The most disappointing thing to encounter during your career is a toxic work environment. Toxic workplaces are more common than most people like to admit. This is exactly why I created a toxic workplace checklist so that you can easily identify a toxic work culture.
If you follow me on LinkedIn or are subscribed to my YouTube channel, you know how passionate I am about raising and spreading awareness on the damaging effects of toxic workplaces. As a survivor of toxic workplaces and a person who used to manage employees in toxic environments, I can tell you the ins and outs of them. I can tell you how to pick up on red flags in job interviews and how to recognize a toxic environment within the first week of working in one.
I’m going to share some commonly asked questions regarding toxic work environments and a toxic workplace checklist so that you can get familiar with the signs and prove that you work in a toxic work environment.
Toxic Work Environments- Commonly Asked Questions
Is quitting a toxic job without notice ok?
This is a question I receive a lot and I often get a lot of backlash for my answer. Here it goes. You can ABSOLUTELY quit a toxic job without notice. If you are in an environment that is continuing to damage your level of confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth, you need to leave as soon as possible. Professionals often don’t realize the negative mental, emotional, and physical effects that a toxic work environment can have.
Being subjected to bullying, harassment, and tension every day can make you sick (both mentally and physically). Me and clients that I have worked with report experiencing depression, weight gain, weight loss, loss of appetite, headaches, anxiety, and more. If you begin to notice any of the effects listed above, it is ok to quit asap to protect your sanity and health.
What qualifies as a toxic work environment?
I’ve included a lot of qualifiers below in the toxic workplace checklist. I want to first mention, there are variety of signs, characteristics, and situations that can lead to qualifying a workplace as toxic. The most important qualification is how YOU feel. On top of that, paying attention to your emotional, mental, and physical state while in a work environment is important. Once you begin to notice a decline is any (or all) categories, you can bet that the environment is toxic.
It’s also important to mention that the definition of “toxic” can differ from person to person. There are some people who thrive in toxic work cultures because they are used to it. This doesn’t make it acceptable or ok. Most importantly, it doesn’t mean that you are required to “thrive” or deal with it just because they are. You have a right to make decisions based on your needs, feelings, and values.
Is it ok to quit a toxic work environment?
Yes, yes, and more yes! For the sake of your health (mental, emotional, and physical), please quit. There is no amount of money, perks, or benefits that is worth sacrificing for a toxic environment.
Why are workplaces so toxic?
Toxicity doesn’t happen overnight. Toxic work environments are created due to a gradual buildup of inappropriate behaviors over time. They result from a lack of accountability, directions, and honesty. It usually begins with one or two people spreading negativity, displaying inappropriate behaviors, and setting a negative tone. Leaders often fail to call out and punish the behavior. Instead, they ignore it, and this quickly becomes the “acceptable norm.” Other employees watch and take note of what is tolerated and begin to exhibit the same behaviors and actions. Toxicity is like a disease that starts off small, but left untreated, spreads all over.
What are 5 indicators that your work culture is toxic?
Below is a list of common indicators that I’ve created for my clients and professionals who work in toxic environments. I recommend starting with doing some internal work. This means looking inward and checking in with your daily thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
To determine if your work environment is toxic, ask yourself the following questions:
- How do you feel on Sunday nights? Do you get the “Sunday Blues?”
- What thoughts do you have while on your way to work?
- Have you been struggling with anxiety, depression, or weight gain since starting the role?
- Do you feel like you walk on eggshells around your supervisor and/or colleagues?
- Have you or anyone close to you noticed a change in your behavior?
- Have you stopped going activities that bring you joy?
- What does your self-care routine look like these days?
- What would you rate your level of confidence and competence on a scale of 1-10 (10 being “confident as hell”)
When it comes to determining whether or not you are working in a toxic environment, you don’t need validation from other people. Look inward and trust your gut. If you answered yes to the majority of questions listed above, I can guarantee that you are working in a toxic environment. If you need more convincing, below are questions to ask yourself and answer about the day-to-day environment.
Toxic Workplace Checklist- Questions you should ask yourself
In addition to the toxic workplace indicators above, ask yourself these questions as well.
- What is the overall mood of the office? Do staff argue, throw insults, or sabotage each other.
- Do you feel respected by your supervisor and colleagues?
- How transparent is the organization? Do you feel like you know what’s going on or do you feel like you’re left in the dark?
- What is your relationship like with your supervisor?
- Do you (or staff) feel comfortable voicing your concerns to leadership?
- Do you feel comfortable being yourself at the office?
- Does your employer/supervisor promote work/life balance?
Toxic Workplace Checklist
Now that you’ve answered questions in detail, here is a quick checklist that you can use to officially confirm that you are in a toxic culture. Place a “T” near every trust statement.
- I dread waking up in the morning to go to work.
- I look forward to the weekend and dread Sunday nights.
- I get anxiety (a pit in my stomach) when I think of my job.
- I feel nervous when I have to call in sick or request vacation days.
- I’d rather use all my sick and vacation days instead of go to work.
- My boss makes me extremely nervous and uncomfortable.
- Yelling and name calling is the norm in my office.
- I do not feel respected or valued in my workplace.
- My boss frequently embarrasses me in front of others.
- My ideas are always shot down.
- I’m too scared to present my thoughts or ideas to my supervisor or coworkers.
- There is a lot of office drama.
- Me (and my coworkers) are often left in the dark when it comes to company news or projects.
- Open communication is not encouraged in the office.
- I’m nervous to bring up a concern due to fear of retaliation.
- I can’t trust anyone I work with.
- My supervisor often gossips about me and my coworkers to others.
- I feel bullied.
- Everyone fears the same person.
- Bullying is popular in my office.
- It feels like everything is driven based off of fear.
- If someone reports an issue, they are fired or punished.
- I (and my coworkers) often question our own thoughts and opinions.
- No one takes accountability to problems they cause.
- The environment feels sad and depressed.
- I feel drained at the end of each work shift.
- I have a hard time sleeping because I’m constantly thinking about work.
- I feel like I’m on edge 90% of the time.
- I daydream about quitting often.
- My coworkers have said that they believe the environment is “toxic.”
- My level of confidence and self-esteem has decreased since I’ve been with my company.
- I constantly question my value.
- I no longer think I’m good enough or smart enough.
Is my workplace toxic?
If you answered TRUE to more than 10 of these statements in the toxic workplace checklist, these are indicators your work culture is toxic. There are many other signs of toxic work environments. As I mentioned before, it is important that you lean in and become comfortable with believing and valuing your own opinion.
Life is too short to settle for and stay in a toxic work environment. The longer you stay, the more internal damage will be done. You deserve better and you can have better. There are amazing companies, bosses, and coworkers out there who will value, respect, and celebrate your contribution.
I wish you the best as you navigate this time in your career.
Cheers to your healing and future endeavors!
