Toxic Work Culture
What is a toxic work culture?
A toxic workplace has the potential to create a number of overwhelming negative factors that can affect the well-being of those working in it.
This can manifest in a number of ways:
- Ineffective communication & leadership
- Overbearing office politics
- Excessive workload
- Lack of teamwork and
- Lack of respect among colleagues.
Employees do not feel valued, seen or heard in a toxic work environment.
Quite often in a Toxic workplace there will be:
- High levels of sickness/absenteeism amongst employees
- High turnover of employees due to the impact the behaviours of the management have on them. Depending on the company structure, more often than not there will be denial from the management/owners that this toxicity exists within the business.
In my many years experience of working in the business world and through working with clients in my coaching business,
along with the toxicity comes FEAR.
Everyone is afraid to speak up and call it out due to the potential consequences should they do so. Every case is different, there will of course be similarities, however each case is unique.
Working in a toxic environment can be very unhealthy for your well-being. You have options – please do not suffer in silence, seek support if you need it.
If your heath is being effected please contact your GP.
Business challenges and a toxic culture
Changing a company culture is no easy task, and this can only be considered should the management/owners acknowledge the behavioural issues within the company first and then implement a strategy for changes to improve it.
The current economy, business challenges and global restructure of how business’ operate and how people work since the pandemic makes it even more complex to navigate.
The most productive and beneficial steps you can make to improve your situation in this kind of environment are;
SELF-CARE ACTIONS:
Become self-aware (understand and explore your own behaviours, strengths, weaknesses, and triggers)
Have clear boundaries (know what you are and are not responsible for. What is acceptable and what isn’t?)
Be adaptable (be willing to change)
Focus on what you are doing, what you can do
Explore your options.