Most of us probably have a thing or two we’d like to change about our work, but there’s a difference between wishing your office had more windows and being in a truly toxic work environment. The latter can cause stress both on the job and at home, which can then lead to physical ailments—not to mention how much the work itself undoubtedly suffers.
Here are a few symptoms of a toxic workplace, and how to handle them.
- High Burnout or Turnover Rate: People rarely stay in one job for an entire career anymore, but if staffing feels like a revolving door it could be a sign of a bad work environment.
- No Work/Life Balance: When only the workaholics who never take time off are rewarded, it could mean management isn’t concerned about the well-being of employees.
- Confusing or Contradictory Assignments: If you’re often getting unclear instructions or mixed messages from different managers, these could be symptoms of larger communication issues.
If any of this sounds familiar and you’re not in a management position in which you can fix the situation, you have two options: Learn to deal with it or quit. And, even if you decide to quit, you’ll be dealing with workplace stress until you have a new job.
You probably aren’t the only one who notices negativity in the office, so if you have a good HR department schedule some time to chat with them about the issues you’ve seen. You can ask HR or your supervisor, when appropriate, for help dealing with a problematic colleague. And even if you decide to quit, it’s also a good idea to document the problems you notice and (where possible) offer some solutions.
Should you ultimately choose to leave the company, keep in mind that it’s far easier to find a new job when you already have a job. Have a new position lined up before you hand in your notice.
