on the weekends, to always be “on call” or a culture that does not allow for lunch breaks. This also can be unlimited PTO that you can never take or there is retribution for taking it (a huge work backlog that makes taking the time not worth it). 

2. People don’t trust each other - I see this most in clients who work in environments where the culture is to set colleagues against one another by creating a hierarchy often with monetary rewards for being “the best”. 

3. There is no room to make mistakes

4. People treat each other with contempt

5. The interpersonal relationships aren’t healthy

6. There is no support for employee growth

7. People frequently feel gaslighted 

8. People regularly experience physical symptoms of work stress

9. People are disengaged and turnover is high - I always recommend asking about turnover in an interview. High turnover should be a BIG red flag and should warrant a very good explanation and an investigation into something like Glassdoor. 

I Think I Have a Toxic Workplace – What Do I Do?

If you can identify with one or more of the aforementioned signs my advice would be to QUIT now! You don’t deserve to be treated that way just to make ends meet.

BUT, I do recognize that this may not always be a realistic option for everyone. Therefore, here are a few ideas that may be help until you CAN quit (preferably ASAP).

•  BOUNDARIES – This may be the most important and the most difficult to achieve. You need to create boundaries that help you to remember that there is life outside of your job. For example:  Decide on a specific time that you are going to leave/sign off of work for the day, and do it – no matter what!
•  Self-care – It is important to remember to pay attention to what you body needs, physically and emotionally. Especially since toxic jobs tend to “suck the life out of you”.
•  Sleep at least 6-8 hours a night
•  See a therapist, having a neutral party that can give you that extra support is priceless!
•  Surround yourself with compassionate people who have the patience to listen to all of your work horror stories and then give you a great big hug!