Job autonomy is a major factor in encouraging workers to stay amid the great resignation conundrum. It further encourages employee engagement and loyalty with higher productivity, according to a study made by the Center for Creative Leadership (CLC). There are, however, signs gradually shaping a toxic work environment that consequently drags down a worker's performance.
We have compiled a list of the top seven warning signs that can help you see work tyranny early on and notice toxic work environments so that you can avoid them. If you see any of these signs, it is time to take a step back and ask yourself if you would just tolerate it, deal with it, or will you just walk away. A toxic workplace can be incredibly damaging to employee morale and productivity, so it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.
A toxic workplace at times has been connected to office politics that go out of hand. Office politics can be both good and bad. How you respond to office politics can help diminish a toxic work environment and help employee retention in the long run.
Office Politics and Its Role in the Workplace
Office politics can be defined as the ways in which people try to gain favor within an organization. If it goes out of hand, it could be an attempt to get ahead and involve anything from networking and schmoozing with peers to sabotaging others' work or spreading office gossip that often leads to a hostile work environment.
Politics in the workplace is often seen as a negative thing, but the reality is that it is inevitable. After all, we are all human and we all have our own agendas and ideas of how we think the firm (and us with it) should work and move forward even in a hostile workplace.
Whether we realize it or not, we all develop strategies to advance in our careers or to create a better work environment for ourselves and in doing so. We all behave differently around people who we know have a say in our promotion or around people who are our direct competition when it comes to the development of our career. We all have work to do as associates, at times we are more friendly with the people we get along with and engage in office gossip about those that we do not like that much. One just has to make sure that all these would not lead to negative communication and hostile work environments in the long term. Sometimes, co-workers and superiors influence how we behave toward them and how we cooperate (or do not cooperate) with them on tasks or in general.
It all boils down to your self-esteem and how you do not let your personal life be mixed with the office and maintain the work-life balance you are aiming for.
The key is to make sure that office politics do not become the focus of the workplace. You should always keep things professional and remember that your co-workers and your boss are there to help you succeed, not sabotage you. If you find yourself getting caught up in office politics, take a step back and re-evaluate your goals.
The Positive Outcomes of Office Politics
Politics in the workplace can be a touchy subject. However, it should be seen as a necessary part of the business world. After all, if everyone agreed on everything, nothing would ever get done. In some cases, office politics can even be helpful to all in the office.
When done correctly, office politics can help employees build relationships, learn new skills, and advance their careers. Organizational politics can motivate many employees to self-monitor their behavior and try to stay in line with the unwritten rules of the office, as well as to keep their goals aligned with what is best for them career-wise. It can also lead to healthy competition amongst employees, which many see as a good thing, as it often leads to better performance.
The Negative Consequences
However, when negative politics becomes too intense or destructive, it can have negative consequences for both individuals and the organization as a whole. The disadvantages of office politics are that they can often lead to confusion, resentment, and frustration. When office politics are ignored or swept under the rug, it is not uncommon for them to build up until they become a toxic work environment in which employees feel intimidated by one another or do not trust what their colleagues say. If this happens, work performance is at times badly affected because workers are in low morale and could not fully focus on the task at hand.
Toxic Work Environment
A toxic work environment is one in which politics had taken control. Employees may feel that they are being excluded from certain opportunities or information, or they may feel like other people in the company are out to get them and the concept of a bad boss emerges. If the problem persists, it can cause employees to become stressed and frustrated with each other or the company itself; ultimately leading to high turnover rates because no one wants to work in a toxic workplace for too long.
The productivity and concentration of employees experiencing high levels of stress in toxic workplaces also greatly suffers. The inevitable result of an unproductive workforce in a hostile work environment, apart from the high turnover rate, are mistakes made by employees, missed deadlines, and serious disruptions leading to unsatisfied clients and even company collapse.
When looking at these consequences workplace toxicity can have on a company and its workers, it becomes obvious that not only senior executives but everyone working in the business have to look out for signs of a toxic workplace. Recognizing tyranny and toxicity in the workplace early in the game gives the company and the employees the best chance to fix what is not working and return the work environment back to a more healthy state. The following are the seven red flags of a toxic workplace you should look out for in order to recognize workplace toxicity and take the necessary steps to make it go away.
7 Signs of Toxic Work Environments
People Are Afraid To Speak Up and Share Their Ideas
One of the first signs that a work environment has turned toxic is when people become afraid to share their ideas. This can be due to fear of retribution from management, or from other employees who feel that their power and influence are being threatened. Every employee weighs how their actions affect their position in the company, so if the company culture does not appreciate those who speak up, they will keep their thoughts and ideas to themselves.
