Does going to work make you feel dread, stressed or anxious? Chances are you are in a toxic workplace.

Did you know that an average individual spends a third of their lives, about 90,000 hours, at their work?

By spending a significant amount of time in a particular place, we can undeniably say that events unfolding in the walls of our workplace can have a profound influence on our lives.

While some experiences can leave us feeling energised and fulfilled, others might have a negative impact on our health and well-being. The latter often stems from being part of a toxic work culture. But how do we identify whether these behaviours are present in the workplace and more importantly how do we protect ourselves from their negative consequences?

I hope this article will act as a guide to provide you with answers to these questions. We will look at what makes a workplace toxic, identify ten warning signs, discuss how it impacts us, and offer practical solutions for dealing with a toxic workplace.

Shortcuts For The Busy Reader

What Is A Toxic Work Environment?

Signs of a Toxic Work Environment

1. Poor Communication

2. No Role & Task Clarity

3. Prevalence of Gossip

4. Poor Leadership

5. High Employee Turnover

6. Rampant Workplace Bullying

7. Lack of Work-life Balance

8. No Diversity and Inclusivity

9. Lack of Trust In Employees

10. Lack of Career Growth

How Does a Toxic Workplace Affect You?

How to Handle a Toxic Work Environment?

What Is A Toxic Work Environment?

A toxic work environment is best described as one where negative behaviours such as disrespect, discrimination, distrust and hostility are not only prevalent but also part of the organisation’s work culture. Prolonged exposure to such environments not only demotivates and disengages employees, but also jeopardises their health, paving the way for excessive stress, burnout, and fatigue.

Unfortunately, these work environments are more common than we would like to believe.

The McKinsey Health Institute report from 2022, for example, estimates that 1 in 4 employees is subjected to toxic behaviours at work.

Given the threat they pose to employee welfare, the alarming statistics highlight the need for organisations to take decisive action in eliminating toxic behaviours and building a healthy, inclusive culture.

Signs of a Toxic Work Environment

Knowing how widespread a toxic work culture can be, it is critical for us as employees to be on the lookout for any warning signs of it. Here is a list of ten indicators to keep an eye out for:

1. Poor Communication

Workplace communication is an essential part of any organisation as it fundamentally fosters the flow of ideas and beliefs among employees. It also plays a role in nurturing collaboration and improving working relationships. Effective communication can help foster feelings of belonging and trust along with being a motivating force that boosts morale and increases productivity.

Given its vital role, any form of communication that falls short of this can prove to be detrimental to the workplace. According to a 2022 report by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), a lack of communication is a key contributor to a toxic workplace.

The report further elaborates that 3 out of 10 employees believe that their supervisors do not foster an environment that encourages them to be open and communicate transparently. This may inhibit employees from sharing what is on their minds out of fear of being insulted or disrespected.

2. No Role & Task Clarity

Due to poor workplace communication or inefficient management, employees may be unaware of their duties or what is expected of them. This ambiguity and lack of clarity can lead to increasing disputes among coworkers over who is responsible for what tasks, jeopardising healthy coworker relationships.

3. Prevalence of Gossip

Experts tout gossip to be an unavoidable aspect of any work atmosphere where colleagues interact. In fact, Grosser and colleagues reported that over 90% of people in the workforce engage in some type of gossip in their 2012 study.

While this does indicate interpersonal communication amongst colleagues, we also need to pay close attention to the context of the conversation, since gossip can also veer into spiteful territory. Consider conversations that contain rumours about your colleague's whereabouts after a work party, or those that critique their appearance.

Or those that criticise the management, discuss redundancies/promotions or the company's financials. These are all manifestations of workplace gossip that you must watch out for.

4. Poor Leadership

Exploring toxic environments would be incomplete unless we looked at the critical role that leadership plays in fostering them.

