It’s time for everyone to evaluate their work environment and the people they work with. This can help determine if it’s affecting their well-being and career path. While protecting yourself from toxic coworkers is essential, it’s also important to consider the cost of doing business in a toxic work environment. You need to move toward a more respectful culture to improve your work environment.
After much thought and deliberation, you may be on the fence about whether or not to do business in a toxic work environment. This article lists several unhealthy workplace habits to avoid in the new year.
Negativity
One of the most common signs of a toxic work environment is the presence of disgruntled employees. These individuals will likely gather around their cubicles to discuss their grievances after every meeting. These individuals often gossip about the company’s direction and leadership. They’re also usually corporate teenagers who rely on their teammates for strength and safety. These individuals also befriend new employees and spread rumors about their coworkers. Avoid getting involved in the drama and participating in gossip.
Toxic Managers
Being targeted by your manager is not a pleasant experience. It can either make you feel like you’re either hated or scared of them, and it can lead to bad news. This type of manager can create a toxic work environment by discouraging employees from providing input, collaborating closely, or disclosing information. Under dictatorships, job survival is unpredictable due to how the environment can change. Everyone is free to do whatever they want. Trusting your friends and colleagues is risky, and they may be your enemies. Reevaluating your resume is also important.
Dysfunctional Communication
If a manager has a sensitive situation where they don’t want to talk to a peer or subordinate directly but will gladly reach out to a third party, this can create a toxic work environment. This manager is known to play the people against each other to diffuse a situation. This is a typical pattern of managers incapable of dealing directly with issues. The presence of this type of manager can create a toxic work environment. It can affect different departments and functions, as well as managers and employees.
Conclusion
It’s not HR’s fault that a toxic work environment is created. Every employee and manager is responsible for keeping an eye on the company’s pulse to ensure everyone is being taken care of.
Before deciding which side of the fence to jump on, be brave and talk about the issues affecting your company. You can also campaign against toxic behaviors by discussing them with your teammates. If the company is becoming hostile, then it’s time to leave. This is also the time to start looking for a new job.