Workplace Toxicity — What needs to be done?
Your hands are trembling, words are fumbling, eyes are widening. You are gazing ahead, seeing it astonishingly, yet unable to make it. The air around is breezing by, all sounds suddenly turned to noises, and your mind is leaping at multiple thoughts one after the other. You can’t help thinking and asking yourself, ‘Is it really so?’
You gaze at the paper in your hand, the paper merely lighter than air, yet holding so much important and significant information. The words are clearly stated there, but you are unable to make them out. You can’t believe all your efforts have come true, all those hard days, late nights, long hours, working, and working, and working.
Though you had believed initially that it was going to be like this, but deep inside you had a fear, that fear of uncertainty which prevented you from rejoicing openly in all that you wanted to do and all that you had worked hard for.
But now that fear had vanished.
Because in your hands is the confirmation. The congratulations letter which states that you have successfully passed all the requirements and you were eligible to go. Good to go for that dream position you always aspired for, the one you had your eyes set on and the one you busted yourself for.
Kudos to you..!
Some Time Later…
Fast forward some time later, weeks, months, or even years later.
You are in the same position, same workplace, same spot that you rooted for. But you have changed. You have become irritable, you have become stubborn, you have become messy. Your personal growth has come to a halt, your self-grooming is doomed, your mental peace is lost and you are always on the run for one thing or the other. All the hobbies that you were fond of have been pushed under the carpet, you barely have time for family and you are always tired and burnt out. You want to take vacations, but you can’t, because there’s always work to do.
Reality Check
You have now started thinking, where is my life going?
Is this what I signed up for?
Is life going to be same forever? Or is there a chance that it will all pass?
If these questions start arising then there is a serious need to think and ponder over many issues. The down aspects may be due to the work you do, your own self, or the workplace. All these aspects should be in harmony for a successful and prosperous work life. However, the most important one to stand out among all these seems to be the workplace.
Because if you are not happy with your work, then you can change it. Or make it more interesting by incorporating new styles, new fun filled activities or new gadgets.
If you believe you are not striving hard enough then you can work harder and be more proactive and enthusiastic.
But if the workplace is not suitable then that’s a problem because you can’t change it.
The former two were in your control, so you could change those. But the last one is out of your hands, so you have no other option but to survive it, happily or hardly.
What can you do?
No matter how much you try to change yourself, or your work ways, it is generally believed that outside environment influences us more than we think. It changes our way of thinking, our way of addressing and our ways of interaction. Bad stress and pressure constantly can bring negative effects to mood, hence ruining your days.
Traits of a Toxic Workplace
In her article Signs you are in a Toxic Work Environment and How to Handle it (1), Lisa Tynan, HR recruiter and ghost writer, states six signs to identify a workplace as having toxic environment, which include:
1. Employee Sickness, causing employee burnout, leading them to call sick at work, or worse yet, working while sick
2. Narcissistic Leadership, where leaders look down upon their employees, neglecting their training, overburdening them and giving negative feedback
3. Lack of Enthusiasm, where employees due to huge workload, constant stress and pressure and negativity around, seem to be working like robots and have lost enthusiasm in their work.
4. Negative Communication, where positive communication or criticism is replaced by little or no communication at all. And whatever is said is usually just work demands
5. High Turnover, many employees who are enrolled in immediately leave the place, sensing the unfriendly and toxic environment to work.
6. Gossips and Rumors, where gossips against employees and rumors are spread instantly and people actually enjoy such rumors, maybe to bring some excitement in their dull work life.
After Effects of Toxic Work Environment
Another study published in Risk Management and Healthcare Policy concludes that toxic workplace environment and negative stress of workplace can actually reduce employee productivity due to burnout, tiredness, anxiety and lack of enthusiasm. (2)
Constant tiredness and burn out is going to have its negative effects, sooner or later. What can you do then? How much can you change yourself?
Trending now..
This is the reason that workplace values are now changing throughout the world. People are generally thinking and striving towards a better working environment. New rules are made and principles enforced which advocate for healthier life of employees. Because a healthy and happy person can work better and give productive results, no matter which-so-ever field you apply this principle to.
Think about it. If you like what you do then won’t you want to do more in it? If you are happy with your work then won’t you show more interest in it? If you like your employer then won’t you try to be in their good books? If you like your workplace then won’t you be going there happily?
And now change all the above questions to a negative, you will find the answers to be in negative too.
This is it. This is the reason why workplace environment and mental health of employees is now considered so much important. Bigger names like Google and Microsoft have even made changes to their structure to ensure that their employees spend a homey time at the office. Gyms, sports centers, games, cafeteria, vending machines, rest rooms, fun filled activities are promoted. Even indoor games, swimming pools and merchandise have made their way in these places. And infrastructure is so employee friendly, you actually look forward to it.
Forget these giants, even smaller companies have now started simple yet refreshing ways to promote employees’ health, including indoor games, gyms, rest rooms and flexible working hours. People are encouraged to voice their opinion and not silenced down. The dress code is changing at few places. Working hours have changed. The old concept of killing yourself at work is now diminishing as the concept of ‘mental health’ and ‘personal growth’ are coming to light, so the employees can better serve at their workplaces.
This doesn’t not at all mean that you start taking your work lightly. It only reflects back on the employee himself/herself. A happy, cheerful employee is going to look forward to work, will put in more efforts and bring out more results, as compared to a burnt out employee who is wondering when the clock will tick off so he/she may leave. Got my point?
Your Legacy
The idea behind writing this piece was merely to throw light over this significant yet obscure reality. The one which is still not highlighted at various places. Employees are also humans, and they need to have that friendly push to bring good results.
To all the bosses out there, don’t be a villain boss who is feared, but a strict yet friendly leader who brings out the best in their team.
To all the employees out there, it’s a two way approach. Be kind to your fellow beings, together you can build a work place that you may call ‘second home’.
Choice is yours. What do you want to do? Which legacy do you want to leave behind?
Think about it.
References:
1. Lisa Tynan. Signs you are in a Toxic Work Environment and How to Handle it. TopResume. https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/how-to-handle-toxic-work-environment
2. Wang Z, Zaman S, Rasool SF, Zaman QU, Amin A. Exploring the Relationships Between a Toxic Workplace Environment, Workplace Stress, and Project Success with the Moderating Effect of Organizational Support: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2020 Aug 7;13:1055–1067. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S256155. PMID: 32821183; PMCID: PMC7423346.
