Is it just me, or am I reading more and more instances of toxic workplaces, bosses, and work cultures?

71 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 24,2021 at 5:35PM UTC

   1) we are more aware of it then are parents generation.

   2) the pandemic and remote work removed social cues that everyone needs to successfully communicate.

   3) way more focus on the bottom line and less on employee morale.

   4) mean girls and kingpins becoming bosses and bringing high school to the office

   5) failure to acknowledge that diversity goes beyond skin color, ethnicity, and LGBT status, allowing workers who are older, or larger be targeted.

2. JaneOctober 26,2021 at 3:10PM UTC

   I agree with the mean girls statement!! It’s almost a prerequisite to becoming a manager in many cases!

3. LauraOctober 24,2021 at 5:38PM UTC

   There's a Maya Angelou quote that I think of related to this..."Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." As workplaces begin to open their eyes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, I think the spotlight shines a little brighter on the the toxic environments, the inappropriate work cultures, etc. I think earlier generations just put up with a lot more. My dad (who is 91 now) came home from work with 'funny stories' that would get entire departments fired these days, because of bullying, racism, and sexism. There was far less protection for someone to speak up back then, and happily, that is changing. I perceive the increase in stories as the ugly coming out, so that we can know better, and do better.

4. AnonymousOctober 24,2021 at 5:53PM UTC

   Ditto. I have left two different workplaces in the last three years because of toxic environments.

   In some cases, I think the wrong people are being promoted into management. Not everyone is equipped to be a leader.

5. AnonymousOctober 24,2021 at 6:20PM UTC

   I know for fact that my boss isn’t cut out for his role. I’ve been told by co-workers and low key HR. They had to outside to hire someone to support him (me) and I didn’t find about it until a couple years later. Everyday I try to find another job but don’t want to take anything. It really starts at the top.

6. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 11:58AM UTC

   Agree 100%about the wrong people being promoted into management. At my former employer, people were promoted based on friendships or if they were the "last one standing " in their department. There was no real management training provided so leadership skills were non existent except for those who came in as managers.

7. Anne SweeneyOctober 24,2021 at 6:43PM UTC

   I think things are worse because back in the 50s and 60s there were fewer women in the workforce and very few in management. Today, despite #MeToo men continue to behave inappropriately and many female bosses just do not know how to manage and the Mean Girl Method is their first recourse. The only solution I see to a toxic environment is to quit. Just like a toxic relationship, it will not get better. These behaviors, up to and including violence, are too ingrained.

8. Angela RobinsonOctober 24,2021 at 6:47PM UTC

   You are right! I was just thinking the same thing. Before I sat down to this site, I realized most people I know dislike their job. Why is that? What has changed? It’s stressful because more is expected of employees than they can actually accomplish in a day (even by working overtime). In recent years, there has been a switch from customer-centered to production-centered work. The employee is penalized for their lack of production or quality. Customer service has suffered. Quality of work has suffered. The employee has suffered. Mgmt tries to balance this stress of expecting more than is feasible with work-life balance items, but the result is burn-out and the loss of great quality workers to retirement or other jobs.

9. Jackie RukaOctober 24,2021 at 7:00PM UTC

   Hi, this is not a trend but more of the after effect of the pandemic that has crescendoed to a point of no return. Over the past several years, work dissatisfaction has climbed where over 76% of employees are unhappy in their jobs, with hiring shortage, toxic work environments, low wages etc. burnout is high at 67% according to Indeed (2021) People are either quitting ( the great resignation, 3-4 M a month, it's unheard of) or looking for a position elsewhere, many are starting their own service or business. We are facing a new paradigm shift and how we work and live, it actually may be good for the economy and encourage a boost is happiness, overall.

10. AnonymousOctober 24,2021 at 10:33PM UTC

    There are a lot of toxic people out there both on the employer and employee side. The pandemic has brought out the worst in people I'm afraid.

11. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 12:21AM UTC

    For me in my current toxic workplace a lot of the time it’s not the job itself but the people who work there and how they have created the atmosphere. The job itself can be stressful and that’s to be expected of any job anyone ever works for but if the people you have to work with are not doing their job or abusing the workers they do have then that’s a red flag. It’s really sad

12. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 2:00PM UTC

    It's been my experience that it's less about where I worked or what job I held than who was my boss. When your boss trusts and respects you work is good when you get less than that, not so much. That hasn't changed over the course of my career. Also, it's never going to be perfect.

13. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 12:45PM UTC

    You sound toxic. Your response is not at all helpful. Using stereotypes and judgmental statements won't help anyone... This may be your personal experience, but it's unfair to spew hate with such blanket statements " They weren't taught discipline. They weren't taught consequences for their actions. They want it their way and their way only." Who is this 'they'. You're lumping in an entire generations with your opinions. It comes off as sour.
    ☮Peace & Love ❤

14. AnonymousOctober 25,2021 at 11:34PM UTC

    I'm just a few years older than you and I've seen some sh*t too. Going through more of it now. Tried talking to my parents about it and they're like oh well you gotta keep your head down and deal with it until you find something else. They're boomers, where dads worked 30-40 years and got the watch and most moms stayed home and those that had to work only did it until the last orthodontic or college tuition payment was made and then they bowed out.

15. Cindy LaceyOctober 26,2021 at 12:46PM UTC

    Just be careful about generalizing about baby boomers. Not all of us followed that route, which frankly no longer exists. I had many jobs and a couple of career changes. I also experienced bullying. I found most of the bullying came from people less competent who felt threatened by me.

16. Madam anon663October 26,2021 at 1:27PM UTC

    LOL what? I am a boomer and have no idea what you are talking about, none of my friends went that route and neither did I. That's nuts.

17. Kerry RoperOctober 26,2021 at 5:50PM UTC

    Your parents sound more like my grandparents. I know a FEW people who found their forever job right out of high school. Not saying they were not able to move up the ladder, but not nearly as fast as "job hopping" has allowed me and most other people. Most people don't know that their first job is going to be what they'll want to do all of their lives. Most businesses don't even last that long without either going out of business, or being purchased. Avoiding risk is for lean times. Times haven't been that lean for a while. Your parents simply don't want to hear that you're unhappy in the job you have, no parent likes to hear it, to them it means you might be either in "trouble" or "you'll end up "on the streets". My bf's parents, despite his solid work history, has owned his home for 14 yrs, and has not ever been without an income, however, his mother still jumps to insane conclusions like he'll most definitely be homeless and "on the street" if he "screws up this job". He's 51, has been working for MIT for three years, prior to a progressively intense IT career track. Not saying this is all parents, just the crazier ones.

18. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 3:37AM UTC

    Oof. This comment comes off reeking of insensitive cliches and serious lack of empathy. To paint everyone under the age of 40 with the same brush without considering the social and economic challenges that they have to deal with (that the older generations created and perpetuated) is just wrong. You might want to take a look within yourself and explore where that hate and polarized thinking is coming from. And maybe read a newspaper or a history book while you're at it.

19. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:27PM UTC

    I've posted here once about my toxic boss. I'm 46 and have been through many phases, leadership, a few jobs (like 3 in the past 15 years)........ So, please tell me how you can just blanket me in your rude @$$ "opinion"?

    I think the reason why there's so many posts is because we no longer want to put up with this crap! I've been at my company for 7 years and can't take the, my parents/dad worked somewhere for 40 years and got a watch ending......

    Let me guess, anonymous.... You're the same "woman" from a few weeks ago who loves to tear apart others because you think you've been through it all.

    You sound like so much fun to be around.

20. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:32PM UTC

    I'm an executive coach and can attest that the vast majority of my clients are dealing with bullying and toxic work environments.

    What I have noticed, in particular with my women clients, is that they are less willing to "suck it up". They know what they want, they know what they deserve, and they feel simultaneously demoralized and empowered. So instead of complaining to their friends or lying to themselves that this is "just how it is," they're taking action. They're challenging the status quo, standing up for equity and joining up with their women colleagues to shine a spotlight and work together for better outcomes for the whole.

    So perhaps that's why it feels more, it's no longer being swept under the rug. And essentially the ask is for systemic change, which is messy and disruptive and provokes a lot of resistance, causing some to be even more entrenched in their toxic behaviors in the moment. It takes tenacity to move a mountain.

    From my vantage, I see my clients staying true to themselves and their vision of work environments that work for everyone, which is incredibly inspiring and uplifting. And they are moving mountains!

21. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:34PM UTC

    I think more people are talking about it and don't want to put up with it. I also think the pandemic has brought out a lot companies who take better care of their employees and people are realizing this.

    I have a toxic boss. She's really fake and working with her has been stressful. One minute, things are great and can be the regular stress, then for 3 weeks every few months, I'm constantly defending my job, my results with no direction on why it's being asked. She constantly makes comments on why she's my boss to begin with. We are in separate departments and I'm the top of the chain for my department/role if breaking responsibilities up in silos. She's also been known to talk behind my back and others. The problem is that I barely have any support from her so I feel constantly knocked down.

22. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 4:55AM UTC

    I feel your pain. Sounds like my current nightmare.

23. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:38PM UTC

    Um no. In my early 20s and I'm always commented on my discipline and work ethic. Top performer here. Very independent. In fact, my older colleagues come to ME for help. Received a promotion in less than 2 years (first job out of college) and received 3 raises within that same timeframe. The workplace is toxic. Based on my experiences, some older women like to gossip and act as if they're high school. In fact, I was bullied by a group of older women at two different companies. They were jealous of someone half their age with their ish together. My youth was envied as well. Also, people may also leave their jobs because they feel stagnant and wish to grow. Plus, your salary will increase when leaving to go somewhere else. Please try again

24. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 1:47PM UTC

    Well, congrats on everything you have achieved! I sincerely mean that.

    That's great that you are not like the rest of your age group and generation. Oh, wait, I'm lumping you into the "trophy for everything" group.

    Sounds like you are at a company with a decent boss who has promoted you twice and leadership to back that up.

    What you are dealing with is toxic coworkers, which is so much easier to ignore than a toxic boss. A toxic boss would make your life miserable and not even look at what you have done for the company and suggest any kind of promotion. You cannot compare apples to oranges.

25. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 4:37PM UTC

    The other poster nailed it. You are only in your early 20's and have yet to really experience what a toxic workplace/boss is. Gossipy women (men can be too), no matter how old or young, will be everywhere you go. Check back with me in 20 years.

26. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 6:59PM UTC

    "Gossipy women (men can be too)...." No really? I think I know that. People (relatives, colleagues, etc) have talked about me my whole life. I've worked at 4 other companies (internships) before this as well. I have a gist of how corporate works.

27. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 7:09PM UTC

    But it doesn't have to just be in a corporate environment. Good luck to you, anonymous. I hope that you learn one day, not everyone is lumped into groups and that some of just are just trying to make it through the day with no control until something better comes along. There are some nasty people out there that do not belong in their positions. Hopefully when you become a Manager/above or have people under you, that you take all this and not be the same way. That is how I treat my direct reports. I have 9 with all sorts of different personalities. I pride myself in not being that toxic boss.

28. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 7:13PM UTC

    Why does every post you make sound like you have a major chip on your shoulders? You still have many years left to experience a toxic manager. Just because YOU have not experienced it YET, doesn't mean it's because of what type of worker YOU are.

29. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:38PM UTC

    Are you for real? I've worked my butt off and don't expect any handout or silver platter, let alone a government handout either. Most of my leadership team does not care about their employees and it shows. People are dropping like flies. I love how much insight and experience you have in this subject. I am guessing you must be 24? 25? With that type of thought about everyone over and under 40, you must not have real life experiences.

30. HannahOctober 26,2021 at 12:38PM UTC

    I noticed it too, I think more people are willing to talk about their experiences where it has been a norm in the past for people to put their head down and just work. Now, we are creating boundaries, new norms, and humanizing the workplace because we are not robots. Think about all the changes being made, remote, paternity time, more maternity time, mental health resources, balance, etc it's just a matter of time before the actual culture gets examined. I'm here for the dialogue. I have a YouTube channel where I share some of the things I have experienced because I want things to change.

    There are a ton of great folks who get mistreated by bullies at work who never grew up mentally. A lot of workplaces are like high-school where depending on whose table you sit at in the breakdown determines your workplace experience. The conversation has to take place so there is a cultural blueprint to take back to the workplace and standards can be raised. Every other part of the employee handbook is applied candidly but enforcing those pages that cover not coming to work and treating people poorly tends to dodged if the person doing wrong is liked more than the person being wronged.

31. HannahOctober 26,2021 at 12:44PM UTC

    I'm 38 and only won trophies I earned. I follow you on participation trophies being handed out.

