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What Toxic Work Environments Look Like: 4 Sneaky Real Examples
Toxic and psychologically unsafe work environments and company cultures are as common as they are harmful. Let’s uncover some of their most unhealthy and stealthy traits.
When I first started offering 1:1 coaching sessions, I was (somewhat) surprised to see how many professionals needed my help in understanding — or seeing — whether they were dealing with a toxic, psychologically unsafe, or un-inclusive workplace.
Some of my clients knew that already and approached me (and our 1:1 sessions) with a “how to get a new job” or “how to deal with this situation” energy. Some were very clear about not wanting to work there anymore, others were trying to decide whether this was a fixable management issue, and some considered all their options before making a final educated decision (the smartest thing to do, in my opinion!)
These sessions are “easier” to tackle, in comparison. These professionals already identified the issue and just needed help in navigating those new, inequitable, and uncharted waters.
Unfortunately, some of my other clients aren’t as “lucky.” Their toxic workplaces gaslighted them into thinking *they* were the problem.
These companies pushed them into a full-blown “quiet quitting” attitude (even when they were top performers just a few months prior), broke way too many promises for these professionals to even care anymore, and — in some cases — turned these employees into disengaged, uncaring team members.
These situations are tricky. They often make us feel under-appreciated, under-valued, and ignored. We start resenting everything and everyone. And the worst part? We can’t even pinpoint what the issue really is.
If this resonated with you and you’re kinda questioning whether your company culture is harmful or inequitable, let’s review four very real — and very common — examples of toxic (but hidden!) traits.
