The Toxic Avenger: Surviving the toxic workplace

Well, now you’ve done it. You’ve taken the job and find yourself emerging from a giant vat of toxic waste. It is affecting your mental health, your moods, your attitude and you might even look like this guy:

Source: Troma

Are you at your limit? Is there hope for change? Do you just want to get out? Of course, you cannot just up and quit. You’ve only been there for less than a year! Most likely you are going to be stuck there for at least another 2-3 months if you are just beginning to look for a Plan B. How are you going to survive this nightmare? Well, first you need to know if your work environment is toxic or not. Here are some warning signs:

1) Office gossip
2) Cliques
3) Yelling / arguing in front of everyone
4) Constant closed doors and whispering
5) Micromanaging
6) Poor communication
7) Inconsistent expectations
8) Broken promises
9) Deadlines are vague or are moved on a whim
10) Work is made urgent with an unreasonable deadline for not reason whatsoever
11) You work for an asshole

There are many more examples. Now, to answer the question how to survive the environment, here are some helpful do’s and don’ts:

Do: Look for another job
Do: Take lunches, breaks, walks
Do: Try to talk to co-workers about other things outside of work
Do: Focus on the task at hand
Do: Set boundaries with co-workers, employees and managers if possible
Do: Do things that make you happy outside of work.
Do: Prepare yourself for your exit. Document, document, document.
Do: Practice writing your resignation letter
Do: Give adequate notice (2 weeks minimum) unless…

Don’t: Look for other jobs on company machines
Don’t: Let anyone at your office know you are looking for a job
Don’t: Get become or get picked up by a bitching snowball.
Don’t: Gossip
Don’t: Take sides in office conflicts.
Don’t: Quit without having another job lined up
Don’t: Try to change it if you know you aren’t going to be there long. Office culture is something that in most cases cannot be changed by a single individual.

The main goal here is to try and get out of this situation with another job and with your mental health intact. Be cognizant of how shitty work environments affect your relationships with your family, friends and other loved ones.

I cannot reiterate how important it is to try and pursue hobbies outside of work and to do things you enjoy.
We’ve discussed avoiding a toxic work environment and now how to survive it. Part 3 will be how to exit the toxic work environment (coming in a few weeks, I’m going on vacation!).