Let's start a dialogue around Toxic.

Jackie Ghedine

November 6,2021 at 1:00PM UTC

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Let's start a dialogue around Toxic.

Do you believe people are throwing around the term toxic too much in describing any situation that isn't perfect or any tough personalities one may have to deal with?

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AnonymousNovember 6,2021 at 1:16PM UTC
I think there is a Spectrum of difficult environments and levels of sensitivity around difficulty people. It's a catch-all term for anything on the Spectrum & al immediately puts the discussion in a certain light.
It's all relative according to the feelings and emotions of the person.
AnonymousNovember 6,2021 at 2:41PM UTC
Yes I think it is used too much. Be specific - call it what it is: gaslighting, sexual harassment, micro managed, inflexible hours and/or location, low pay/no increase, a manager that can’t communicate how to do better/advance etc. I think toxic relates more to how bad it is. I felt like I was drowning in a sewer. While I held out for someone to see how bad it was it got so much worse. But I guess what makes it toxic is different for everyone.
AnonymousNovember 6,2021 at 2:57PM UTC
The problem with the is lack of specificity and I think it's a label that's too casually used, yes.
AnonymousNovember 6,2021 at 5:17PM UTC
Yes I think so. Work is not a wish granting machine.
AnonymousNovember 6,2021 at 5:59PM UTC
There are some who melt down if someone tells them that not performing up to expectations and others who are truly abused.
I've noticed many entitled people call every incident toxic or bullying because it sounds tragic when all it is is life pushing back on their behavior. I'm thinking that they get this in most areas of their life do to their lack of proper interaction.
Emily KeiperNovember 6,2021 at 8:18PM UTC
I don’t feel that way. I think everyone has their perception of what “toxic” is and how it feels to them. If someone is saying the environment they are working in, or the people they are communicating with are “toxic” then something about the situation most likely is.
AnonymousNovember 7,2021 at 1:28AM UTC
I a man over people calling everything “toxic”. Yes I agree the terms toxic is overused. It’s so overused it really holds no meaning after awhile. The same as “abusive” I am done hearing that term at every turn. If a person is being abused that should be addressed immediately. Now it seems people toss the word “toxic” “abusive” so randomly it really holds no impact.
AnonymousDecember 5,2021 at 3:43PM UTC
Toxic is a very subjective term. When someone tells me they work or have worked in such an environment, red flags go up.
I’ve interviewed people for jobs that have told me that they are looking to move on from a “toxic” environment. Requires me to ask a number of questions to determine if toxic means a workplace that is a “mean girls club” or if the word means something else that would make decline a job offer potential hire because their expectations of the job and reality would result in them describing my department as a toxic environment
My advice to those interviewing for jobs is to choose your works wisely, and to avoid using this term