    However, humanizing the workplace and making it less grueling is a win for everyone. Grin and bear it is not a healthy alternative to open dialogue about how mistreatment at work is debilitating. What you're talking about is the mindset of how things used to be when speaking up was punished and thats what your words convey.

32. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:49PM UTC

    Thanks for posting this question! I've just left two very toxic workplaces. In the first one my manager was so horrible to me that I filed a complaint with HR. They took me seriously, did a full investigation and guess what? They substantiated my complaint! This is a big deal since HR works to protect its own interests. And then....nothing! The head of that department just ignored the whole thing and my manager, who actually admitted to me that she knows she mistreated me, got away scott free and there were zero repercussions. And she had already abused many other employees before me. So I jumped at the chance when I was offered another job and guess what? My manager was just as toxic! I am close with colleagues from the first place and they were like, she sounds worse than the one who was so awful. I also tried working with HR at the new place but HR blamed me and it was so bad that I left without another job. My mother didn't understand and said why does this keep happening to me? It made me wonder if I am doing something wrong. But I really don't think so and I don't think that's productive. I am a good and hard worker. There is no reason for me to be mistreated. But I'm the one left in a vulnerable spot and you don't know when you take a job what the culture is like. A friend said to me, People don't leave companies, they leave people. I'm hoping my next job has a healthy culture. But the whole thing has left me rattled.

33. KelleyOctober 26,2021 at 12:51PM UTC

    I think for one reason or another the pandemic may have brought it more to light. With what’s going on, people are looking for more flexibility for their health and safety and though employers see what’s happening and that many jobs can be more flexible, it seems they want to stick to pre-pandemic ways rather than change with the times. I wonder if this is causing discomfort and anger on both side leading to more toxicity. Not sure if my thought process on this is accurate but I could see it being the case in at least some instances.

34. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 12:54PM UTC

    I think it has always been there, just not discussed as openly or often with as many people.

    OTOH, I think there are a lot more sensitive or angry people, who see slights, insults and agression when that wasn't the intent. Toxiciy is a two way street, sarcasam is in the eye of the beholder and not always intended to be an insult.

    Your parents didn't have the same experience because "back in the day" most everyone treated each other with some respect, there was a chain of command that was respected, even if not agreed with. You didn't yell at your co-worker or boss and smugly walk away. You could disagree with your work orders, but you did them or followed procedure to disagree. Now days, people yell at whoever they want and say horrible things. NO ONE does a thing about it. The days of being fired for bad behavior are long gone and that has only made things worse in business for everyone else.

35. Melissa NobileOctober 26,2021 at 12:58PM UTC

    I am a Secretary on a Board - have been for many years. We are not paid. We have worked as a team and been through a lot of challenges. We get a new member every year and our executive committee can turn over every year if someone wants to leave or if someone runs for the position. One of the 3 year At-Large positions turned over last January and we got one who thinks they are large and in charge. Team work? Nope - it’s all about that person. Toxic? You bet!
    I hit the wall and called them on the bad behavior. (Please note: it takes a lot to make me lose my cool.) As a busy volunteer, I don’t have time or energy to put up with crap like that. Know what I’ve heard from them since? Crickets. (I figure they will try to replace me at the next meeting.) That’s fine. At least now I can serve until the November meeting in peace.
    I think that if you don’t call people on their bad behavior, they aren’t going to change. If you don’t tell them you aren’t going to put up with it, they will continue to abuse you and everyone else.
    I tried to be nice. I tried to explain things rationally. That didn’t work… this person was like a steamroller. They refused to listen. Eventually, I felt I had no choice but to speak my mind. I’m glad I did. If anything, it lets this person know that steamrolling only makes them look like the jerk they are.

36. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 1:02PM UTC

    I have been in truly toxic places, and I have left. However, I have found these days everything is a slight, everything can be taken the wrong way. My current boss ,if pressure is high, can yell, snap, whatever. she will also be the first person to give you time off and not count it in vacation time if there is a death in the family. Think about it - do you get along with your family 24/7? If you are with ppl at least 8 hours a day there will be words. Again, that doesn't mean toxicity is ok. Some of my favorite bosses (and teaches for that matter) have been the harder ones. As long as they respect me and I can grow, I'm fine. I also enjoy joking around too. I do think the pandemic has made us look at our lives in a whole new way, so real toxicity, no. but I see things or read about things that really seem like nothing and people (esp younger people) may have problems coping with real life. People don't agre with each other all the time, ppl have different opinions. People also expect you to work hard in some professions. That's ok.

37. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 1:02PM UTC

    Again - toxicity is not ok and it is always ok to leave if you don't feel comfortable.

38. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 1:31PM UTC

    It’s not just you. I just left a very toxic environment where I filed an ethics complaint - actually two. And nothing happened. I just think people are recognizing it more & not willing to put up with it.

39. Kerry RoperOctober 26,2021 at 2:11PM UTC

    I'm a 53 year old woman and in my opinion, this is a result of (in no specific order) social media- the algorithm's response to ANY posts that will inspire conflict, those posts make it up to the front, AND the result of reality tv and the need for people to "speak their truth", going all the way back to Robert Downey Junior. Society is what it is. Your parents lived in a different world.

40. JaimeOctober 26,2021 at 2:17PM UTC

    I think our parents generation had the same issues we have, they just put their head down and ignored it and used unhealthy vices to get through it. I saw a lot of aggression, drinking/drugs or zoning out in front of the TV to cope. Our generation knows that these things aren't right, that there are a lot of other jobs out there and we're not staying at one to have a pension at the end of it because those don't exist anymore.

    I've had a toxic boss at a previous job and it was all documented with the store manager. When that store manager retired, the toxic manager went into the (unlocked) office and stole her disciplinary file. All the other managers files still had everything in them. I quit, and thankfully for my friends who are still there, this manager left (to accept my position but at another store) where I'm sure she's still reigning terror even though she's no longer a manager.

41. Huong Nguyen-ValleOctober 26,2021 at 5:20PM UTC

    With social media and forums like this, it is giving us all an opportunity to voice our opinions and vent about our work, and that is why it is showing up more. I also believe that since COVID happened, we do not allow ourselves to put up with more crap because life is previous and we know what we want and do not want to deal with.

42. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 6:08PM UTC

    I want to point out that MY Generation, the Gen Exers- are probably the biggest reason that "participation trophies" even EXIST, "my son Kenny deserves a trophy like everyone else!"
    So, as for the whole generation of overly over-sensitives, much of it is our own fault. IF we had the balls to raise our kids in a REALITY based world, maybe they wouldn't think that life is supposed to be fair or if they "do what you love, the money will follow" bullsh#*....? That is NOT real life, people who think everything is supposed to be equitable and fair are in for a very rude awakening, and I feel most sorry for their GenX parents, bc that's ultimately where these disillusioned kids wind up, back home, unable to fend for themselves.

43. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 7:22PM UTC

    What about the toxic employee? For years I had a team member who was incredibly difficult to manage and with no real support from HR I eventually left.

44. Rebecca SteigerOctober 26,2021 at 7:58PM UTC

    I am 61 years old. Yes, there is an increase in what is allowed in human behavior. Poor interpersonal / relational skills have always been a factor but now the boundaries of behavior have expanded from covert to overt. In the election debate between Trump & Clinton: Who accepts a Presidential candidate that calls a female opponent, " A Nasty Woman" and implies that Immigrants are a basis for what troubles America.
    Our culture is toxic, our values are toxic. It is time to drain the swamp by not following the culture. We all know what doing the right thing is, its just hard doing it.

45. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 8:12PM UTC

    I've found that work cultures don't police behavior that well. I have not worked for toxic bosses or managers but I have worked with a ton of toxic coworkers that came to work to act out their anger and frustration and mental illness in the work place. It was outrageous to witness as these people managed to rule the atmosphere in the office. They felt entitled to work out their life's disappointments and try and make everyone as miserable as their were. This happened at several companies and not once did HR step in more than a random writeup here and there. I left each of these companies so disheartened.

46. AnonymousOctober 26,2021 at 8:14PM UTC

    I think there are a LOT of toxic work environments, and there were just as many in our parents/grandparents times, they just didn't talk about it.

    Now that we, as a society, are learning to say NO MORE, it's coming out more, and we're able to foster the environments that we want to be in.

47. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 1:53AM UTC

    So true, when my great aunt was alive, I would sometimes call her, complaining about problems at work. The first time I called her, she started laughing. She stated she wasn't laughing at me, but the fact that women want to get ahead, but sometimes do this at the expense of other women. She stated that when she was working, she preferred a male boss over a female boss for this reason. She was laughing because all these years later, nothing has changed!

48. Anne SweeneyOctober 26,2021 at 8:15PM UTC

    I think there is an elephant in the room here and it's female. I began working in the corporate world in the 80s and while sexual harassment was certainly a problem, I would have to say that over the years, I have found women to be more unsupportive, devious and and difficult towards other women. No one likes to hear this but I saw this in business, volunteer activities and even (or especially) in the Women's Movement. I think it is due to jealousy, insecurity and immaturity - some Mean Girls never left Middle School. Yes, I am older, things have changed, but if there has been real progress, why are so many of us writing in about this problem? I do not mean to suggest that men can't be toxic bosses - but I do wonder how many of the managers listed here are women? And since many complain about HR not supporting them, isn't that a female dominated field?

49. TOctober 26,2021 at 11:51PM UTC

    I support your entire statement

50. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 12:05AM UTC

    I completely agree. I was bullied, gaslit, etc. by a woman at my last permanent role. I took a contract role after that and was termed early because, as I believe, the female manager I was reporting to, felt threatened by my intelligence, creativity, and my high energy.

51. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 2:22AM UTC

    I'm dealing with this issue right now. The woman I report to, who has also been in charge of training me the last three months, was nice at first and then soon after became hypercritical, and bounces between indifference towards me and finding fault with most things I do . Turns out she did the same exact thing to the last (at least) 2 people in my position. But its a state job so she's not going anywhere. I'm looking for a new position before I leave but I'm giving notice shortly either way. Life's too short to deal with this crap.

52. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 4:49AM UTC

    Yes. The Mean Girl/ Queen Bee syndrome is alive.

    I work with one of those and I can’t stand it.

53. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 7:22AM UTC

    Sadly I have to agree with you. It is easier to deal with a man than a women, and I’m not saying this lightly. I find this very sad. I thought once I got out of school it would be different, the only difference is they are more viscous. I have to make clear NOT ALL WOMEN but a good percentage.

54. Angie MartinOctober 26,2021 at 8:59PM UTC

    I think people are more aware nowadays and less willing to accept environments that are substandard.

55. TOctober 26,2021 at 11:50PM UTC

    Thank you for writing this. I’m in this toxic environment. I feel stuck. It’s like days of our lives and I dread going into work sing day. I know I need to make a move because I can’t live like this. But it’s the money. And I’ll have to start over and is the grass even greener on the other side? No, it’s green where you water it, you know?

56. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 4:11AM UTC

    Same situation, I'm working on a plan to resign by year end. I don't care if I have to take a pay cut and start over, I can't deal with it anymore. It's like being in an abusive relationship.

57. Lady balanceisgood1October 27,2021 at 11:35AM UTC

    Don't waste another day and start looking. It will NOT change. I just left a toxic environment and I will never spend another day dealing with that. It literally made me sick.

58. Priyanka PakkiOctober 27,2021 at 12:21AM UTC

    I believe there is more competition these days because of which co-workers undermine others, managers don't want to get involved.

59. Kayla KellettOctober 27,2021 at 12:27AM UTC

    Yes, workplaces are becoming more toxic especially during these times where it is an employers market. As more positions have been lost due to business closures, there are more people looking for work. Businesses and managers are seeing that there are now so many new candidates to choose from and have the attitude of ‘there’s the door’. I am also seeing more and more managers who have come fresh from a management degree, not understanding how a company works or how the staff work. They come in wielding their degree but are clueless and devoid of any kind of thought/care for the staff. And as someone else has mentioned, women in management who think it is perfectly fine to perpetuate her lead ‘nasty girl’ persona from school. This is the kind of manager I currently have and am now desperately trying to get away from, again.

60. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 5:04AM UTC

    In my personal experience, PR agencies have been some of the most toxic work environments. Long hours (often without fair compensation), bullying, questionable management practices, etc. I have switched to a corporate setting and it is a lot better now, but I’m sure every company has toxic people that can make certain teammates’ experiences an unpleasant one.

61. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 7:17AM UTC

    In my experience workplaces have consistently become more and more toxic, and it is harder to see that in the interviews.

