Navigating Toxic Work Environments: When to Stay and When to Leave

Have you ever found yourself in a working environment where gossiping, backbiting, betrayal, and the struggle for favor from superiors is the order of the day? I am talking about an environment where insults and rebukes are seen as the ideal means to correct mistakes. Yes, an environment where the boss takes all the praise and blames the staff for any misfortune. I am talking about an environment where micromanagement is seen as best practice. If you answer 'yes' to all the indicators above, then you are in a toxic work environment.

A healthy workplace is supposed to have an enabling ambience that supports professional development and provides emotional care for each member of staff. Such an environment promotes positivity and respects the views of each staff member, regardless of their position. There is no internal politicking and fighting for superiority.

The Root Causes of Workplace Toxicity
Workplace toxicity is largely influenced by leadership style and workplace culture. Yes, leadership plays a huge role. The leader drives the organization with his philosophy and experiences gathered over the years. It is most likely that if the head of an organization experienced toxicity in his infancy or throughout his work experience, he will unknowingly transfer the same energy to his subordinates. Toxicity, therefore, is a cycle.

Most leaders believe that being violent, rebuking employees, and employing the divide-and-rule strategy is the best way to achieve the organization's objectives. Unfortunately, this strategy creates needless tension, fear, and apathy and makes the workplace toxic. When employees feel loved, appreciated, and listened to, they give their all. Higher attrition rates at our various workplaces can be linked to the leadership styles employed by whoever is in authority.

Recognizing the Signs
If you dread going to work every morning or suffer migraines consistently, if you experience a frequent rapid heartbeat and get scared anytime you see a phone call from your boss, then it is very likely that you are in a toxic environment. Such an environment is not good for both your physical and mental health.

What Do You Do When You Find Yourself in a Toxic Environment?

You can't change a toxic leader, not to mention the system that creates toxicity itself. An attempt to change a toxic system will be met with fierce resistance. Over time, people who find themselves in toxic environments become very used to it and normalize every toxic activity. Most toxic systems have slogans such as "that's how it is done here" or "we have been doing it this way for a long time."

You cannot handle a toxic leader. The only way out is to escape. Yes, escape for your own peace of mind. Escaping is not easy because toxic leaders oftentimes make their employees or subordinates feel as though they can't do without them, and the fear of struggling to secure a new role also comes in. That is one of the reasons most people are still in their toxic work environments, but when you take the bold decision to move, you will be welcomed with beautiful and unexpected opportunities.

Planning Your Exit
Move if you find yourself in a toxic workspace. Don't just move but plan your exit very well. It is advisable to save at least 70% of your total earnings for 4-6 months before you finally exit. While saving, restructure your CV and start researching various job opportunities within your niche. If you finally get to move, you will appreciate how you were dying in your toxic environment.

I wish you well in your endeavors.
The author, Alpha Osei Amoako, is a social commentator and an educationist with a special interest in educational leadership.

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