Breaking: Toxicity in the Workplace

My dad used to say, “Don’t forget to use your coconut!” That was his way of reminding me to use my head to gather information, look at the facts, and measure my data for the best possible outcome, along with how I feel or intuit a situation. Over the years, I have seen his advice as true in that it is not enough to rely solely on logic and analysis, my coconut. I also need to use my gut to tap into what I know viscerally about my next step, the opportunity, and the people. This is also true in making important life choices like choosing a job or career path. Getting lost in the sea of information and advice is easy, and knowing which direction to take can be challenging. Fortunately, there is my dad’s helpful analogy to help guide the decision-making process. It takes both the coconut and the gut to make a good decision, especially when avoiding a toxic work culture. In this article, we'll explore using your head and your gut to make informed decisions that lead to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling career and avoid a toxic work environment.?

A toxic work culture is characterized by negative factors that create stress, unhealthy conditions, and unproductivity. Typical signs of a toxic work environment are poor communication, high turnover, micromanagement, discrimination and harassment, lack of support, overwork and underpayment, toxic coworkers, and a fear-based culture. Many of my clients have experienced this type of environment, and so have I. So, how do we avoid a toxic workplace from the start??

That can be a challenge, but there are steps I have seen work with my clients over the last 15+ years to increase the chances of finding a positive and healthy workplace. If you are tired of toxic cultures, unethical behavior, and other factors that unhappy employees deal with in these hostile work environments we are referent to, check out these five steps to learn how to recognize the common signs of a toxic environment.

Five Steps Job Seekers Can Take to Increase Your Chances of Finding A Positive Work Culture

Do your research

Before applying for a job, research the company and read reviews from current and former employees on sites like Glassdoor. Look for patterns or recurring themes in the reviews that could indicate a toxic work environment. Check if there is mention of high employee turnover or toxic corporate culture. Was there a mass exodus of employees? Why did employees decide to leave jobs at this company?

Ask questions in the interview.

During the interview process, feel free to ask questions about the company's culture, core values, management style, hiring process, and employee retention. You could also ask about any of the company's policies you have reviewed and how they communicate job performance. How will they recognize performance. Is there room for you to grow into a leadership position? These can help you gain insight into the company culture and how it may impact your job satisfaction.

Trust your gut.

If something feels off during the interview or during your research, trust your instincts. Pay attention to your feelings about the company and whether it would fit you well.

Talk to current employees.

If you know any employees at the company, consider contacting them for their perspective on the workplace culture. Do the employees talk about working longer hours than normal, do they show signs of employee burnout with too many responsibilities and unrealistic expectations? Does it feel like middle school with lots of office gossip? This can give you an insider's view of what it's like to work there from the employees.

Look for signs of a positive workplace culture.

During the interview process, look for signs that the company values its employees, such as opportunities for growth and development, a focus on work-life balance, and a supportive and collaborative culture. Positive culture, employee satisfaction, and honest communication are also key things to look for.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that only some jobs or companies will be a perfect fit. Still, being proactive in your job search and paying attention to the warning signs can increase your chances of finding a positive and healthy work environment and avoiding toxic culture. Using your head to gather information, look at the facts, and measure your data for the best possible outcome is essential. Additionally, you should use your gut to tap into what you know viscerally about the opportunity, the people, and the workplace environment. However, despite our best efforts, we may land a job in one of these toxic workplaces. In those situations, I tell my clients, “Your circumstances may suck, but you don’t.” Then, we dive into finding something better using my dad’s coconut and gut approach. You don’t have to settle.?