Journal logo

Tips to Surviving a Toxic Work Environment

From Someone Who's Living It

By J. P. FrattiniPublished 4 years ago 5 min read
1
http://www.wellbeing.place/home/category/Sleep

It's safe to assume that we've all had a least one awful job. Maybe the actual duties of the position were terrible, or maybe your boss and/or coworkers made you miserable. Either way, it's something we have all experienced.

A toxic work environment can be among the most draining things out there. Not only can it hinder your ability to do the work, it can greatly hurt your emotional wellbeing and motivation in the long term. You'll dread waking up in the morning and dread going to bed at night at the thought of needing to go back. And if you already suffer from some sort of mental health issue, then it just becomes even more of a struggle.

I'm not a psychologist, or a life coach. However, with plenty of time on the job under my belt and a quite a few stories of bad bosses and incompetent employees, I thought I'd throw in some of my tips on how to survive a toxic work environment.

Tip #1: Be The Bigger Person

If you have a boss who is antagonizing or coworkers that gossip (sometimes even both), never stoop to their level. We've all gossiped at work at one point, and looking back it probably didn't make us feel much better about our situation. And it wouldn't help you to respond to your manager's condescending attitude with more condescension. It's so important to act like an adult and maintain your composure, even when it seems everyone is out to get you. It is difficult, but when everything goes south between your coworkers you will feel good about staying out of it. And it's better to simply smile and nod with your boss so you don't get on their bad side or worse, lose your job.

Side note: if someone is being straight-up aggressive towards you or insulting you, still try to be as professional as possible when you handle the situation. And if it persists, bring it up to your superior(s). It's their legal responsibility to provide a safe work environment and to neutralize a hostile one.

Tip #2: Talk to Someone

Larger companies will often have some sort of HR department that handles issues between coworkers. This resource will be your best line of internal defense to resolving whatever conflict may be present.

Now, some of you (including myself) are working for small businesses that are directly managed by the owner. This can get a little tricky if the issue stems from management itself, but it may actually help in resolving coworking issues faster.

But good resources for both of these situations are a trusted coworker that you're friendly with (though this still could be risky), a good friend with an outsider's perspective, or a professional. Because I have some other issues, I regularly see a psychologist. And throughout my rants about my workplace issues, he has helped me gain a lot of insight through just talking about it. It always helps to communicate what you're feeling. Even if it doesn't yield many results, it'll still feel better than keeping it all in.

Tip #3: Don't Attribute Your Worth To Your Job

Yes, this is much easier said than done. Just because you spend $100k on a degree to get that job, or can only get minimum wage positions, your job doesn't determine your value.

This is a thought spiral that probably impacts everyone to some extent at some point, and it can have some severe consequences. This is something that I'm still trying to work on, because eventually the depression and/or anxiety that comes from it can impact every facet of your life. No matter how many times your supervisor talks down to you, a coworker calls you an idiot, or you find yourself disappointed in your pay stub, no job determines your value as a person.

Tip #4: Don't Use Substances To Cope

It's easy to take advantage of Happy Hour, or the ever increasing availability of cannabis, but using a mind-altering substance to cope with the stressors of work is never a healthy thing to do. You can have your occasional drink or toke, that's not a problem. But if you drink or smoke every day after work, or binge on your days off, that will make you feel even worse. This will lead to a path of dependency. And when you start requiring a foreign substance to make you feel good again, that is when you start falling down a slippery slope.

Drowning your feelings in a bunch of restaurant margaritas is easy. But it is not productive, and will cause even more issues in the long run than it's worth. No matter how awful your job is, it's not worth jeopardizing your health.

Tip #5: Get Out As Soon As Possible

Yes, it can be difficult to find a new job. Yes, it's tempting to just throw your resignation at your boss and yell "I Quit" as triumphant music plays in the background. But the stress coming from the workplace is minuscule compared to the stress that comes from unemployment, just hold out until you get a new job.

Another side note: don't start slacking at work. It'll make the situation worse, you'll feel worse, and you may get fired.

Tip #6: Pursue A Passion Outside Of Work

Another "easier said than done" example, but this works wonders. Even with how draining your job might be, if you can get the discipline to work through it and pursue what you're passionate about during off-hours, you will feel so much better about yourself.

When you go out and spend your free time doing an activity you enjoy, you'll feel much more productive and fulfilled. The happier you are outside of work, the happier you'll be at work. Your reason for waking up will be "once I clock out, I can go do this."

Again, it takes discipline. And you may not notice any progress at first, but the more you just try to stay gainfully productive after work, the more you will grow as a person. And who's to say that your passion/hobby won't grow into a successful business that gains you the opportunity to leave your job. You won't know until you give it an honest shot.

Tip #7: Try To Grow From Your Experience

So, you've survived or are surviving. Try to analyze your environment, figure out what it is that may be causing all the issues. Research companies that have good reputations, don't let the anxiety of being in a bad job keep you from pursuing opportunities. It can be nerve-racking to potentially leave a toxic employer and run the risk of landing back in a new one. But don't let your anxiety hold you back. Grow, learn, and broaden your horizons.

You'll all make it out, don't let your job consume you.

advice
1

About the Creator

J. P. Frattini

Culture, music, politics, art. It's all fair game to me

Follow Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejpfrattini

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.