GASLIGHTING AT WORK

Gaslighting often comes into play at work through a toxic managerial relationship, where this kind of dynamic can thrive due to an indifferent working environment. In fact, gaslighting is a particularly sneaky element of a not-healthy workplace, where someone manipulates and makes you doubt about yourself and your right to be in that workplace.

Some practical examples are the constant criticism, crossing professional boundaries, saying one thing in person then denying it over email, not communicating essential information, continually changing goals, making promises and then denying them, taking credit for your work and so on.

“Gaslighters” can make you feel like you’re getting everything wrong or that you’re incompetent. They simply don’t want you to improve or succeed. ?It’s a type of harassment at work where you can feel like your efforts are being sabotaged.

At the workplace, a gaslighter can be a negative manager, a bad co-worker or a prejudiced workgroup. This toxic workplace can also be the result of systemic and institutional bias. A gaslighter may target and victimize groups as well as individuals.

In all cases, unfortunately, gaslighting could really destroy your confidence and sense of self, which doesn’t help neither your work nor yourself. ?Moreover, it could bring to some mental distress, job loss, physical ramifications of long-term stress and burnout.

In order to face positively such a challenge make a written shared recap of your conversations. Try having an authentic conversation about how you feel, share situations where you've felt like you were gaslighted. Make sure you confide in people that you trust. If necessary, take it to the next level, following your company's policy for reporting harassment. Bring your documentation and ask others in the same boat if they'd be willing to come with you.

…And above all, move on.

Hopefully, you will be able to get a solution, but if the organization doesn't back you up, you should probably apply to a new employer as soon as possible. Staying in a toxic working environment isn't good for your health. At all.

To recover from gaslighting, you need to stand up for yourself and your emotions.

Gaslighters thrive off of people's desire for approval and fear of abandonment. If your organization doesn’t support you, don't hesitate to leave your job. Your sanity and self-worth deserve more than a salary or someone else’s approval.

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