62. Lady balanceisgood1October 27,2021 at 11:30AM UTC

    I just left a toxic work environment in September. My manager was retaliating against me after getting caught with another employee bashing me. I reported the retaliation to my senior manager, a female, she did nothing. I quit. I don't think it's more prevalent, I just think people aren't tolerating it anymore due to the stress of the last few years with Covid. The US is one of the only countries in the World that has zero laws against bullying in the workplace. It disgusts me what employers can get away with.

63. LindawerOctober 27,2021 at 12:39PM UTC

    Maybe. But I think part of it is people feel free to talk about it.

64. LindawerOctober 27,2021 at 12:42PM UTC

    I found one way to stop someone was to tell them I’m working on a novel. No one wants to be the Cruella in your novel.

65. Sally HOctober 27,2021 at 12:52PM UTC

    Sounds exactly like my last job

66. Kimberly WorrickOctober 27,2021 at 1:37PM UTC

    I actually had a conversation with my manager about this. We use MS Teams to communicate since we are all remote now (medical billing) and I brought up the subject of snotty snarky replies to questions and she admitted to being snotty and snarky deliberately to stop questions. I said I felt this was unprofessional and got a 'get used to it' response. So I am, I am also taking some courses to add skills as I search for another remote position, I love working from home, where the culture is far more respectful. Workplace toxicity has begun to be a much bigger problem with remote environments and things are said online which would never have been said in an office.

67. JamiOctober 27,2021 at 1:54PM UTC

    I feel like workplace toxicity has always been there, and that maybe people just have less tolerance for it now. Maybe now it is more "petty" toxicity and micro-aggressions, versus in past generations there was more physical danger (early Industrial age/factory work) and blatant racism-sexism (mid-century through 80s).

68. AnonymousOctober 27,2021 at 1:55PM UTC

    I believe the toxicity has grown in healthcare. I have worked as an RN for 5 plus years in an gastroenterology office. I recently quit my job that I loved due to workplace bullying. A MOA in the office was constantly picking on employees. I went to my office Adminstrator about the toxic behavior asking for help to resolve the MOAs toxic behavior to all employees. The office Adminstrator stated that the ones who complain are the problem. After trying to get help for myself and others I was targeted by my office Adminstrator. She would call me into her office on a daily basis pointing out my faults. I tried to stay to myself, do my job and go home, but it didn’t help. I have never had any conflicts with any of my bosses or coworkers. Due to the daily harassment by my Adminstrator, I put in my two weeks notice on a Friday. The next Monday I got called into the office for my “daily beating” and was told by my Adminstrator that she can not wait for me to leave. I went back to my desk and packed my things. I proceeded to HR and advised that I was leaving and this will be my last day. My HR supervisor had tears asking me to stay. I advised of the daily criticism, the daily put downs and I just couldn’t do it any longer. My HR supervisor stated the the Adminstrator is new, has only been at our office for 4 weeks. She just doesn’t understand, she’s still learning. I advised that I just can’t stay where I’m not appreciated and left. 5 years were gone, and I’m so sad about leaving, but I know it’s for the best.

69. Cassandra SchmigotzkiOctober 27,2021 at 2:22PM UTC

    I think it's always been there but we're just now recognizing it. We're getting into self care so we're stepping back and saying "wait a minute" to things that aren't quite right.

70. Peggy PetersonOctober 27,2021 at 11:14PM UTC

    It's always been there, I think that people are more comfortable talking about it now. The reason I retired wasn't that I was tired or felt too old, it was because of the politics and the toxic environment. I had managers that wanted to hold "team-building" sessions after 5 p.m. and at places like Hooter's. I know it's just a "me" thing, but I don't go to bars. The truth about corporate life in America is finally coming to the surface.

71. DanielleOctober 28,2021 at 6:08AM UTC

    I recently read an article on why people seem to be more rude lately. As a retail employee, I can attest to the massive change in attitude.

    Let me preface this next part by saying this isn’t political just observations. Okay, here we go. For the past year and a half, we’ve been cooped up by ourselves. Humans are social creatures. Compile that with generations that feel like they’re being controlled and voila! A recipe for disaster. I literally watched a man the other day punch someone’s drivers side window in a parking lot. That’s irrational, no matter the circumstance.

    As an elder millennial, I’m terrified of what I might encounter and for the latter generations.