Is Your Work Becoming Toxic?
If….you speed-walk to your cubicle and throw on noise-canceling headphones…
If…..you feel stressed out by constant conflict with coworkers…
If… you’d rather make yourself sick than go into work each day….
Then, you may be in a toxic work environment.
All work environments have periods of high and low. Some are consistently low. But, others are simply toxic.
Toxic environments are filled with high stress, and this can lead to serious health problems. In fact, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace.
How do you know if you are in a toxic work environment, and how can you get out?
Sustained period of conflict
Toxic environments do not happen overnight. You may have loved your work environment for a long time and things deteriorated. This could be due to a change in management or a change in company culture. Whatever the reason, negativity in the workplace has become a constant daily reality over a sustained period of time.
If you’ve ever felt like you were blamed for something you didn’t do or manipulated by misdirection, odds are good that you’ve been a victim of gaslighting.
According to Psychology Today, gaslighting is psychological manipulation which sows seeds of discontent and doubt. The term comes from a 1938 mystery thriller called Gas Light where a diabolical husband drives his wife slowly mad by making up false memories and denying facts.
In the workplace, gaslighting is a form of harassment that often goes underreported because it is difficult to prove.
Employees have fundamental differences in company goals
Things can get toxic when employees are not working towards a common goal. Perhaps there is a “get on board or get out” management style. Or, there is a fundamental disagreement between the old way of doing things versus the new. Perhaps employees don’t believe in the mission of the company because it has changed. This can lead to constant big picture arguments.
Negativity among coworkers
In a toxic environment, coworkers thrive on putting one another down. Or, they target one or two people to constantly put down in order to get ahead themselves. People can even become paranoid about leaving a room. Some workers feel stuck in their role and feel they can never get ahead because social issues matter more than the quality of their work.
If you are in a toxic work environment, now may be the time to get out. A recruiting firm can help. At Artemis Consultants, we believe that work environments should be supportive and motivating. We serve as a bridge between companies and qualified employees. If you decide to pursue a new role, choose a firm that can help you identify opportunities that match your career goals and aspirations.
