What to do in a toxic work culture.
Author: Ryan McCarty
You might want to leave your job for many reasons, including low pay, long commutes, or disagreements with management. But one of the most common reasons people quit their jobs is because they don't like their workplace culture. For instance, a company that has long hours and high stress can be a massive turnoff for team members who value a good work-life balance.
While some companies have positive cultures that promote creativity and inspiration, others foster environments where bullying and harassment run rampant. Getting out of a toxic work environment requires first recognizing it and knowing what to do.
Here are some ways to recognize if your workplace culture is toxic:
Controlling by micromanagement
Bullying or harassment from other employees or managers
Being forced into roles that don't match your strengths or experience
There is a lack of opportunities for growth in the organization
Taking care of yourself in a toxic environment can be challenging. In this blog I wrote, Mental Health At Work, I share that workplace stress causes 120,000 deaths in the United States each year. The importance of choosing a healthy culture at work cannot be overstated!
Here are three tips for taking care of yourself in a toxic work culture:
Finding teammates within the organization who are able to assist you in difficult situations with other employees or managers can be very helpful. Even if you can't change everything about your situation, having someone who understands what's going on can make a big difference when trying to get through tough days at work!
Find ways to positively influence the culture of your organization by bringing up concerns in a constructive way. If you feel ignored or dismissed, talk to management about changes that need to be made for things to improve. In the event that your concerns are taken into consideration, ask how you can be a part of the changes that need to be made. If you are not confident that it will be handled correctly if at all, or if you are likely to be dismissed, move on to tip three.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by a toxic work environment, consider whether it's time to look for a new job. There's nothing wrong with feeling frustrated or angry when things don't go according to plan. If your situation does not improve over time and negatively impacts your well-being, you may want to consider looking for another job.
When you're looking for a new job, you want to make sure that the company has a good culture. But what does that mean? And why does it matter?
A healthy company culture will support your well-being and make your work experience more enjoyable. That's because the kind of leaders who lead in a healthy culture are those who care about their employees' health, happiness, and success. Additionally, they are more likely to provide you with the resources you need to succeed, like trust and empowerment, so that you can learn and develop your skills so that you can make a meaningful contribution at work.
You can learn more about our culture and leadership development strategies at www.cultureofgood.com