Those in the upper echelons of management undoubtedly wield immense influence over the organisation's operations. Employees rely on leaders for guidance, inspiration, and to set a good example. As a result, when senior executives fail to uphold the organisation's fundamental values, the employees may follow suit, resulting in workplace toxicity.

So if you notice unhealthy competition, a lack of mutual goals, frequent, conflicts and an inability to prioritise significant challenges confronting the organisation among the senior management, be aware that these behaviours are indicative of establishing a toxic culture.

5. High Employee Turnover

Also known as attrition rate, it refers to the number of employees who leave the organisation in a given period. Turnover can be voluntary in which the employee leaves the company of their own volition by quitting or retiring; or involuntary in which the organisation terminates the employee's services.

An employee's decision to quit their current job can be a tough one and there may be several reasons why they might choose to do so. That being said if you notice many of your co-workers making that decision, then it might be time to keep your eyes wide open because it may be a sign of the company's hostile culture.

Studies too have documented this, with a 2022 study conducted by MIT Sloan finding that employees are 10.4 times more likely to quit their jobs due to a toxic workplace as opposed to compensation-related issues.

In addition to voluntary turnover, a higher number of employees being laid off may also suggest atoxic work culture at the organisation.

6. Rampant Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying refers to the repeated mistreatment of an employee by colleagues or supervisors, resulting in emotional or physical harm. It is a clear indicator of harmful workplace culture, indicating deeply ingrained issues.

Some of the common types of workplace bullying may include insults, passive-aggressive comments, manipulative and at times even physically intimidating behaviours. They can be expressed both blatantly and discreetly.

Instances of such behaviours include withholding critical information about assignments, constantly criticising someone, threatening physical abuse, belittling someone's work right in front of supervisors, or even assigning tasks with unrealistically tight deadlines (especially when it comes from supervisors).

We must also be aware of inappropriate behaviours such as making offensive jokes or resorting to physical aggression. Being cognizant of such conduct by coworkers and superiors is critical, as they may suggest possible workplace problems.

7. Lack of Work-life Balance

Many employees are currently under pressure to be “always on” the job i.e. to respond to work-related communications even after office hours. In today's hustle culture, the state of exhaustion that emerges from these long gruelling hours is highly regarded as a sign of success. This notion, however, may not be healthy as the aforementioned behaviours can result in burnout.

So if your job requires you to constantly respond to correspondence even after you have left the office or expect you to take calls on the weekends bear in mind that this might be toxic.

Want to learn more about how to create a work-life balance? Check out our article on How To Maintain A Perfect Work-life Balance

8. No Diversity and Inclusivity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are some of the characteristics that new job seekers look for in potential employers. A 2023 study found that candidates are more likely to work for a lower income if the firm is diverse. This emphasises the importance of individuals working in an environment where they sense their opinion will be heard.

However, not all employees become part of such work environments or are afforded equal career possibilities. Employees from minority groups, especially women, underprivileged populations, and the elderly, are commonly the subject of discriminatory and exclusionary attitudes or practices. The presence of such behaviours contributes to the formation of hostile workplaces.

Interested in learning more about the significance of workplace diversity? Take a look at our article: Why Are Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace So Important?

9. Lack of Trust In Employees

Employees prefer to have the freedom to do their tasks in a manner that best suits them. The autonomy allows them to set their deadlines, working hours and even when to complete specific jobs. In other words, the most effective method to execute the task at hand.

However, this autonomy is jeopardised when supervisors or leaders lack faith in their workforce. As a result, they frequently resort to micromanaging. So if you find your manager dictating how the project should be completed, request regular updates on your progress or refuse to delegate any tasks to the team, be alert as these are tell-tale signs of not only a lack of trust in the employees but also a toxic culture.

10. Lack of Career Growth

Certain work practices or the hostile culture in itself can stifle an employee’s career growth. In some cases, employees may not receive adequate support or mentorship to support their professional growth. While in others, management may fail to outline career progression paths or provide training and learning opportunities to better their skills to advance in their career.

