Sometimes people drag themselves to work not because they are lazy but due to the situation at work. A person feels like they are trapped in a cage. At times a person experience mood swings which they can’t explain, it is so confusing to them that they wonder what is going on.
A closer look at the causes of some of these feelings or experiences reveal a toxic work environment. The writer defines a toxic work environment as a place where people don’t feel safe and secure. The relations are strained and there is little or no appreciation from the powers be.
Below are some of the signs of a toxic work environment:
1 .Suspicion and witch hunting is the order of the day.
2. Gossip reigns supreme .
3. Anyone who tries to further their studies or career are either demoted from their position or issues are created so as to terminate their contract .
4. Management looks for faults from their subordinates especially towards the pay day .
5. Success is attributed to one person usually the leader of the team even though it may have been a team effort .
6. Workers reward system is not clear .Awards are given mysteriously depending on who feeds the ego of the top leader .
7. There is high turnover rate .Workers leave the organization at an alarming rate.
8. The management use divide and rule tactic in their administration.
9 Workers absenteeism is so rampant .
10.Workers show hostility towards the senior leaders .There is serious antagonism between the management and the workers .
11. The workers dodge work and take more than is required for a lunch break .
12. Frustrations are so evident and the workers display an angry mood .
13. Little or no formal communication .
14. Fear is so evident in the workers .
15. People can poison each other especially in the food.
Although the above list is not exhaustive, it captures some facts about a toxic work environment .
What to do when confronted by such an environment at work:
1. Take time off and process what needs to be done next .
2. Explore available options .
3 . Seek professional help
4 . Share with someone you trust .
5. Starting looking for viable options
6.Make an informed decision .
7. Change and adjust your attitude and see people in positive light .
8. Accept what you can’t change .
9.Be guided by your convictions and persuasions as an individual.
There is no cast and stone responses to a toxic work environment. The writer respectfully submits that at work conflict happens ,yet there are times conflict becomes unhealthy and in such circumstances decisions have to be made.
The writer Professor Elias Chakabwata is an organizational leadership consultant and The Executive President of Impact Training Institute which offer different trainings to corporates and individuals. He can be contacted on 0732288687.
