Toxic environments and unstimulating workplace

Keitsitse Losaba

November 29,2022 at 8:46AM UTC

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Toxic environments and unstimulating workplace

I am an architect. In August I resigned from my previous job because my boss was toxic. I was mentally and emotionally drained; the work I was doing when I look back on it for my portfolio - I regressed drastically and was doing work I did after completing undergrad. I resigned and joined an engineering company which was found for me by a recruiter. Again I am sensing toxic work environment - since I have been here elements and characteristics of my former boss have surfaced with my leader - unrealistic deadlines and refusal to take on my professional advice and input; this notion that building designs can be copy pasted. My fellow colleagues have mentioned the company does not increase salaries, have not in over 3 years. I am bored and unmotivated right now. I feel as though my creativity is slowly getting killed.

Is it wrong for me to continue looking for employment elsewhere? I am on a fixed term contract and I don't think I can last here for the entirety of the contract.???

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AnonymousNovember 29,2022 at 8:58AM UTC
It's wrong to stay in a workplace that kills your talent and keeps you unmotivated. Get out before it's too late. keep digging until you find the right place for yourself. Wishing you the best of luck!
AnonymousNovember 29,2022 at 2:31PM UTC
What penalities will you have for not fulfilling the contract? If it is a fixed term contract, does it allow in the contract for salary increases? The problem won't be in seeking other employment. The problem will be in your next employer seeing that you are willing to violate a contract and may view that as an unwillingness to fulfill an obligation you signed. That may be detrimental.
I'm not saying the environment is not toxic. I don't know the whole situation. I will say, however, if you view two environments in a row as toxic and draining, before I jumped ship again, I may take some time for self reflection. Are the bosses deadlines really unrealistic or are you just not working to your true potential? Is it that the boss is not willing to listen to your ideas, or is it that he/she listens but doesn't agree so your feelings get hurt? Is it a bad culture or do you have unrealistic ideas from a company to meet your every need? I am not implying that any of this is true or not. I had to do this for myself recently and it wasn't easy, but I found that some of my hurt feelings of a "toxic" environment were really on me to fix and it wasn't really the boss's fault. Just because things aren't what you want every time, does not necessarily mean the environment is toxic. So I would suggest you really take a minute to look hard at yourself and the situation. If you don't self assess, you may continue to job hop looking for the perfect situation that doesn't exist due to your own perceptions.
Keitsitse LosabaNovember 30,2022 at 6:25AM UTC
I hear this and understand. I have never job hopped. In my career as an architect for 12years I have had only 5 employers. My first employer I was with for 7years. The one company I got retrenched. The other one I was head hunted to be doing work I did after undergrad. I have my masters degree which is a prerequisite to be called an architect. Yes, maybe I need to just sit down and rethink and analyse everything. However, the previous architect left in acrimonious terms with the leader and director. Thank you for your advice. It might be a case of burnout and my just needing a break which the holidays will provide.
AnonymousNovember 29,2022 at 4:51PM UTC
Of course you keep looking but suggest really looking inward to determine what environment and management style you will thrive in. You'll need to do some soul searching before making your next jump.
As a rule, regardless of how satisfied I am, I keep looking. Opportunities present themselves all the time, but if you don't really have a clear criteria of what you respond to, you're going to waste precious energy on roles that don't align with you.
Keitsitse LosabaNovember 30,2022 at 6:17AM UTC
i Plan on doing that in December when we close for the holidays. In January I will have a clearer picture of the environment I will thrive in.
KarenNovember 29,2022 at 9:37PM UTC
Can you freelance on the side? What about joining and participating in professional networking groups for architects? How about going to some professional conferences? A change in routine will be stimulating for your brain and creativity. It may also open the door to a better job.
Keitsitse LosabaNovember 30,2022 at 6:16AM UTC
I do free-lance on the side. I have my own private company for all my private work. It does bring joy to work on those.