Most people complain about their jobs from time to time, but could job dissatisfaction be due to a toxic workplace? No work environment is perfect as it is comprised of imperfect human beings. However, there is a huge difference between day-to-day stresses and oppressive working conditions that hinder productivity and devalue employees. This could be due to several factors, a few of which will be examined here. Perhaps you are wondering if it is just you, but take an objective look around. Do you find a high turnover, and that good people never stay? This could be a symptom of deeper issues in the workplace.

One of the most obvious signs of a toxic workplace is that bad behavior is condoned. Many workplaces have anti-harassment or anti-bullying policies but are those actually enforced? Are the conditions that lead to bullying in the workplace actually being cultivated? This may be encouraging a cliquish environment where favoritism is based on connections rather than on production. You may feel like you have been left out of the loop or that something is going on behind your back. This can also take the form of one or more co-workers going out of their way to intimidate you, overtly or covertly. You may feel constantly under attack, having to waste valuable production time “watching your back”, in the event you are made into the office scapegoat at the first mistake.

If this feeling persists, you probably aren’t wrong. In many instances there are vague policies in place and if HR and Management is either absent or inaccessible they may be turning a blind eye to what is really going on in their own workplace. Sometimes the oppressor has a personal connection to Management so they feel above office policy. Other times superstars of the company do rise to the top legitimately but use their status to lord over others in the office, making any kind of teamwork impossible. It is one thing to be working with some difficult or eccentric people but quite another when your work suffers because of subtle or flagrant antagonism. You work in a place of business, not a school yard and a “mean kid” mentality should not be supported. If office politics is more important than the company mandate, then your work environment is surely toxic.

Do you find yourself doing jobs you were not hired to do, for which you are neither paid nor given credit? This may be due to inadequate staffing or perhaps taking on duties that should be performed by someone else. Written job descriptions can define what you are hired to do, however a lot can be justified under “other duties as assigned”. The duties you are actually performing may not be in line with that for which you were hired and are paid. If you feel you are being taken advantage of, then you may well be. While this may or may not be intentional, if you find that overtime is expected as a natural part of the work environment, especially if that overtime is unpaid, your work/life balance will no doubt be taking an unhealthy turn. Your company doesn’t own you and should realize that you do have other commitments. While occasionally you may be required to go an extra mile, if that “extra mile” becomes part of your regular routine you may have to take a stand.

So what are your options should you find yourself in a toxic environment? Quitting may or may not be on the table as a course of action and really should be a last resort. Remember, the working conditions are not your fault. Start by identifying your exact grievance and documenting instances of it occurring, who was involved, dates, etc. Stick to the facts and keep excess emotion and rancor out of it. Propose a solution if possible. Remember you are trying to be as proactive as you can. Do not lower yourself to vindictiveness or revenge. Then, see what recourse you do have. If your company has policies in place then go through company channels to open up a communication that is mutually beneficial. If there is no formal policy, then speak to your immediate supervisor, or to Human Resources. It is theresponsibility of Management and HR to ensure that the work environment is as conducive as possible to the company goals and that elements counter intuitive to this are nipped in the bud. However, if that is easier said than done or the ones that you would be reporting to are the sources of the dissent, maybe it is time to upgrade your resume and start looking for something else. Your workplace is where you will spend almost half of your waking hours. If it is toxic, it will be damaging to your health, your well being and other aspects of your life. A change could be for the better.