Toxic Work Environments:

65 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 5:49PM UTC

   Hr managers colluding with exco, lies, gossiping, tribal politics, racism, sexism, cheating whilst at the office, back dating documents, lies, corruption, golf club members getting promoted, psychological manipulation

2. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 6:16PM UTC

   I define it as a situation I would not post on a website.

3. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 6:25PM UTC

   I had to really think about this one for a bit, starting with removing my (evil) HR hat.

   Instead of giving you my example of a toxic workplace, I will just share my example: Years ago, nearly two decades now, I worked for an individual that...well...I referred to as Satan. He was the worst. And his head minion was just as bad. In his eyes, most of us could do no right. For example: whenever someone screwed up, he would call us all into his office, berate the person that screwed up in front of all of us (while not look at the person that screwed up), expect us to be mind readers, etc. I found out after I started that the entire department had turned over within months of me starting. Everyone inside and outside knew what kind of manager he was. I ended up walking off the job after his minion berated me for something entirely trivial. The last several months I worked there, I lost weight, lost sleep (and if I did sleep, I was combative), very unhappy, and just all around miserable. Next job I went to, while I interviewing, hiring manager said, I see who you worked for before, no need to explain why you left.

   After that experience, I learned what I would and would not put up with. I learned to stick up for myself

4. MislynMarch 1,2024 at 7:27PM UTC

   Oh this all sounds so familiar. My last job was the worst. I had two bosses and they couldn’t stand each other. They always complained to me about the other person. All the employees were always miserable and couldn’t stand the boss. He charmed me at first then he totally sabotaged me towards the end. He would constantly talk bad about my work ethics behind my back and say I was to involved in my family and needed too much time off. That was not true I never took off work. He should have been more involved in his family and not out trying to charm the pants off of every woman he saw. He was a complete egotistical narcissistic prick and boy everything that came out of his mouth was a lie. He lied about everything and everyone and started rumors throughout the company. I had to get out to save my sanity. Women need a red flag warning book when dealing with these type of people. You don’t know toxic until you live it.

5. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 7:24PM UTC

   My previous employer was toxic for the sheer fact that he would call/text me non-stop.
   Once he told me we were "like a couple sitting on a couch away from each other and if I won't tell him what's wrong he can't fix it" because I had emailed him and his partner that I was unhappy with a decision made regarding the employees and their pay. He was upset I hadn't reached out to him specifically when he thought we had "such good communication" when he would compare me to his ex-wife when I would ask about expenses and what we could purchase for the business. It was my first salary job and first role in management under new owners when I had already been employed there for 3+ years previously before they came into the picture. I told myself I would stay for 1 whole year and if I still hated it I would quit. In that year (year 4 of working there) I worked 60+ hour weeks for a salary not worth 40 hour weeks, watched while two of my male coworkers received raises without asking while I assisted with roles and tasks that weren't my responsibility. I once took a day off due to dental surgery and when I said I wouldn't be able to return the next day due to bleeding and swelling I was asked "how many more teeth do you plan on losing before you have none left in your mouth?" & I APOLOGIZED because I felt like I was letting people down. I eventually found a part-time seasonal job to work after hours and was offered full-time employment by a wonderful manager who heard how I was treated at my other job and he told me how wrong everything was and how I needed to quit. It took someone else advocating for me before I realized I was being treated so poorly. Oddly enough I was offered a raise when I put in my two weeks notice. Pure Toxic.

6. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 7:43PM UTC

   The last few places I have been have been have been toxic and degrading.

   Where I am now in a manufacturing job that requires 3 people, 1 at each end of the machine and an Operator. The good workers are forced to work with people that expect you to help them and they don't help you. They are constantly on the phone texting or scrolling whatever, wandering off for multiple breaks making it near impossible to get your 3 breaks in on a 12 hour shift.

   Before that was the same thing different company. The leads and Supervisor were friends and they would just leave and go sleep in their cars for hours, come back in after "smoking" not cigarettes and do nothing. They is probably why they closed their 3rd shift. It was the prisoners running the jail

   Before that I worked in offices for over 20 yrs.

   I left a job I maybe shouldn't have. I was head hunted to an HVAC company to do their billing and collections. It was a husband and wife operation. The wife was doing the job and wanted to off load this to someone else. They were 8 months behind in billing and collections. The job came with a $5 an hour raise, they matched what I had for time of and my own office.

   I was able to get them caught up with billing and got the majority of the collections paid in 6 weeks. Once this was achieved the wife started to come up with bs excuses of things that were an issue. Which I proved to the husband (real owner) as false. As I figured though, the wife let me go saying she did not think it was going to work out. I spoke with the husband about what was accomplished since I started she just blurted it out and then left for the day like a child.

