By: LIZ HARDIE
Toxic work environments can be detrimental to your health, both physical and mental
Many times you may think you are the problem, but in this type of environment it is probably not you
The problem is in the many issues that lie inside the workplace, including owners, management, coworkers
Issues like micromanagement, gossip, lack of communication and lack of accountability to name a few
Do you enjoy your job, the work that you do, but you just completely despise the environment you are in
I know this all too well, I had lived this hell each and every day, wondering if it will ever end
My mental health has slipped, some days I am beat down finding myself holding back tears sitting at my desk
I see employees negativity, whispering, gossiping, belittling, denial of actions, manager/coworker as best friends
I thought I was being sensitive but I realized I am not usually a sensitive person and this wasn’t any different
Since I started I have been told that I need to be nicer, I come across as aggressive and unapproachable
Initially I laughed this off, but after way too many years of this, I have come to realize that I am by no means the issue
Employees that I trained are still employed, customers and vendors like me, they see me as real, credible
So I am belittled because my face shows it all and I speak my mind, I am not fake or a person that kisses asses
I respect everyone with no judgement but if something is not right, I will speak up, no matter what happens to me
New employees know that they can come to me, I will not give an attitude and they can trust me, we speak in confidence
As much as I am the one being criticized, I am not why people quit, blinders are on, it is all in what they want to see
I have asked myself this daily for months, why do I stay if it makes me this way, making me physically exhausted
Truly I have tried to rectify the situation, spoke directly to owners, I laugh, stay positive, complete my daily plans
My attitude never changes, I work hard each day to get the job done that I was hired to do, helping everyone
Unfortunately I can not say this about all, their lack of care, lack of respect, cliques, secrets, lack of motivation
Yet since I don’t have a fake personality, a kiss ass attitude, act like they want, they say I am “unhappy” or “rude”
Small talk is not for me when I’m drowning in work, although I am kind and helpful, yet I am told I need to smile more
Working over 10 hours daily, receiving calls, texts and working on vacation, I put my heart and soul in my work
Even asking what to improve on, I get no response, so I’m left disheartened, I will never become a person I deplore
In an environment, a toxic work environment, that you feel the “real” you is expected to be changed, you need to leave immediately
Constant negativity about what my face says, that I speak up, has nothing to do with my work or how I treat others
The sad thing that Upper Management never chose to see, is the ass kissers are the ones you need to look out for
These employees have the most to hide, happy, cheery to the bosses, rude and unkind to other coworkers
Wondering why there are so few employees who have chose to stay long term, I would be curious to hear their why
From what I have seen, there is no advancement opportunity, contributions and achievements are not appreciated,
Very few pay raises are given no matter the situation, bad behavior is overlooked and excused, stress level is high
This is common in a toxic work environment, it’s in your best interest to leave, no longer wanting to feel deflated
The decision may be very easy or it may be hard, depending on your circumstance, but only you know what’s best
Is it best for you to stay or to leave? Only you can answer this question, but please find a support system to talk with
While deciding to leave toxic work environments, do things that relieve stress, document everything in case you may need in future,
Begin a job search, deciding along the way if the current situation is improving or if you need to exit, relax and breath
Toxic Work environments are never going to go away, as unfortunately, toxic people are never going away
If toxicity is condoned, businesses will continue to be a revolving door for all the good and hard working
Why a business would want their name related to a toxic work environment, I am not sure, but it is very common
I ask: Why be so horrible? Why be so unkind? Do you not find kissing ass and hurting others disturbing?
Featured Image Credit: https://picjumbo.com/author/viktorhanacek/