How to Tell if You’re in a Toxic Work Environment (And What to Do About It)

Summary

Dr. Liane Davey's script explores the concept of a toxic work environment, identifying five key categories that can contribute to such conditions: harmful organizational policies, a negative culture, toxic bosses, problematic colleagues, and difficult customers. She advises viewers to assess their workplace against these factors and consider whether their discomfort might stem from personal narratives rather than actual toxicity. The video aims to help individuals determine if their work situation is detrimental and offers guidance on next steps.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Even one category of a toxic work environment, if severe enough, can be harmful to your health.
• 🏢 Toxic work environments can stem from organizational policies that are physically or psychologically unsafe or discriminatory.
• 📋 Unwritten rules and toxic culture, such as unrealistic expectations, toxic positivity, or abusive behavior, can contribute to a harmful work environment.
• 👩‍💼 Toxic bosses can cause daily stress, wear down self-esteem, and create an unhealthy work atmosphere.
• 🤝 Toxic colleagues can make you feel excluded, sabotage your efforts, or create a hostile work environment.
• 👥 Customers can also contribute to a toxic environment by being aggressive, making unrealistic demands, or threatening your safety.
• 🤔 Consider whether your work environment is truly toxic or if it's pushing your boundaries and causing discomfort that could lead to growth.
• 🧠 Sometimes what feels like a toxic environment might be due to personal discomfort with high expectations or constructive criticism.
• 💭 Negative self-talk or imposter syndrome might make you perceive your environment as toxic when it's not objectively so.
• 🔍 Reflect on whether the issues are truly external or if they're influenced by internal narratives or lack of skills in handling difficult situations.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Dr. Liane Davey's video?

The main purpose of Dr. Liane Davey's video is to help viewers assess whether their work environment is toxic and to provide guidance on identifying the different categories of toxic workplaces.

How many categories of toxic workplaces does Dr. Davey discuss in the script?

Dr. Davey discusses five categories of toxic workplaces in the script.

What is the first category of toxic work environment mentioned by Dr. Davey?

The first category is situations where the organization's policies and procedures, including the official written rules, are harmful to one's physical or psychological wellbeing.

Can a workplace be considered toxic if only one of the five categories is present?

Yes, a workplace can be considered toxic even if only one of the five categories is present, especially if that one issue is severe enough to threaten health.

What are some examples of physical threats in a work environment that Dr. Davey mentions?

Examples of physical threats include unsafe work conditions, presence of poisons or toxins, falling objects, and lack of privacy.

What does Dr. Davey suggest about the impact of a toxic boss on an individual's self-esteem?

Dr. Davey suggests that a toxic boss can wear down an individual over time, causing daily stress and potentially leading the person to question their self-esteem or self-worth.

What is the role of 'toxic culture' in creating a toxic work environment according to the script?

Toxic culture refers to unspoken rules and norms within an organization that may encourage unhealthy behaviors, such as high expectations that no one can meet, a culture of toxic positivity, or acceptance of abusive language and actions.

How does Dr. Davey differentiate between a toxic work environment and a situation that is merely uncomfortable?

Dr. Davey suggests that a toxic work environment is one that poses a psychological or physical danger, while a merely uncomfortable situation might be pushing one's boundaries or requiring adaptation to higher performance standards.

What advice does Dr. Davey give regarding the handling of criticism in the workplace?

Dr. Davey advises that criticism of work can be acceptable and is not necessarily toxic. The key is to differentiate between constructive feedback and belittling, and to develop skills in handling feedback and advocating for one's ideas.

What is the potential impact of 'imposter syndrome' on one's perception of the work environment according to Dr. Davey?

Imposter syndrome can lead individuals to feel that their contributions are not valid or worthy, causing them to believe they cannot speak up or disagree, which may falsely suggest a toxic environment when it is actually their own inner monologue.

What are some of the final considerations Dr. Davey suggests before deciding if one is in a toxic environment?

Dr. Davey suggests considering whether the discomfort felt is due to genuine danger or just a push towards personal growth, and whether the toxicity might be stemming from one's own negative internal narratives rather than the actual work environment.