   I figure he would not go against his wife even with proof of what was done and why it was so behind to begin with. I spent most of my day chasing her around the building as she was always out talking to the guys and smoking. If she had put that much effort into the job she would not have been behind in the first place.

   Just a few examples of toxic environments...

7. Terry CostelloMarch 1,2024 at 7:45PM UTC

   I’ve been discriminated against, by my former supervisor. He would have his crew go to training for the newest equipment and technology, but would deny me the opportunity. He would assign me all the grunt work that came in through the work order system. IE: Setting up the tables and chairs for meetings. But not run the H/O A/V equipment.

   he would have me go around the 100,000 sq ft campus and sweep up goose poop.

   I have a hard time learning things the first time. But after the second time I can do the task at hand.

   I’ve always thought about suing the company for a hostile workplace and discrimination. This all took place between 1990 and 2005.

8. Kimberley Ferretti HammettMarch 1,2024 at 8:52PM UTC

   Great discussion topic! This could go so many ways.

   To me, "toxic" means poisoned so as a work environment that would mean it is a place where most employees, despite their best efforts, could not thrive or possibly even succeed without harming themselves or others.

   I will say I think "Toxic Work Environment" gets labeled where there is toxicity, but maybe not the general environment. There may be one toxic relationship where, if removed, would leave the environment and system "clean" and back to positive working order. There could also be situations where the work environment is "toxic for me" but not necessarily the majority (kinda like a peanut allergy.. it can kill innocent people but is perfectly healthy and enjoyable for majority).

   Very commonly, when I see something labeled as toxic that I disagree with, it's an over exaggeration of being displeased. Like someone not being allergic to cilantro, but really hating the taste. Where it gets blurry is when they become so affected by their displeasure that it impacts their mental health. That's where I go back my definition of "most people" being unable to thrive or succeed. That individual likely has a personal situation which is making it toxic to them, but it doesn't make it toxic in general which would demand change.

9. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 9:27PM UTC

   This is one of the most overused words right now. It runs on a spectrum and is highly subjective.

10. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 3:36PM UTC

    it's not overused, the fact that you feel the need to point that out means you litterally have no point and YOU are the only one being HIGHLY subjective. i have a co-worker who likes to act like my boss when she is most certainly not , she makes nasty `'comments`about my work, when clearly i have told her how to fix these minor issues and she just needs to go cry to the manager instead of listening and actually doing her job right. YES , that iS toxic. i am lucky i still have my job , if i had a a nasty manager she would have prob won. but my manager knows very well this person should not be playing boss with me. i am 43 years old and will not put up with such BS. so stop with the snowflake narrative. we all just want people to do their jobs and shut up about imaginary issues that are very easy to work with. peole who go cry to the boss at every little issue should work on themselves instead of brining people down.

11. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 9:31PM UTC

    I've worked in fulfilling roles that I loved and toxic work environments that comprised my self worth. What I classify as toxic is having a manager who is impossible to please, demeans his / her staff, a company that discriminates against minorities and where the revolving door of employees is higher out than in due to their treatment. Everyone's definition is different but having a boss that constantly undermines and is setting the employee up to fail takes a toll on self worth and creates a toxic work environment. Feeling sick even thinking about going into the office is not a rough day but a common occurrence.

12. AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 11:30PM UTC

    Drama filled employees, and EXTREMELY disorganized employers

13. AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 4:21PM UTC

    I had a boss who originally I had a good relationship with but then I made some mistakes and she started yelling at me and I could she she was trying to get me to leave. My team members pulled away from me becoase they were worried she would do the same to them if they continued to support me. I had many tear filled days with panic attacks

14. Stephanie Branch LekowskiMarch 5,2024 at 2:32PM UTC

    Wow. So sorry you had to go through that. And your so-called team members have apparently forgot they're not in middle or high school.

15. AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 5:17PM UTC

    Great topic of discussion! Here is my two cents on the subject.

    I have worked in jobs that I loved where the environment and culture was not perfect. What made these roles so great was the teammates and coworkers who respected and valued me for what I brought to the table. I had great leaders who also valued me even if they were not the most wonderful at having a great culture. Somewhere along the leadership chain there were great leaders and that helped even out the times that my direct leaders were not so great.

    Toxic environments are those in which the leadership chain has more misaligned and narcissistic people who mistreat, mislead and gaslight their team members. What good leaders may exist are overshadowed by these types. When your company is overrun by toxic people at the top, that just trickles down to the front line and then you have teammates and coworkers who are disrespectful and treat each other in a manner that results in a dog eat dog environment.

