The reason getting let go by a boss who had a negative impact on your life can be traumatizing is because many people form an “abusive relationship” with their job, Bobby says. “They have a narrative that says, 'if I were better I wouldn't have done a bad job. It was my fault,' she says.
“Bad bosses can be guilty of months or years of berating, overworking, withholding information, threatening, and not appreciating one's work, which can definitely cause PTSD-like symptoms, if not an actual diagnosis.”
When it comes to the federal sector, an employee subject to a hostile environment in the workplace can develop or aggravate the following types of mental conditions: Depression, Anxiety, Post-traumatic stress disorder. A toxic work environment can be detrimental to your mental and physical health.
If there's no forward movement in your career, especially in one where you previously experienced growth, it's a sign that things are toxifying. It might be time to consider quitting your job.
Sometimes leaving the toxic workplace can be enough to fix the problem. For most of us, however, it can take weeks or months to recover. A toxic workplace can leave wounds and scars on our self-esteem and confidence.
A toxic workplace may lack clear goals or fail to communicate them effectively, leading to confusion and frustration among employees. Employees will then have difficulty understanding their career path and how to contribute to the company's success, leading to a negative work atmosphere.
A toxic workplace can lead to lower-quality work, a decrease in productivity, and employee dissatisfaction—all of which may lead to staff turnover. When you're a leader, it's important to address the signs of a toxic workplace as soon as you notice them in order to avoid cultivating a negative company culture.
Even if you don't have another job lined up, it's often best to put your two weeks in or simply quit and walk away from a toxic job before things go too far. There is always someone who will support you from that job to help you transition into your next phase.
Work environments can be stressful. Micromanaging bosses, uncooperative teammates, organizational changes, and new responsibilities can all cause stress and loss of confidence. Stress is directly related to loss of confidence and the more you stay in a stressful situation, the more your confidence will wane.
Farrell explained that after quitting a job in a toxic work environment, research shows that it takes about 22 months for a former employee's stress level to return to a healthy range.
Toxic work environments make employees feel punished, rejected, guilty, defensive and humiliated. Employees find it difficult to work in this environment because of negative behaviors from management and co-workers. Common behaviors include bullying, yelling, manipulating and belittling.
Colleen Irwin on Twitter: "Leaving a toxic workplace is an act of bravery, not an act of defeat." / Twitter.
Any employee who doesn't feel valued is more likely to leave. Star employees are often far more productive than their co-workers and they want that productivity to be recognised. A lack of recognition can affect morale and engagement, which as we've seen, will quickly sap your top performers desire to stick around.
If you decide to fully disclose burnout as a cause, frame it as a strength. For example, if your burnout was due to a values mismatch, explain the steps you've taken to get clear about your values and how the new position is a better fit.
It can lead to excessive stress, fatigue, depression and anxiety, and even feelings of burnout. Employees in a toxic work environment may feel unmotivated, which can decrease their productivity. They may have a harder time engaging with others and communicating openly about their needs and boundaries.
“Workplace PTSD can manifest as chronic anxiety, hyper-reactivity, exhaustion, depression, emotional numbing, self-isolation, sleep difficulties, lack of focus, irritability, negativity, avoidance of work, intrusive thoughts, self-blame, and blaming of others,” Manly said.