The past five years have been challenging to say the least. As a country, post-covid South Africa has been very slow to recover economically. In addition, we are seeing an increase in violence: contact and sexual crimes, there is an increase in kidnappings, and the online space is fraught with opportunists looking for a naive soul to con. Then there are soaring food prices, petrol prices, job shortages, and interest hikes – the list goes on. Many people are already emotionally depleted. We see negative news on repeat – propaganda at every turn, it’s become impossible to look away. Obviously this is having a profound impact on South Africans’ mental wellbeing. With all of the madness going on, what do you do when your work environment proves to be toxic and difficult? It can be very tricky and emotionally draining to navigate the perilous and tumultuous waters that is a negative work environment. But know that you are not alone. Hundreds of South Africans have expressed negative feelings about their working environments. In this article, we will look at some tell-tale signs of a toxic work environment, and what you can do about it. According to Career Contessa:
“A toxic work environment is like having all of these challenges on repeat, without a break. It’s red flags on top of red flags. It’s a passive aggressive boss or inappropriate comments from your coworkers about the person you replaced – reduced (or non-existent) boundaries.” – Career
Contessa https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/toxic-work-environment/
In conversation with a few professionals and drawing from personal experience, here are 5 signs to look out for:
- Cliqueness Within the Team
- Poor Communication
- No Leadership
- High Staff Turnover
- Your Body Just Says No
Cliqueness Within the Team
If you find yourself deliberately being excluded from certain social events within the work environment, you’re probably dealing with a clique. When your colleagues openly flaunt their closeness, it can be tough to feel left out and alienated. If despite your best efforts they make you feel like a leper, our advice would be not to compromise yourself by seeking said individuals’ approval or acceptance. This will only make you appear vulnerable, and the consequences would be more bullying and isolation. Also, this kind of thinking will keep you in a toxic cycle of self-criticism.
Poor Communication
If there is little communication regarding your day-to-day projects, zero camaraderie amongst staff members, and no team building exercises, these are serious red flags. More red flags would include your managers or leaders being unmotivated and unconcerned about their duties, and more interested in being popular, in control, being seen/heard – you need to “Yeet” yourself (slang: forcefully remove) from such an environment as soon as possible.
No Leadership
Lack of leadership is when the individuals incharge do not have the capability to deal with intricate or sensitive matters. A manager who is incapable of taking responsibility for their actions is in no position to lead or give direction. It will be very difficult to take said individual seriously or even respect such a person. If there is no accountability, the individual probably lacks emotional maturity, and the consequences may be that your growth is impacted.
A High Staff Turnover
If a company has an obvious “revolving door” problem, meaning, it is a place where people are coming and going – where job appointments are fast and without due process, this is a sign of a greater and serious problem with the company’s values.
Your Body Just Says No
If your workplace is compromising your mental health, and has little steps in place to assist you, it is time to leave. Going forward, the best advice we can offer is to plan a solid exit strategy. Secure new work as quickly as possible and plan ahead. Preserve your mental health at all costs. Talk to a professional, tell a loved one. Remember, your life is important and you matter. Simply put, do not waste your time slaving for a boss or manager who does not prioritise your wellness.