Race for the Exit: 14 Telltale Signs You’re Trapped in a Toxic Work Environment

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Are you feeling too stressed out and stuck in a job that’s stealing your energy? 

Do you find yourself dreading work every single morning despite the fact that you don’t even know why anymore? 

If so, it may be time to evaluate whether or not it’s time to quit. 

For many of us, we get so accustomed to our 9-5 jobs that we don’t question if they are actually right for us until months, maybe even years later. 

Even though harsh reality can be hard to face, it is important for your own physical and mental wellbeing as well as overall happiness to make sure the job you’re doing is one that truly works for who you are and what you want out of life. 

Here are 14 telltale signs from personal experience on when it could be time to start considering quitting your job!

1. Conflicting Instructions

Have you ever found yourself in a frustrating situation where your boss gives you conflicting instructions or makes requests that seem impossible to fulfill? 

If this is an all-too-familiar scenario for you, it might be a sign that you need to consider a change and explore new opportunities that align better with your goals and aspirations. 

Remember, your professional growth and fulfillment are worth prioritizing!

2. Co-Workers Ask For Help, But Never Return The Favor

Do you often find yourself being asked to help your co-workers with tasks and assignments, but when it’s your turn to ask for assistance they never return the favor?

This type of unprofessional behavior should not be tolerated. 

If this has become a frequent occurrence and is causing you undue stress, then it may be time to look for other job opportunities that offer more satisfying and meaningful work.

It is important to set boundaries and make sure that you are being treated with the respect and consideration that you deserve.

3. Gossip Culture

I once heard that toxic people reveal themselves when they talk about others. There will always be office gossip, though some are less conspicuous about their gripes with coworkers and will talk some colleagues down.

An employee warns that the office gossip who talks about others will do the same to you “when you aren’t around.”

4. Mediocre Performance Reviews

“Giving you mediocre performance reviews even though they praise you and don’t have any feedback on how to get a higher score,” declares an underappreciated worker.

Nothing shouts nasty boss more than giving a bad or underwhelming performance review. They usually come without warning, with no prior mention of the discrepancies. 

5. Horrible Bosses

It is the most obvious one, but we have all had the mini-dictator at work. One fleeing worker, safe with a new job after handing in notice, explains how her boss was.

“When I knew I was leaving, I was very vocal about the pay increase at my new job,” she recalls. “After I left, he gave everyone an extra dollar an hour.” 

6. Blue Mondays

“When you’re crying on your way to work,” says a female worker. This scenario is a red flag for employees, but it is time to consider a new path if your work affects your mental health.

“I used to sit in the parking lot and cry in my car before going to my last workplace,” agrees another unfulfilled soul. 

7. The ’60 Minutes’ Feeling

Many employees hate that feeling on a Sunday when they dread what is around the corner — the few hours until you press a shirt, pack your work bag and await the Monday alarm clock.

“I call it the ’60 Minutes feeling’,” says a commenter. “When I was a kid, my parents watched the show 60 Minutes, which was on Sunday evenings.”

8. That Awkward Silence

“Being quiet when certain people enter the office” is the first pick of the thread. Michael Scott’s relationship with H.R. killjoy Toby comes to mind with this trope, but we’ve all experienced the office ‘Karen.’

Sometimes, they are just difficult personalities; other times, they are just time vampires. “Oh man, the one person that tells the boss everyone’s secrets,” adds another familiar person. I hear you.

9. Micromanagers

“I left a job after a few months because of micromanagement,” shares a relieved worker. “I always thought that Office Space consultant scene was a hyperbolic joke until I actually had four people breathing down my neck several times a week.”

Ironically for control freaks, studies show that people with moderately cognitive jobs are more productive when given autonomy. 

10. Overtime for No Pay

Another observer states when “working many hours overtime each week is expected even though you are salary,” it may be time to move on.

Any worker should expect to cover extra hours sometimes, but not to the point of exploitation.

11. Playing Favorites

This one is mine. I have worked in environments where the boss is close friends with staff members.

Not that bosses shouldn’t have friends at work, but it’s hard to take when those friends get benefits like extra ‘professional development’ or personal days, better offices, or kinder working schedules. 

12. High Turnover Rate

According to one poster, it is a red flag if new faces keep appearing in your new job.

“If employees are hard to retain and you frequently see new coworkers,” warns the commenter. “you are working at a toxic place.”

13. Not Appreciated

There is nothing worse than getting in trouble for the one mistake you make while at the same time, never getting congratulated for all the good things you do.

While most people don’t need a celebration every time they do good, it is nice to be acknowledged every once in a while.

14. Thinking Twice Before Talking to Human Resources

Human resources are supposed to be there to support issues that you don’t feel comfortable discussing with your manager.

But when you are in an environment where you know you can’t talk to HR for fear of retaliation, you know you are in a toxic environment.

From passive aggressive behavior from co-workers, lack of acknowledgement from leadership for effort put in, hostility lurking around corners or even struggles finding purposeful conversations at all, these ten red flags can help identify if and when workplace toxicity has become too much.

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HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR BODY

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Under The Table Jobs That Pay Cash

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BEST UNDER THE TABLE JOBS THAT PAY CASH

How To Get A Raise At Work

Do you want to make more money? Of course you do! Sadly, most people wait until their review to ask for a raise and are disappointed when the answer is no.

A better solution is to follow a plan that ensures you get a raise of 5% or more.

HOW TO EARN A RAISE AT WORK

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LEARN WHAT FU MONEY AND HOW TO HAVE IT

This thread inspired this post.