No one wants to work in a toxic workplace. Not the leaders, not the managers and definitely not the employees. But how do you know if your company’s work environment is becoming toxic? And what are some common signs of toxic organizations and workplace dysfunction?
The symptoms of a less-than-thriving organizational culture are often insidious, creeping in and slowly whittling away at everyone’s physical health, happiness and productivity. One-off brusque or insensitive comments turn into increasingly negative everyday interactions, poor communication, and hostile work environments. Communication shortcomings sour relationships and impede progress. Mistakes are a blame game or swept under the rug due to office politics.
Toxic workplace culture isn’t just something that happens to someone else. It’s a problem most people will encounter to some degree during their careers.