My toxic workplace culture – what can I do?
A few years ago, I worked out that my workplace was becoming really negative, toxic culture and bad for my mental health – and this situation is unfortunately common.
I did not see the signs before it started to have a very negative affect on me. Other people have since said to me not only did they not see the signs, but they did also not know what (if anything) they could do about the situation.
In hindsight this is some of the signs I missed…
There was behaviour that made in an unpleasant workplace.
Bad behaviour was being rewarded.
Gossip started and got worse.
The boss was inconsistent with their message and the owner was always absent.
This had a negative impact on my mental health, job satisfaction and in the end my ability to do my job well.
Statistically the way people deal with this type of challenge is to quit their job. But leaving your job is not always an option. The biggest reason for not quitting, I found after talking with others, they can’t afford too.
Here are some of the strategies I have learnt. In truth I am not always good at using them, but that is another story.
Speak up (if you can)
It is very hard to speak up but not reporting bad behaviour can be a contributor to the toxicity.
Lieutenant-General David Morrison (Ret,) then Chief of the Army said it well in his response to the “Jedi Council” sex scandal June 2013
“Every one is responsible: The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.
If you feel you can, if you feel confident, if you feel comfortable, meet with your manager. Talk to them about what you are experiencing. Talk to them about how it is impacting you. If that’s not possible in your situation, who can you talk with? Do you have a Human Resources Manager?
Manage your health
I used routine as a huge part of managing my health. Same time wake up alarm 7 days per week, eating my main meal as lunch, walking along my favourite pathway (near water with a good coffee at the turn around point), take a break away from the situation, monthly mental health check up!
Have a workplace best bud
Even at the worse, I had a one consistent positive relationship at work, with a work colleague. We went walking at lunch time, vent, have fresh air, see a beautiful view and yes, we trusted each other that the conversation was a private matter (trust).
Have a plan
I am a planner, so I applied that to my decision to stay, go…think a list of things I liked and the stuff I did not like. The longest list won, I quit.