    I am getting too old to deal with toxic environments and have elected to be more selective in who I work for.

16. AnonymousMarch 2,2024 at 9:16PM UTC

    I was working at a great place until new management came in.
    I had been going through a divorce and she was VERY religious and thought my divorce of my abusive husband was unethical and I needed help so she fired me.

    Had nothing to do with my work ethic there. I was their ONLY accountant.

17. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 1:38PM UTC

    I am so sorry. I hope you've foundd a better home. Her religion did not belong in your workplace.

18. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 2:47PM UTC

    It all worked out. Happened later- years later- elsewhere for an interview. I'm not married, no wedding band. Interviewer mentioned "life and religion " (completely illegal) and said despite my experiences and qualifications, mother and unmarried was a flat NO.

    Her loss. I'd HATE working for her anyway!!!!!

19. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 12:33AM UTC

    One where professional boundaries are not maintained. I work in veterinary medicine and every assistant that has been cleaning cages for a month thinks they know as much as the veterinarians. Second guess, undermine, tell clients the wrong things, make bad judgement calls resulting in patient deaths. There is no authority that regulates veterinary hospitals, only the licensed veterinarians and licensed technicians are regulated. It's a free-for-all.

20. Melanie WallaceMarch 3,2024 at 7:35AM UTC

    One that makes you dread going to the only place you have loved for years. I work in a very hostile environment. I am a Line Cook in an long time established restaurant. Recently, July of 2023, a new kitchen manager was hired. This girl is the absolute worst "manager" I have ever had the misfortune to work under.

    First, she is still in college for business management. I am starting to wonder what is actually taught in those classes. I am a 10+ year experienced manager of multi-million dollar companies. However; my experience comes from moving up the ranks through work experience. I learned the legal aspects through other managers that I worked closely with.

    Second, the restaurant is privately owned. She somehow thinks that the business laws do not apply to that type of company.

    Ever work for someone who told you how to do your job, but never does it themselves? Yeah, that is the third issue we are having.

    Next, she thinks she knows that "best way" to do things and if they aren't done "her" way, it is wrong. We won't discuss that the restaurant has been open and serving for 40 years before she came into the picture.

    She hired her wife and promoted her over people who have been waiting for a promotion for years! She took away everyone's overtime, now only her and her wife have overtime. She has fired everyone who doesn't agree with her. She runs double standards, misinformation, disinformation, or NO communication at all. She has favorites that will do special favors for her and they do not have to adhere to the "rules of her kitchen".

    I went from 40+ hours a week to less than 25 and there is nothing I can do about it because ARIZONA is a "Right to Work" state? THAT is how a hostile environment is created and sustained.

    I have to move to find descent work. This right to work crap is just another way to get away with bad business, and there is A LOT of bad business in AZ.

    I am filing a discrimination claim, but I don't know what else to do.

21. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 1:34PM UTC

    I just left a toxic workplace. I was thrown into a role I didn't even apply for. I was provided no training except a manual. I was constantly berated for small mistakes, or for not completing tasks I didn't even know I was supposed to do. The Marie Antoinette of the office would set a precedent, I would follow the precedent, and then get yelled at for it. She kept pushing more and more work on me, while she scrolled FB for half the day. If she did have to actually help with something, it came with a performance worthy of an award. She constantly made comments about immigrants, and listened to offensive material, including sexually explicit material. The owner knew of her behavior, and let her get away with it. I started having cardiac anxiety at the thought of going to work. It was awful.

22. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

    Excellent discussion topic.

    To me, there are several characteristics of a toxic workplace. I have worked in several I consider thus.

    It begins with their expectations. Any role that expects FT effort while failing to provide living wages and benefits is toxic. Obviously, there are gray areas. For example, if the employee resides in a HCOL area and the employer is based in a much lower one, issues can arise. But the conversation about what’s necessary for happiness and a reasonable work/life balance should be open and 2-way, and employers should be transparent about what they can offer. Most FT employers expect the occasional sacrifice like working OT. That creates conflicts when people have to work more than one job to meet their needs. Few things sting like getting let go for failure to go above and beyond when doing so means you literally lose your lifeline to food (that extra income from your side hustle/s).

    Furthermore, employers should be transparent about advancement opportunities. I have been in so many situations where “the sky was the limit,” but realistically, you’ll remain in the same role forever.

