New company, toxic culture

Anonymous

October 23,2022 at 3:39PM UTC

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New company, toxic culture

I'm new to this company and started only 5 months ago. Its becoming evident that the work culture is toxic. Shortly after I started, many leaders including peers my level and my immediate boss left the company. Several area leaders left as well. It doesn't seem like this is abnormal to the company as many people recognized turn over is naturally high.

My new boss (temporary) clearly values overworking culture, and people coming in to work even if they are sick. One time I called out sick for work (1 time out of the 5 months) he made me feel horrible over the phone. He also told me that it upsets him when people show up for work and have to leave early because they are sick, she says they should just "take some over the counter meds and ride it out". I work in healthcare so people get sick a lot especially since most staff members are stressed out and overworked all the time.

Worsened by the turnover, all locations are always short staffed- overworking our existing staff. It's proving to be difficult to keep overextending people to meet metrics where the pay is comparatively lower compared to other companies nearby, and the work culture expectation is to always be hustling to meet our turn around times.

This made other location resort to cheating to make the metrics look better than they are. But it seems like even if they are aware of this "cheating" they look the other way because good KPI's even if they are fake, benefit them as well.

I feel like I'm not comfortable working at this current company with its values not aligning to mine. But I also think it will be detrimental to leave the a company so soon.

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AnonymousOctober 23,2022 at 5:13PM UTC
At my job people call off all the time. Sometimes for 6 or 7 days in a row. It hurts the ones like you who are really sick
AnonymousOctober 23,2022 at 6:07PM UTC
Since there turnover is well known and overworked culture is expected there won't be any change to that.
Since you have resigned yourself to stay, I would focus on your personal life, selfcare and outside interests to balance out your feelings.
KatOctober 23,2022 at 6:52PM UTC
There's no reason to stay in a job you don't like any longer than you have to. The idea that you have to stay in a job a certain amount so you don't look like a "job hopper" is outdated. Post Covid, short times at jobs are not unusual or seen as a bad thing. It might take a few months to find something new, so you might be at your job close to a year anyway. If people ask why you're looking, just say your current job isn't a good fit. Polish that resume and get networking now before this job wastes any more of your time and talent than it has to.
Laura WestOctober 23,2022 at 8:39PM UTC
Great advice and great point — by the time you find the right new job, you may be pushing a year with current employer.
AnonymousOctober 23,2022 at 8:36PM UTC
If you work in healthcare, your boss has to be the biggest hypocrite of all time.
Apply elsewhere and don't look back. See if guiness world record is checking for him. I would nominate the jerkazoid.
Laura WestOctober 23,2022 at 8:38PM UTC
Have no qualms about voting with your feet; no job is worth your well-being. Unfortunately this situation isn’t uncommon — and I’m sure a prospective new employer would understand that when it’s stated diplomatically. But — a little Devil’s Advocate here — just maybe ... if your boss is temporary ... any idea how temporary? Might this be something you could ride out until you see what the next boss is like?
AnonymousOctober 23,2022 at 9:05PM UTC
That sounds awful. I don't think short tenures are frowned upon by enlightened companies. Your health is more important than that organization. Best to get out before it chips away at you.
AnonymousOctober 24,2022 at 6:02PM UTC
There is a lot less stigma associated with leaving something quickly and if you know that it's not right for you, then get out for your own mental health, but do not leave a frying pan to land into the fire either, try to do your research for the next one, but sometimes we don't really know until we get there
Kathryn MontbriandOctober 25,2022 at 7:29PM UTC
hi there - I recently shared a blog post that addressed a very similar question: someone less than a year in to their job and the culture was causing them to question if they should stay or go.
The questions & thought exercises might help you as you choose your next steps. wishing you the best as you figure this tricky situation out.
https://www.kathrynmontbriand.com/when-i-grow-up/012-im-less-than-a-year-in-and-the-culture-is-dragging-me-down-should-i-stick-it-out