By Raghu Kshitiz
You may have heard about it or even faced it -- a toxic work
environment. Yes, you heard it right! A toxic work environment is a workplace
where stress, unhealthy practices, gossip, negativity, harassment, or discrimination
are the norm.
Toxic work environments can take many forms, including discrimination,
sexual harassment, bullying, and unreasonable demands from management or bosses.
Employees may also feel unsupported, unappreciated, and overworked -- leading
to increased stress levels and decreased job satisfaction.
It can harm an employee's physical and mental health, and
can lead to high levels of stress, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction. In
extreme cases, toxic work environments can even contribute to depression and
anxiety.
According to an Empirical Study Analyzing Job
Productivity in Toxic Workplace Environments -- which used multiple
dimensions, such as workplace ostracism, workplace incivility, workplace
harassment, and workplace bullying for
the study -- ‘ostracism, incivility, harassment, and bullying have
direct negative significant effects on job productivity, while job burnout was
shown to be a statistically significant mediator between the dimensions of a
toxic workplace environment and job productivity.’ The study also encourages
managers, leaders, and top management to adopt appropriate policies for
enhancing employees’ productivity.
Top signs of a toxic work environment
Some of the top signs that represent a toxic work environment are narcissistic behavior, offensive or aggressive leadership, harassment, excessive gossip, bullying, micromanagement, ostracism, threatening behavior from managers and coworkers, cutthroat working conditions (environment of jealousy for others’ success or coworker trying to make you look bad or take credit for your work), lack of opportunities for growth, lack of respect, the general atmosphere of chronic negativity, and unrealistic workloads.
How to deal with it?
Working in a toxic work environment can be overwhelming and
demoralizing. It can be difficult to figure out how to deal with the toxicity,
especially when you are not sure if it is isolated to one individual or if it
is more pervasive. Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the
negative impact of toxic work environments such as prioritizing self-care,
setting boundaries, and focusing on positive interactions which can help to create
a healthier and more productive work environment.
The consequences of a toxic work environment can be far-reaching, affecting not only the employees, but also their families, personal relationships, and even overall health.
To protect yourself, it is important to recognize the signs
of a toxic work environment first, such as gossip, cliques, and power
struggles. Additionally, take steps to protect your own well-being, such as setting
boundaries with toxic coworkers, practicing self-care, and seeking support from
friends, family, or a therapist.
If the situation is severely impacting your mental health
and well-being, it may be necessary to look for a new job.
It is also important to create healthy boundaries and make
sure to communicate with your supervisor or HR team if the situation becomes
too much for you to handle. Employees who are experiencing a toxic work
environment should speak up and seek support from a trusted friend, family
member, or professional counselor. It's also important for employees to
understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace and to seek
assistance from HR or a legal professional if necessary.
Furthermore, it's also essential that employers should take
steps to create a positive, healthy, and supportive workplace. This can involve
implementing clear policies and procedures to address and prevent toxic
behaviors, providing support and resources to employees, and promoting open
communication and a sense of community. Managers should also regularly check in
with their team members to ensure they feel supported and valued.
