Toxicity at the Work and its Effect on Employee Wellness

Most jobs are stressful, and we all pass through times at work where deadlines and emergencies make it even more stressful. However, if your job is causing you chronic stress and you constantly feel like you are avoiding going to work, not only due to the stressful job itself, but also to avoid the negativity, then you could be dealing with a toxic work environment.

Toxicity at work has been proven to negatively affect the mental wellbeing of employees, with effects leading up to depression at times. So, what are the signs of a toxic workplace? How does it affect your wellbeing as an employee? And how can it be countered?

The signs of a toxic workplace can include many things, namely:

  • Gossip:
    It is hard to be productive in a workplace that is always afflicted by rumors and gossip. The feeling that a team which should be working to achieve a unified goal has instead been split into opposing counterparts brings down the morale, affects the passion of employees towards achieving the company’s mission, and is a huge time waster. In some instances, occurrences of bullying at the office related to gossip and dramatic work relationships have resulted in more serious effects that could even lead to one quitting their job or suffering from major depression.

  • Toxic bosses:
    A toxic boss is one of the major reasons that can push employees to quitting their job. A toxic boss is never content with the work, does not offer words of encouragement and praise, and generally exhibits bad leadership skills. Constant destructive criticism and blocking communication makes it difficult to want to please such bosses with your work.

 

  • Hindered progress:
    Another sign of a toxic workplace is the lack of opportunities of grow. Working in a seemingly stagnant environment with no room for promotions or professional development will quickly affect the mental wellbeing of employees, leaving them feeling stuck and frustrated, and ready to quit and find a job that matches their desire to grow both professionally and personally.

Working in such a workplace severely affects an employee’s mental wellbeing. Instead of being excited to embrace a new working day and be productive, an employee finds himself dragging himself out of bed, dreading to go into such a negative environment, and impatiently waiting for working hours to end in order to leave. Frustration will be a key factor in such a workplace, low self esteem can also be a huge effect of constant criticism and lack of appreciation. The effects will not only be confined to the professional life of the employee, though. These effects will branch out to other aspects of an employee’s life like their personal relationships and manifest there.

The constant stress and anxiety that are a result of toxic workplaces will have negative effects not only on an employee’s mental wellbeing, but on their physical wellbeing as well. Their sleep cycles will be affected, as well as their productivity levels.

In time, and in most cases, depression will ensue, which will be a huge problem.

So, what’s the solution?

In the case where changing your job is not an option, the best thing you can do is to work on protecting and developing your mental wellbeing as much as possible.

Seeking therapy can be a life-changing option for self care, (Try downloading Takalam to book a session with a mental wellbeing professional today!). You can also try on finding fulfillment outside of the workplace through hobbies or volunteering work.

If your coworkers engage in or are part of the toxicity at work, try to limit contact with them as much as you can.

Protecting your mental wellbeing is a priority at all times, and especially at the workplace, where you are most invested and where you spend most of your time.