written by Tiziana Ingratta of The Workplace Group

How it Started…

I may be one of the few who can say they are grateful for their past toxic workplace experience. 

I had been unemployed for over six months after an early Covid-19 termination and was eager to jump into a new employment opportunity in a family-owned business with local roots that had grown to serve a global market. The work seemed straightforward, and the constant reassurance of the small team feeling like a ‘family’ gave me hope that I would find the fit I was searching for. 

Spotting It

The red flags started early, and in retrospect I could have recognized them sooner. I noticed that the majority of folks in the office took lunch at their desks, or in the lunchroom on their own. In my first two weeks, only my manager and two other colleagues made conversation with me, while others barely introduced themselves. Onboarding was minimal, and I was thrown into problem-solving without any training. 

As months went on, I was exposed to other glaring red flags of a toxic workplace such as micromanagement, unpaid overtime, unrealistic workload expectations, and stagnant skill development. What once felt like the promise of fulfilling job at a hopeful family-owned business turned into a front-row seat to heated, unpleasant arguments between family members in upper management on a regular basis.

Like many other young employees, this type of culture at work began to have a negative impact on my productivity and mental health. Young workers who are exposed to toxic work environments have the risk of suffering from burnout, increased stress and anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Employees lose self-esteem, develop poor work-life balance, experience reduced career ambition, and feel stuck due to their financial situations. 

Stabilizing It 

Establishing strategies to handle these types of workplaces is essential to building resiliency. Practicing self-care activities and healthy routines before and after work are necessary for counteracting negative exposure in the workplace. 

Prioritize breaks in your workday and limit interactions with negative individuals if you can. Take a short walk to physically step away from the environment. If it’s feasible, take sick days for your mental wellbeing. Research mental health supports in your area and speak to your family doctor about how you’re feeling. Integrate tools that boost your mood such as listening to upbeat music while you work or packing your favourite snacks. Address issues with a manager when possible, as they may be unaware of these struggles. 

If changes do not happen in the workplace, you may be faced with the choice to exit the role. The decision to begin looking for a new opportunity can come with conflicting feelings of its own, including the distrust toward future workplaces. Trust your gut and allow yourself to reach for hope of a new role at a healthier organization. 

Strategizing an Exit Plan 

Strategizing your exit plan can include updating your marketing materials like your resume and LinkedIn profile, as well as finding ways to communicate about and leverage your transferable skills. Be ready to address why you are looking to leave your current role in an interview, while also not speaking negatively of your current employer to avoid preconceptions. 

Consider doing research on a company’s mission and values, check their employee reviews on public platforms, and discuss their work culture and transparency in an interview. Feel confident in asking questions to interviewers about how the company prioritizes work-life balance and what other roles people have moved into after being in this position. 

Ending on a High Note! 

Healthy and happy workplaces do exist, and through my local employment service provider, I was able to find an organization that has helped me heal from my toxic workplace experience. I was able to find a place that prioritizes professional development, has supportive management, and trustworthy colleagues that I’ve built genuine friendships with. 

Employees, especially young workers, have come to understand the profound impact work has on their lives and must emphasize their own wellbeing and development in the workplace.