Such behaviours can make an employee feel trapped in their current job. As a result, if you observe similar practices at your employment, it may signal that the organisation is not vested in your growth.

How Does a Toxic Workplace Affect You?

The warning signs discussed in the preceding section outline prevalent workplace practices that might make the work environment dangerous for you as an employee. Furthermore, they have an impact on your work performance as well as other aspects of your life.

In terms of work outcomes, the most recent addition to the literature on the effects of a toxic work environment was a 2021 study by Samma Faiz Rasool and colleagues, which showed that it reduces an employee's dedication to the job. These surroundings have also been linked to lower employee productivity, creativity and work quality, in various studies. Aside from the environment, research also suggests that toxic leaders can instil in their staff cynicism or mistrust towards the organisation.

But these effects are not just confined to work-related variables. They tend to have a spillover effect, which means they affect other aspects of their lives, such as their relationships. This spillover effect has been documented in studies as well, with a 2022 SHRM research revealing that 3 in 10 employees feel that their work culture makes them irritable at home.

Aside from relationships, extended exposure to a hostile work environment can be harmful to one's health. Experts suggest that the stress stemming from hostile workplaces can lead to cancer, heart disease and depression. Studies further corroborate these findings by demonstrating associations such as gossiping's impact on mental health, bullying's link to anxiety and depression, and toxic leadership's contribution to sleep deprivation.

Recognising the substantial effects of hostile workplaces on our well-being, understanding actionable ways for effectively managing such environments becomes critical. These crucial actions will be discussed in the following section.

How to Handle a Toxic Work Environment?

Being a part of a toxic work environment can be extremely challenging as we discussed in the previous section. But an important question that should come to our mind is “What to do in a toxic work environment?”. This section aims to highlight some steps that can be beneficial to you.

• Set Boundaries for Yourself

A common feature of toxic workplaces is the lack of boundaries which can be detrimental to one’s well-being resulting in depression and burnout. To avoid these outcomes experts recommend setting clear boundaries. Establish clear yet realistic goals, priorities, and boundaries that are aligned with your ideals, skills, and duties and convey them effectively to your coworkers and superiors.

By doing so, you can not only protect yourself from negative workplace behaviours and acts but also be in control of your emotions while safeguarding your well-being. You also end up building a positive and healthy workplace for yourself, which can inspire positive change in your organisation.

Curious to delve deeper into the concept of boundary-setting? Don't miss our article: Setting Boundaries: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

• Reach Out for Support

Social support, whether in or out of the office, is a vital resource for mitigating the harmful impacts of workplace practices. Scientific studies have also thoroughly documented its benefits.

Consider the 2018 study by Louise Rossiter and Antigonos Sochos, which revealed that support from coworkers and supervisors can be highly beneficial in minimising the impact of burnout and bullying. This is because, in hostile work situations, support groups with like-minded persons can ease feelings of isolation and foster a sense of mutual understanding and encouragement.

However, if you are uncomfortable discussing work-related concerns with your coworkers, an outside support system comprised of friends, family, or a therapist can also help you express your feelings effectively.

• Plan Your Exit Strategy

In addition to the aforementioned steps, experts advise you to always have an exit plan in mind. This will be especially useful if you believe you have exhausted all of your options and see no discernible changes at your workplace; in that case, quitting your job may be the only choice.

While finding a new job in today's market can be scary, it is always preferable to be a member of an organisation that allows you to develop rather than one where you feel mistreated.

The importance of a healthy and supportive workplace cannot be overstated. Your work should be more than a chore; it should bring you fulfilment and happiness. A toxic workplace not only deprives you of this pleasure but also undermines your self-worth and professional development.

At the end of the day, your career journey warrants an empowering environment. It is, therefore, crucial for you to not only recognise toxic behaviours in your workplace but also skillfully navigate them for a brighter professional future.