When people are afraid to share their ideas, it can lead to a lack of innovation and creativity within the company. This is not only harmful to employees' morale but also for the business as a whole.
Criticism Is Met With Hostility or Punishment
If criticism is not welcomed and employees are met with hostility or punishment, it can be a sign that the company has turned toxic. This often happens when there is a lack of trust amongst colleagues and can lead to an overall feeling of unease in the workplace.
When employees feel that they cannot openly give or receive feedback, it can be detrimental to their work performance and creativity. Studies have even shown that when constructive criticism is withheld, it can lead to decreased productivity and innovation.
Decisions Are Made Without Input From Employees
When employees feel as though their opinions and ideas are not being valued, it can lead to resentment towards the company. If decisions about work-related matters are made without input from employees, this can be a sign of tyranny in the office and bad leadership that has led to toxicity. It may also mean that people with less seniority or experience on particular issues are not being heard.
This can lead to employees feeling disconnected from the company, which is detrimental to workplace morale and productivity. Employees need to feel like they are part of a team in order to be motivated. When their opinions or ideas are not valued by management it creates a work environment where people do not want to work together toward a common goal (or be heard).
Employees Are Micromanaged and Constantly Monitored
Another sign of a toxic work environment is when employees are constantly monitored and micromanaged. This can be due to a lack of trust between management and their team, or because they just want more control over what is happening in the office. When people feel as though there is no room for growth within the company it can lead to feelings of stagnation and unhappiness.
Also, if employees feel as though they are constantly being watched, it can result in a feeling of distrust and paranoia in the office. This is not only uncomfortable for employees but also makes them less productive.
Roles and Responsibilities Are Unclear or Changing Constantly
When roles and responsibilities are unclear or constantly changing, it can be a sign that the company is in chaos. This usually happens when there is a lack of communication amongst employees and leadership.
If roles and responsibilities are always changing, it can be difficult for employees to keep track of what they are supposed to be doing. In addition, this can result in a lack of trust amongst colleagues as people feel like they are not able to do their job effectively.
When the hierarchy is unclear, it can lead to a lack of productivity as well as dissatisfaction from employees. What is more, this will make their work-life more difficult since they do not know what is expected of them or how to go about completing certain tasks.
Workload Is Excessive and Unrealistic
If employees are constantly feeling overworked and overwhelmed by their workload, it can be a sign that the company is asking too much of them. When people feel like they are constantly running behind and unable to catch up, it can result in feelings of frustration, low self-esteem, and stress.
When the workload is excessive and unrealistic, it can be difficult for employees to focus on their job duties. This can lead to a lack of productivity and mistakes that may affect the company in negative ways, such as fines or lawsuits.
This will also make employees unhappy since they will not be able to complete their work effectively; which is not only frustrating for them but it shows management that they are unable to do what is expected of them. That will only lead to more work. Stress and increased workload can also seriously disrupt the work-life balance of everyone in the company, leading only to more problems and bad news.
There Is a Lack of Trust, Transparency, and Respect Between Employees and Management
When there is a lack of trust, transparency, and respect between employees and management, it can be a sign of a toxic work environment. This usually happens when people are not open to communicating with one another or when they do not feel comfortable doing so.
If there is a lack of trust, transparency, and respect in the office, it will lead to employees feeling as though they cannot speak up or voice their opinions. This will create an environment where people are not open to having conversations about what is working and what is not, which can lead to a lack of trust between management and the team (often only resulting in more issues).
This may also mean that employees feel like they are not being heard by managers, which can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment.
Conclusions
When the negative signs are in the office, it can be a sign of larger issues within an organization. It is important for the managers to recognize these signs and do something about them so that they do not lead to bigger problems down the road.
It is best to address any concerns employees have before things get out of hand. If management is not transparent and employees do not feel comfortable communicating with one another, it will only lead to further issues in the future. At the same time, if they voice the issues of the toxic environment and are not heard, they have to be able to recognize the possible consequences of working in a hostile workplace and choose their own mental and physical health over the toxic work environment.
Creating a healthy and positive work environment takes effort from everyone involved. By being aware of the red flags, management can work on creating an environment where employees feel comfortable and productive.
Related Articles
The 19 Most Glaring Signs That You Are In A Toxic Work Environment
Interview: Signs Of Toxic Boss
How To Neutralize Your Toxic Boss!
