Office Politics Bringing You Down?

Contrary to how work emails are worded, many office places are plagued by a toxic culture where blame games, communication breakdowns, and demotivation are rampant. While every job has its frustrations, constant negativity in the workplace that breeds anxiety and feelings of despair should never be tolerated, and recognizing the red flags is the first step to protecting yourself. Don't let your job poison your life. Here are 10 signs your workplace is toxic and 10 strategies for dealing with it, short of just quitting.

1. High Employee Turnover

One sure sign that you're workplace is toxic is that there's high employee turnover. It usually means that it's not just you who feels the bad vibes. People can't stand working there, and the company is perpetually hiring.

2. A Lack Of Work-Life Balance

Companies need to understand their employees are people too. While it's true that some industries are more intense than others, you should never feel like you have no time for the people you love and the things you enjoy.

3. Poor Communication

Is your workplace constantly grappling with communication breakdowns? It's not just an inefficiency, it also erodes trust and makes for a frustrating, uncertain environment.

4. It's Demotivating

We all have days when we feel unmotivated at work, but it becomes a problem when you constantly feel that way. It's a response to a consistently negative, unsupportive environment.

5. Blame Culture

Instead of tackling the problem when something goes wrong, blame culture focuses on finding a scapegoat and pointing fingers. This leads to a lot of anxiety and a lack of trust and transparency in the workplace.

6. Lack Of Trust

A lack of trust is the bedrock from which other toxic behaviors stem. If there's a lack of trust, leaders will micromanage instead of empower employees, leading to a lack of growth and learning, and usually a high turnover as no one wants to work under those conditions.

7. Unrealistic Expectations

When employers constantly place impossible or nearly impossible demands on their employees, it creates an atmosphere of stress. It's usually the result of chronic understaffing as companies try to save money, and often leads to people being underpaid.

8. Poor Ethics

Poor ethics can mean anything from dishonesty to unfair and illegal practices, signifying a detrimental lack of a moral compass within the organization. Poor ethics can lead to discrimination and harassment, unequal treatment, and reputation damage which can reflect poorly on employees.

9. Unforgiving

Although you shouldn't just shrug them off, you shouldn't feel like when you make a mistake it's the end of the world either. You need to have a workplace where you feel supported through your low moments as well as your wins.

10. Lack Of Recognition

A job well done should not go consistently unnoticed. A simple verbal acknowledgment goes a long way, and if your employer fails to even do this bare minimum, it will result in low workplace morale.

Now that we've gone over what makes a toxic workplace, let's talk about how you can cope.

1. Make A Work Friend

There's solidarity in friendship. Even the most toxic workplace will have good people who can make your day better with each interaction.

2. Document Everything

Just in case somewhere down the line your toxic workplace unfairly treats you or gets embroiled in illegal activities, make sure you have the evidence to save your own skin. Document everything from emails to messages and phone calls.

3. Create Firm Boundaries

It's crucial in any job, but especially a toxic one, to create firm boundaries between your work and home life. Learn how to say "no" and limit your exposure to toxic people and workplace drama.

4. Avoid Office Gossip

Office gossip may seem like a good way to bond with colleagues and let off steam, but it only contributes more to the negative atmosphere. Try flipping the script and talking only positively about your colleagues. You'll see how it changes the energy in the office.

5. Find Ways To Detach

When you work in a toxic environment, it's extremely crucial to find ways to psychologically distance yourself from your workplace and leave work at work. Something as simple as changing your clothes when you get home or briefly meditating can help you do so.

6. Speak Up

If you have an issue with a specific colleague, you may want to consider bringing it up with them calmly and privately. You can also approach your workplace's HR professional who will help you address the problem discreetly.

7. Seek Support

Seek support within the company to address your concerns. Make sure you approach a trustworthy person who won't just turn your issues into more gossip and toxicity.

8. Focus On Your Work

One simple way of dealing with unhealthy office politics is to simply tune out all the noise. Put your head down and fully engage yourself in your work, as long as you're able to disconnect from it at the end of the day.

9. Invest In Your Professional Development

Investing in your professional development can help you feel more confident in your abilities and, if need be, leave your toxic job knowing that you can find something better. This can take the shape of online courses, building your portfolio, and improving your resume.

10. Stay Positive

A positive mindset can go a long way. Practice gratitude each day and engage in activities that make you happy. Let your light shine so bright that the negative toxicity can't touch you.