    On the job, allowing toxicity to continue. Being verbally abusive. Failing to properly train and then berating you when you don’t understand what to do or make a mistake. Allowing an atmosphere where a few favorites take credit for everyone else’s work. Overlooking the hard workers who don’t brag about their accomplishments only to promote the office social butterfly. And generally making life harder than it needs to be. There’s no reason, for example, to write up a worker for leaving early to pick up a sick kid, but corporations do it all the time. Businesses need to realize they are a part of the social fabric, not separate from it. This whole work world got toxic AF when Reagan changed the tax code. Providing jobs, good jobs, used to be honorable, doing your part to keep society going. Now? Employers are only incentivized to enrich shareholders, employees are nothing but a liability on the balance sheet, and we all feel the effects unless we’re lucky enough to live on our investments. And corporations pushed for many of the tax law changes that made present society not good. They need to lead the way in restoring the social fabric. It begins with creating healthy workplaces centered around human needs, not just profits.

23. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 2:29PM UTC

    I'll add letting incompetent "office pets" boss an employee around on behalf of a manager or supervisor. Blowing up their phones and/or sending e-mails "Where's so-and-so's proposal, motion, what's the progress on fill-in-the-blank?" Any resistance is met with the targeted employee being scolded or bullied.

24. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 2:23PM UTC

    You know how one person’s trash is another person’s treasure? A toxic work environment can be like that. There are some things that are objectively toxic, like a bad boss, a bullying coworker, or an unsupportive culture, but some of it is subjective because everyone is different.

    I recently left a position where I had a great boss and worked on a wonderful team in a company with a very supportive culture, but the work I was doing consumed my life. I was managing a project with folks outside of my team, and a couple of them were difficult to work with because their uncooperative, laid back approach to the work made it very hard for me to do my job.

    In addition to this, I was dealing with family medical issues, and I was in complete denial about the burnout I was experiencing, in a constant state of anxiety and running on adrenaline. It took me being on the verge of a complete mental breakdown to realize it wasn’t going to get any better anytime soon, and that’s when I left.

    On paper, it was a great job and a great place to work, but the situation made it toxic. It was a combination of severely clashing personalities and family issues that made it toxic for me. Sometimes it’s a matter of timing.

25. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 2:44PM UTC

    Well said!

26. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

    A few things I’ve noticed in toxic work environments are:

    targeting employees who speak up and disagree with management

    not being clear about expectations and then berating your employees for not doing it correctly.

    rewarding employees who brown nose over hardworking employees.

    disorganized work processes and a lack of training

    lack of transparency and inability to give honest answers.

    telling employees their job is safe and a few weeks later laying them off due to performance issues.

    also having to act happy and satisfied when you truly are not.

    Using pips to control an employee or fire an employee you do not like based on personal feelings that have nothing to do with work ethic.

    yelling at employees who make mistakes instead of talking to them with respect

    taking your frustration out on you staff when it has nothing to do with them.

    not allowing staff to take time off when needed with a guilt trip.

    monitoring employees emails, calls and time on line daily just because also monitoring an employees social media daily without cause.

    asking employees to silicate funds for the company from their networks or reach out to organizations they are affiliated with for partnerships and funds.

    I probably have more but I will stop here…

27. AnonymousMarch 3,2024 at 5:54PM UTC

    I had 2 roles that had clear red flags you can look out for that for me, scream “toxic” ☠️
    CEO worship. It’s normal for a CEO to command a higher level of respect and attention. But things would get blatantly political and even weird. 2 of my colleagues would regularly “casually” let it slip that they play golf with the CEO on the weekends - this happened within my first week of being at the org. I also remember when it was the CEO’s birthday and the company-wide meeting (an hour long one) had multiple people giving speeches about how great he is, how a bunch of people contributed to get him a gift - this was a normal birthday mind you. Nobody else got even close to that much attention for their birthday. Weird.
    After you receive praise from (and to) leadership for a great job you did on something - that you worked extremely hard on - your manager pushing you to “do less”. A culture that makes people want to push you down when you shine - even if it’s in the org’s best interest for you to shine - is TOXIC.
    Forced positivity. I had one CEO who would force everyone every week to say what they were “excited” about - even after more than half the company had been axed. Normal to have weekly updates about projects, etc. But “excited”? Whenever someone questioned how we would execute his ideas - things that had been tried numerous times and failed - we (always women) would be called “negative.” This CEO would also blatantly ignore serious problems that resulted in people quitting - including one woman right before she was about to get company maternity leave. Tread carefully.
    Unwarranted praise / deliberately withheld praise. People who do far too little useful work getting far too much praise and objectively incompetent people being celebrated. This was a symptom of a CEO’s sexism but it can happen in any context. It was also part of his outright refusal to acknowledge that he relied on me and one other colleague heavily and would suffer greatly without us. Being unable to garner appreciation for actual work and results due to favoritism/denial is TOXIC.
    Not necessarily toxic in and of itself, but far too many (or too long) meetings to “connect with stakeholders.” Too much emphasis on internal relationship building - not completing concrete projects or achieving goals. I didn’t always see this as a problem but then I joined an amazing company that doesn’t flood my calendar with meetings, embraces 15-minute meetings, and where people won’t even take a meeting if the purpose and expected outcome aren’t explicitly clear.

