With former employees sharing their negative experiences working for companies like Bon Appétit, LinkedIn, and Refinery29, now seems to be the perfect time to discuss the topic of toxic workplaces.
It’s essential that you are also able to tell whether the environment you’re working in is posing a threat to your mental well-being. Here are some of the telltale signs you should watch out for.
Fear of Speaking Up
Notice how only a few people get to speak or share their ideas during meetings? It might be an indication that your opinions aren’t treated the same as that of the bosses.
Another reason is that the people you’re working with are afraid of being shut down again if they do share their thoughts.
Fast Job Turnover
A revolving door of employees is never a good sign. When people are leaving their jobs within months of being hired, there might be something very wrong with the way a company is running itself.
Be wary of the turnover rate at your own workplace or the company you’re planning to apply at before committing.
Unenthusiastic Colleagues
People leaving isn’t the only way to tell whether or not employees are happy at their job. Take a look around your office and notice how your colleagues behave.
Are they enthusiastic about doing their tasks? Or do they often look demotivated and just going through the motions?
If it’s the latter, then you might be stuck in the toxic workplace, too. And the chances are high that you might be feeling the same negative energies your colleagues feeling.
Taking Home Work Stress
Notice how the things that happen at work often affect the other areas of your life?
Say you’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from your boss, you’ll likely also be in a good mood when you’re at home or hanging out with friends. Similarly, the stress of being in a toxic work environment can also turn your mood upside down.
This may result in you snapping at your loved ones more often, having trouble sleeping, or gaining weight.
Disgruntled Employees
Keeping communication lines open is a necessity to run a productive workplace. When this doesn’t happen, the office can quickly turn into a toxic environment where employees exhibit negative attitudes as they become more cynical of the management.
If you notice this happening in your workplace, it might be time for you to consider quitting to find a better company to work at or explore other employment options.