<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere will inevitably be drama in the office, but if it never seems to end, chances are you’re in a toxic workplace. If you mind your own business but constantly face office gossip, exclusion, or backstabbing from coworkers, it’s a sign of a toxic work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen this type of gossipy behavior by toxic people is normalized, employees start to believe that they have no boundaries, leading to more severe consequences like bullying. It’s time to take a step back and consider if it is worth your mental health to stay at this job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>14. There’s little feedback<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe poor communication and lack of feedback provided in a toxic work environment often make employees feel frustrated because they want to grow but don’t know what steps they should take next. All employees’ progress needs to be recognized and given feedback when something goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>15. There’s a lack of resources<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen a company struggles to provide employees with the necessary resources, it often frustrates staff members. Employees need access to the tools, training sessions, and information needed to do their best work, so if there is an overall lack of these resources, you may want to look for new employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>16. There’s little room to innovate<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you notice that your company is not open to change or new ideas, it might signal that there isn’t much innovation in the workplace. Building an innovative culture is beneficial for all employees because it gives them learning and growth opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>17. Pay isn’t equal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere shouldn’t be huge discrepancies in pay within a company. It is important to ensure that women earn the same salaries as men for similar jobs, and workers with disabilities must also be given the necessary compensation. Being underpaid can lead to frustration, so it might be a toxic environment if you notice it happening at your place of employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>18. People are always looking for someone to blame<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt is essential in companies to take responsibility when we make mistakes and not to point the finger at other people. When employees constantly feel like they need someone else to blame, this can lead to low morale and workplace toxicity all around. People will hesitate to speak up or convey bad news if they are afraid of being blamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>19. You’re not paid for overtime<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn companies, it is essential to be paid fairly and given compensation for any extra hours worked so that workers are reimbursed seamlessly. When employees notice they are not getting paid for their time working over the average number of hours, this can lead to a toxic workplace because there are often high levels of frustration among staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>20. There’s a high employee turnover rate<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis is a big sign of a toxic workplace – employees don’t want to work there because the environment is so negative. If you notice a high employee turnover, the root cause may be a toxic work environment. Employees want to opt out because of low pay, limited growth opportunities, and communication issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How do you feel when you’re in a toxic office environment?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nToxic workplaces can result in poor morale and self-esteem and cause serious disruptions in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. You dread going to work<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDo you often think about how soon you can go home after work? Or do you usually feel tired and uninterested in your work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If so, there is a chance that you don’t enjoy working at your current workplace. It might be time to look for another job if the thought of coming to the office makes you feel miserable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. You are constantly stressed out<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe all experience stress from time to time, but if your stress levels are so high that you cannot function properly daily, it’s a bad sign. This can manifest in physical symptoms such as sleepless nights or a racing heartbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>3. Your work-life balance is out of sync<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDo you have a hard time enjoying your personal life because you are constantly thinking about work? Work-life balance is the key to an overall healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are constantly prioritizing your work life, you might need to reevaluate what matters most. If your work-life balance is out of control and causing you sleepless nights and anxiety, they may be signs of toxic workplace culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What to do if you’re in a toxic work environment?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA healthy work environment is critical in shaping the company’s culture and reducing employee turnover in the organization. If you find yourself in a workplace that is starting to turn toxic, then there here are a few helpful tips to fix it and prevent it from turning worse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. Document everything<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDocumenting events can be your best weapon because if you plan to get out of the toxic environment, you will have proof that what happened was not your fault. This evidence might come in handy later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Talk to your manager<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you feel like your workplace is toxic, then there’s a good chance that it is. The first step in tackling this issue is to talk with your manager about the things that are bothering you. When you go into this conversation, be open, honest, and professional. It may help if you start by saying that you value your work and think that improvements are to be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>3. Create a plan of action<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOnce you have talked with your manager, ask them what they think can be done about the current situation. If they seem like they’re willing to make changes, then develop an action plan together to fix things. You may want to ask for regular check-ins on the progress that you’re making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>4. Be proactive<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf your workplace is filled with unproductive and inappropriate behavior, then you need to take action for yourself and your company. Let people know when they are acting inappropriately and make your expectations clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>5. Ask questions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMake sure that you always ask lots of questions when starting a new assignment or project, especially with a team that has not worked together before. This will help you better understand what is expected and encourage the team to give you feedback and answer any questions that you may have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>6. Thank your colleagues<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen an assignment or project is completed, make sure you thank your team members for their help and time. This will show that you value their contribution and encourage them to do more work in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>7. Stand up for yourself<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTeam members who work on a project together are bound to have ups and downs. However, you should still stand up for yourself if your colleagues are disrespectful or taunting you about things unrelated to the task at hand. If this continues to happen over time, it may be best to seek out someone higher up in your company who can mediate the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>8. Offer constructive feedback<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOffering constructive feedback to your colleagues for their work is a great way of fostering healthy relationships. Some people are naturally very domineering and may perceive any feedback as negative criticism. Make sure you are speaking to them about their strengths and how they can improve in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>9. Leave if needed<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour physical and mental health comes first. So if you are in a toxic workplace, your best option is to leave. You can always find employment elsewhere if you are looking for one. If you want to remain in your company, but there is nothing you can do about the toxic culture, try to find the silver lining and make the most of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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