Toxic Work Environment: Are You THAT Girl?

Have you ever experienced a hostile or unprofessional work setting? 

That nasty, negative energy that makes you dread going to work every day?

Being part of a toxic work environment can be incredibly damaging to one’s mental and physical health.

Unfortunately, there are many instances where people end up being participants in the toxicity rather than its victims.

But how do you know if you’re part of the problem?

Toxic workplaces are often characterized by bullying, competition, drama, and an overall negative atmosphere which can create a sense of animosity between colleagues. 

These environments can make you feel anxious, dread coming into work, or experience physical symptoms such as stress headaches or tension in the body.

If you’re experiencing these sorts of feelings as a result of your workplace, it’s worth asking yourself if maybe you are contributing to the problem. 

Here are some signs that indicate you may be adding to the toxicity rather than trying to help fix it:

1. You gossip about or talk negatively about other employees.

2. You criticize and single out other employees for their mistakes without offering constructive feedback.

3. You refuse to take responsibility for your mistakes or accept criticism from others.

4. You use manipulation tactics such as guilt-tripping or silencing others when they disagree with your opinion or actions.

5. You put down others who don’t meet your standards and make them feel small to bolster your sense of superiority over them.

6. You take credit for other people’s successes without giving them recognition for their hard work and dedication.

7. You blame external circumstances whenever something goes wrong instead of admitting fault and learning from it.

8. You refuse to cooperate with others, even if it benefits the team or company as a whole.

9. You are in a leadership role and constantly remind subordinates you are in charge – mostly when it’s not necessary to do so.

It’s important to remember that everyone has different triggers that can cause them to act in negative ways.

So take the time to reflect on yourself before pointing fingers at anyone else.

If you find yourself engaging in any of these behaviors then try thinking about why this might be happening and how best you can address it head-on so that everyone involved can benefit from a more positive working experience in the future.

It’s hard to admit that we might be active participants in the negativity, but if we are able to recognize our triggers and our behaviors, we have the opportunity to make a change for the better!