Toxicity in the workplace can manifest itself in various ways. Nonetheless, any ounce of a toxic work environment is detrimental to both your physical and mental health as an employee.
If you feel like your employer may be taking advantage of you, and you’re not sure whether their behaviour is toxic or not, you’ve come to the right place. Here are nine tell-tale signs that you are working for a toxic employer…
They Don’t Respect Your Opinion
No matter what the issue is, your opinion should be respected. Some bosses belittle their employees by mocking their opinions, however, there should be no jokes made in regard to your thoughts.
They Won’t Allow You to Take Time Off
You are legally entitled to take time off, however, toxic employers will try to persuade you against taking vacation days. If you are having trouble in this domain, make sure to speak to a professional from HKM Employment Attorneys.
They Use Guilt as a Manipulation Technique
Toxic employers will constantly use guilt as a technique to manipulate you during work hours. They may make you feel insecure about your job position if you refuse to do any unpaid overtime.
They Have Favorites in the Office
Just as a parent should never single out their favourite child, neither should the leader of an office. In some extreme cases, severe levels of favouritism could lead to the discrimination and isolation of other co-workers.
They Never Hold Themselves Accountable
Toxic employers constantly refuse to take accountability for their actions. Instead, they place the blame on all other members of the team.
They Have Unrealistic Expectations
Everyone should have a level of satisfaction they strive for; however, the worst leaders will set the bar too high and hold incredibly unrealistic expectations. An example of this is setting deadlines that are impossible to meet and getting angry when the task is not completed.
They Offer Unconstructive Feedback
Sure, you may not always hit the nail on the head when it comes to work. However, it’s important that you receive constructive criticism that can help you understand where you’ve gone wrong and how to improve.
They Take Credit for Your Work
If you’ve poured a lot of thought and energy into a project, you may be shocked to find that a toxic employer will take all the credit for your actions.
They Make Inappropriate Comments
Inappropriate comments or gestures, such as an eye roll or demeaning remark, whilst employees are speaking can cause great discomfort and foster a toxic environment.
In this day and age, there is no excuse for toxic behaviour in the workplace. Thankfully, workers’ rights have advanced to the point that legal action can be pursued if matters do get out of hand. With so many employers to choose from, there is no need to continue in a toxic environment. The best thing you can do in this situation is to simply remove yourself and carry on in a different place of work.
