A toxic work environment is one where negative behaviors such as bullying, yelling, manipulation, etc. are so much a part of the workplace that a lack of productivity, a lack of trust, discrimination and high stress levels all become the norm.
Here are a few signs:
– There are no boundaries. An example would be if you are being asked to stay late more often than not to work on projects you did not sign up for.
– There is no room for mistakes. If you make a mistake, you are given no mercy but instead are raked over the coals.
– The interpersonal relationships are unhealthy and there is no trust. If everyone seems to have contempt for their co-workers and talk badly about everyone behind their back, trust will never be earned or gained.
– People are disengaged and the turnover rate is high. Employees want to feel they are being heard and are a part of something. If people don’t feel that, they will disengage, stop caring about their performance, and ultimately leave on their own or get fired.
– There is no support for employee growth. It has often been said that employees don’t leave their job, they leave their manager. If there is no encouragement or pathway for upward mobility, an employee will eventually go elsewhere to find those things.
It is crucial that you find a job where you feel appreciated and valued. Life is too short to spend the bulk of your days at a job where you feel anything less!
Feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn for comments or to discuss further! https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mills-hrprofessional/
Mike Dunn
Mike spent 24 years as a Major Accounts Manager for a Fortune 50 IT company before launching three businesses that focus on job creation, workforce development, and customer service:
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Katie Mills, SHRM–SCP
Katie is a passionate HR professional with deep involvement at both the local and national levels of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She brings real-time insight into hiring trends, workplace culture, and the evolving expectations of employers in today’s labor market.
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