    Hope this helps!

28. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 1:01AM UTC

    I was harassed on a daily basis because I happen to have multiple physical disabilities by both management and non-management employees to the point I was having multiple panic and anxiety attacks while I was at work because of the harassment. I'd definitely would consider that a hostile work environment, because they knew what was happening and I had repeatedly asked them to stop, and they continued the harassment and some of my harassers even harassed me more because I asked them to politely stop harassing me.

    I don't work there anymore because they wrongfully terminated me due to being disabled, I eventually received an put of court settlement against my former employer with the EEOC and used the funds to start my own small business where I'm much happier now.

29. MislynMarch 4,2024 at 4:48AM UTC

    I know I have commented on this post but just wanted to clarify better. My toxic boss came to my place of work and basically offered me a job. When I went home and told my husband I had someone come in and offer me a job he said wow that sounds pretty strange. To me I was excited because it was better pay and better benefits. I ended up taking the job and it went great for a few months. He slowly began adding things that were not involved in the job agreement. He also started getting really involved in my personal life and I thought okay were friends and he’s just cares about me as a person. Wrong! He was a creep always lingering around me wanting to know everything about me and my family. He would question me every Monday when I am back to work about my weekend like he wanted to know everything I had done.He would message me on my family vacations to see if I was having a good time. I started to get some really weird feeling so I asked my friends and family. They agreed it was very strang for a boss to act like this. They all said he wanted more out of the relationship. Then I talked to my other boss(business partners) and he agreed it was weird and that he thought my boss was catching feeling. I also talked to his wife and daughter while I was working for them and they say ya he’s a creep he loves when women fawn after him and he’s very manipulative and abusive. The more I was told the more I looked out for. This guy ended up ruining my marriage and my life. Everything about him seemed so normal at first. He had a family he even had grandkids. They came and would visit at the office so I never thought anything about it. Then I thought wow I’ve been he almost two years and his wife has been here maybe four times. Very odd if she’s involved at all in his life. Come to find out she knew he was a creep and really had nothing much to do with him. His kids obviously did because he had money and boy did he love to tell you about it. I ended up having a meeting with my family and even one of my daughters said yes when I was at the office I thought he acted very flirty with you other family members that had meet him said yes he’s definitely one that wants his ego stroked and wants to be notice. I was finally able to get out of that very toxic environment thanks to my family for seeing what I wasn’t seeing. I just want people to know if it seems odd it probably is. Don’t risk your family for a job like I did. I was promised the moon and stars and was given nothing but stress, anxiety and depression. I lost it all because of an egotistical self absorbed man that promised me a great life. He famous saying was we are gonna have a great y life and grow this business together You and I are going to have everything.. HahahaIf you see red flags run. I wish I would have listened to my ex-husband, ex (thanks to him) family and my other boss and his family that thought he was a creep. When my other bosses wife told me she grew up with him and that he was a woman beater and though he was better then everyone. I began to put two and two together. No wonder his wife doesn’t come in he runs around flirting with anyone who will show him attention including trashy women who rent houses from him. Live and learn and stay away from narcissistic a$$holes. I hope I can help just one person see the signs of workplace abuse . It’s real and it can happen to you. Toxic people are everywhere and you need to stay on guard and listen to people around you.

30. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 2:18PM UTC

    But, how did he have the power to ruin your marriage?

31. MislynMarch 4,2024 at 7:31PM UTC

    Marriage is not easy when your husband obviously thinks your boss comes before him. I realize it now that it was very strange that I would get text messages from my boss while he knew I was on a family vacation to work on my marriage. That bothered my husband and I thought nothing about it because we talked everyday about everything. I thought we were just very good friends. Just lots of different red flags I ignored plus his constant need for attention and affection. I wish I would have seen it from my husbands (ex’s)point of view then. I needed my job I made decent money the whole package was good. I just didn’t realize I was being used and taken advantage of by a creep. There was a lot going on and at the time I just couldn’t handle the emotional stress and gave up.

32. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

    My short-lived workplace felt like I was in a psychological thriller movie. Small company, controlling leader who needled each and every employee, one by one, with utter disrespect. Toddler temper who smashed a door closed behind me. Low morale, high turnover. Can't fix that.

33. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    Psycho thriller movie. Yes, ma'am, I know that movie very well.

34. MislynMarch 26,2024 at 7:13PM UTC

    yep I’ve been there. Hopefully you found a new job?

35. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 2:42PM UTC

    Unfortunately, I've had toxic managers and toxic workplaces. They are different.

    My various toxic managers:

    • Narcissists that run hot and cold--Get verbally beat up on minute and the next be a star performer.
    • Control freaks--No thinking or opinions allow other than theirs.

    Toxic environments:

    • Gossipy
    • Someone out there always willing to report your smallest mistake to your manager; backstabbing
    • NO training or onboarding
    • NO idea of expectations

    I hope I'm free of toxic people and workplaces, fingers crossed!

36. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 2:43PM UTC

    1) failure to provide any guidance or training to new employees and expect “expert” performance on the fly 2) bosses that say one thing then say they didn’t 3) managers micro-managing their employees and having them account for every second of their day 4) managers that use their personal feeling to gaslight or falsely accuse their employees that they donot like 5) coworkers that gossip or abuse others either sexually or morally 5) tolerance for discrimination and prejudice 6) lack of regard for work life balance 7) managers who can’t speak intelligently but choose to yell at their employees - especially in front of others…. And the list goes on.

37. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

    Spot on. I work in a toxic environment, where people all have 20+ years tenure and bully all the new hires expecting excellence on day one. They have completely forgotten what it's like to be new. Literally my first month, of my director role, I was asked "where is my three-year strategy and roadmap?". A few weeks later when I presented some solid ideas, the only comment I received during the presentation was "you spelled that persons name wrong, it's an I not an E".

38. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 2:45PM UTC

    toxic work environment to me is when you are harassed on a daily basis, singled out, your mistakes while learning the job are mocked on and shown to all your co workers. I was excited when I was offered my first job in the field of my study with a big major hospital. It was a low paying job, but I wanted the experience. Packed my bags and moved 16 hours away. Realized slowly the work environment was controlled, toxic, even my co workers were mean. I never could talk to them about anything. I went into depression but still showed up for work. I had a lease and rent to pay so couldn’t afford to lose the job. I put up with the nonsense for 2 and half years. Moving forward I realized, that I no longer will accept these behaviors in a workplace. I am about to start a new job and am hoping the work environment will be better and non toxic.

39. TCJDTVMarch 4,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

    Toxic workplaces boil down to one thing: poor leadership. Management that looks the other way (or joins in) when bullying/mobbing and/or other dysfunctional behaviors are happening.

    It would be nice if organizations were better trained on how to identify managers with personality disorders. Unfortunately, narcissists are often sought after because they tend to be high achievers that add to the bottom line even though they can make the workplace a living hell for almost everyone else.

40. MislynMarch 26,2024 at 7:11PM UTC

    Toxic workplaces from my experience all came down to the boss. Lady before me quite because boss as to ruff on her and she told me that while training me. She wasn’t honest with me totally and I found that out all to soon. He was horrible controlling manipulative loved making women cry for a power trip. Told lies on all the employees talked bad about his customers and would try to rip off anyone and everyone for his gain. Absolutely could not be trusted with anything. I video recorded my workspace because he was going through all my stuff when I was gone. Would go through my computer my desk. He moved my kid’s pictures on my desk is how I found out. So I set him up and boy oh boy that guy.

41. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

    In my experience, a toxic workplace is as follows:

    1) Unprofessional Managers and Leaders who micromanage and do not listen to a new hire when they speak.

    2) A company/organization offering zero training or professional development.

    3) Harassing coworkers who bully other employees.

    4) Managers who are bullies.

    5) Gossiping HR personnel and Leave Coordinators

    6) A company that has rows of cubicles with ancient hardware and software and dirty offices stacked with loads of papers.

    7) A Manager’s office that is completely covered with papers that the Manager is sitting there writing on a piece of paper in the middle of it all.

    Yes, all of this was experienced at two different places I worked.

42. MislynMarch 26,2024 at 7:05PM UTC

    Unprofessional ✔️

    zero training✔️ (unless your boss who knows nothing about the job telling you how to do it is training)

    harassing coworkers and boss plus boss was a major bully ✔️

    gossiping boss✔️ he would tell everyone my personal business or why I had to take a sick day or mental heath day that was caused by him!

    Dirty office✔️because he hired completely incompetent people to do the job. They spent more time going through my desk and computer then they did cleaning.

    Bosses office covered in papers and unorganized ✔️ he was the biggest reason we were so unorganized.

    I have experienced it all as well, bet we’re not the only ones.

43. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

    IME:

    1. Organizations that don't listen to feedback or at all. I don't mean bending over backwards, but withholding information: I worked at one place where my team was perpetually understaffed by 1 person or more. This was manageable and leadership would acknowledge there was a gap, but refused to explain why we couldn't fill the role or when to expect hiring to fill. Worked there for a few years and I never found out why they wouldn't tell us or what the reason was.
    2. Hypocritical management: an owner who could be incredibly gossipy about clients but then become pissy when we'd complain about our work (reasonable complaints like load and managing demand accordingly), that refused to allow WFH in any form unless you were sick (this was before COVID) when they were rarely in the office themselves, etc.
    3. Refusing to address personnel issues: I certainly don't want a "family" atmosphere, but refusing to deal with problematic people or address conflicts, etc. and would rather see people resign and walk away than have those hard conversations is so psychologically damaging.
44. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 3:42PM UTC

    Reading all these comments made me realize I'm working in a toxic work environment. Management who yell during simple logistics meetings, dogpiling on one employee, with the CEO sitting right there doing nothing about it.

45. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 1:53PM UTC

    A weak leader is the worst. They are enabling the behaviour of the management mob. Start looking for another job before this environment wears you down.

46. Zeecil KimmelMarch 4,2024 at 3:50PM UTC

    When you do not want to go to work and have fears and stress from work I think that is toxic. I am on the Sales team with a colleague in post-sales. Every single time I have to get information from him it becomes a back and forth with him belittling me, CCing every single person in the company, and using "us against them" verbiage. The worst part is everyone acknowledges that he is much more aggressive to me than anyone in the sales team. But no one stops him - A toxic situation. It is making me look around for sure.

47. Renee GlennMarch 4,2024 at 3:59PM UTC

    One in which a manager or colleagues aren't supportive; downright demeaning, passive-aggressive, backstabbing, aren't open to feedback or team building. A company that supports this type of behavior would be a toxic company to work for

48. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 4:34PM UTC

    A toxic environment is a place where your coworkers have little to no drive to treat you as a colleague, will actively make passive aggressive statements, give you meaningless work, or avoid supporting you when you ask for assistance (whether major or minor). When you dread going into work each day and spend your off days trying to "recover" from the previous work period so that you are constantly feeling rundown. I work in tech where all my other team members are male and am currently in this situation. Even asking clarifying questions gets me a snippy dm from my programming partner, even when it's something that others are experiencing themselves. It's exhausting and usually I will avoid asking questions until I am completely stuck, which means work could have been getting done more smoothly, but I am so averse to asking because I know it comes with a private message that I should "know these obvious things by now."

49. AnonymousMarch 4,2024 at 6:57PM UTC

    My point exactly! Had they done the proper training and assuring all employees understand their roles before throwing them to the wolves, they would have. A more successful team and save a bunch of time making comments about one’s talents that they hired! People are not willing to take the time to be partners to each other and will only look out for themselves. As long as these managers are allowed to behave this way, the more it will go on and an ever-lasting rotating door to find the “perfect candidate” that “hits the ground running” - which does not exist!

50. AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 1:50PM UTC

    Reply to those 'snippy' dm's and passive aggressive statements with the same energy. Your team members will soon realise two can play at that game!

51. AnonymousMarch 17,2026 at 4:42PM UTC

    This and sick going tonwork

52. Mia GiannesiMarch 4,2024 at 6:52PM UTC

    Many will give you examples and situations they have found themselves in to answer to this awesome question but I can summarize it into a simple way of spotting toxicity in the work place and not, immediately.

    If you are in any kind of relationship with someone that has the firm believe that they are better than you as a person because they own a business, a house, a car, money, land, (something they attach a monetary value to) and at this point you are below them, you are in the presence of someone TOXIC from the inside out.

    As a person you are of no value, maybe what you can do for them is a value, but still limited to the fact that they can find someone else to do that task.

    Unfortunately this is a reality wide spread work environments but is not limited to it.

    You will find this in marriage, families, friendships and even the neighbors..... hope this helps ty ty Mia

53. YourMomMarch 5,2024 at 9:08AM UTC

    This comment right here. So well said. It's sad but true.

54. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 8:02PM UTC

    Love this! I blame patriarchal capitalism. Others might say greed. But the system creates it.

55. Tami L CannizzaroMarch 4,2024 at 6:53PM UTC

    My opinion: Defining toxic is very personal. One person's description of toxic behavior/a toxic environment may be totally different from another's. To me, it boils down to our work style, personality and how we each click with the people we work with. Sometimes we fit well within the department or organization; other times it's like oil and water. A situation that I love and thrive in may actually be like fingernails on the chalk board to someone else. My worst job experience was with a company that others truly loved - I couldn't believe people liked it, or maybe they tolerated it due to the pay. Either way, I was shocked when I left and went to another firm that 2 people were leaving my new firm to RETURN to the company I had just left! Yet they thought it was great, were excited to go back and couldn't understand why I left. Again, different personalities and ways of working.

56. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 8:00PM UTC

    Totally disagree. I don't think you understand what a toxic or hostile environment really is. You are clearly talking about "fitting in" or finding a culture that fits with your work style. Those who have experienced toxic environments have seen or been victims of verbal abuse (name-calling), doors slamming by adult-toddler bosses, or the kind of needling and micromanaging that can make you very unproductive. May you never experience this!

57. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 7:06PM UTC

    I think there are a lot of behaviors that are toxic no matter the situation.

58. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 4:25AM UTC

    my current situation is a co worker that is being super passive aggressive.
    In front of my face she says its okay but behind my back she complains to my boss that I am not pulling enough weight. Very two faced but i wont play games with her and just ignore it and work with her. Drove her crazy and now she completely ignores me. She tries to blame it on her pregnancy pretends to throw up every so often so she could work remotely and go home.

59. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 7:05PM UTC

    Would be interested to know where you live. I live in the Pacific Northwest and I feel like this behavior (being nice to your face, but talking crap behind the scenes) is the norm. I once had a situation where a colleague went to our mutual boss to say I was mishandling a situation. Our boss told me I should talk to this person about it. I did and the person said, “no, I don’t think there are any issues.” I told our boss that was his response and he said, “that’s weird, he seemed to have a lot of concerns.” I should have said to my boss, “yes, and I hope you notice that he shares “concerns” with you only.” This colleague was super shady and did things to get the organization sued, but the boss still gave him power…and when the boss was fired, this colleague totally threw him under the bus.

60. AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 8:00PM UTC

    She's complaining to the boss because she feels speaking to you won't help. Is she right?

61. AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 7:51PM UTC

    Social norms and boundaries create respect for others and exist for a reason. Most of us honor that and behave accordingly. I once worked on a high-stakes sales team where we felt comfortable cursing and telling adult (not racist or mean) jokes. We loved celebrating each other’s wins, too. That was not a hostile environment. That was a culture within a team. What separates a given “culture” from a hostile/toxic work environment is the meanness, underhanded behavior and abuse. It is NOT about your ability to fit in or get along with others. Unhealthy environments can only be created when leadership practices, encourages or tolerates hostile or toxic behavior. My advice is to find another job as fast as you can. Don’t tolerate it. Work should be fulfilling, not punitive. You cannot afford to work in a negative, unproductive place. When you resign, you will cost the company 14x your salary to replace you (onboarding costs, retraining, knowledge-building) – the cost of wasting employees’ time.

62. AnonymousMarch 6,2024 at 6:12PM UTC

    Some toxic work behaviors I've experienced have included bosses / managers who don't empower and support their teams (but rather sit back and watch others badmouth or take advantage), co-workers who shout at others due to things out of their control (I used to get regularly shouted at by coworkers who were angry about things our Board said or did because I was the Board liaison), co-workers who punch down by pushing criticism or unwanted assignments that they don't want to do down onto junior staff behind the scenes (this can also include complaining about things the boss did to junior staff and expecting them to resolve it, even though they don't have authority), bosses / managers who don't know what their team members do and don't offer feedback or assistance, co-workers who criticize someone off-line behind the scenes, but then act friendly to their face, co-workers who throw others under the bus (often to cover their own tracks), co-workers who seek to undermine others by planting seeds of doubt in the heads of management, leaders who don't follow their own policies for accountability or who act in ways (or allow others to act in ways) that is not aligned with organizational values.

63. DrMMarch 6,2024 at 8:18PM UTC

    I'm currently working on a project on toxic work environments. If you are willing to talk with me about your experience, please click my profile photo and send me a "connect" message. Thank you!

64. Vivian HwaMarch 7,2024 at 11:12PM UTC

    Great question and cool research idea. Most people will list symptoms and indicators of a toxic workplace and it will be a bit subjective. A good, broad, working definition might borrow from toxic personal relationships. Is the working environment making problem solving and collaboration more difficult than not? (Different from "challenging") Are you drained more often than inspired or feeling accomplished?

65. MislynMarch 9,2024 at 8:27PM UTC

    A boss that lies about you to make himself look better. Makes it look like you don’t know how to do your job without them telling you how to do it. I had the most toxic boss in the world just all together a toxic person with an ego problem.