Healthy or Toxic Workplace?

Is the Atmosphere at Your Workplace Healthy?

Does a workplace with an excellent atmosphere even exist? And what really affects the atmosphere at work? Surely, we all hope we don’t have to spend our working days just trying to survive. In a healthy workplace, people experience success together and show genuine care for one another. When the atmosphere is good, going to work feels meaningful.

I’ve seen both wonderful workplaces and those where people are clearly struggling. The truth is, many of us have at least some influence over the atmosphere in our own workplace.

One key factor that strongly affects the workplace atmosphere is leadership. Good leadership creates a company culture where people either thrive – or, at worst, constantly feel on edge. Which end of the spectrum becomes reality depends on many things. But it’s not just up to the leaders – each of us can contribute to a better workplace culture.

How to Recognize a Toxic Workplace

Here are some signs that the atmosphere at work may be toxic:

• The workplace feels unsafe – there’s no consistency, and behavior is inappropriate. People might be shouted at or publicly punished.

• The culture is impulsive, risking the completion of important tasks.

• Contributions aren’t appreciated – employees feel like cogs in a machine. There’s no greeting, no thanks.

• A high turnover rate often signals deeper issues beneath the surface.

• Workplace bullying is always a sign of a serious problem.

• Employees are expected to make unreasonable sacrifices – work continually spills into personal time.

• There’s no open communication. A culture of fear prevails.

  
  

The Seven Atmosphere Breakers

These obstacles inevitably harm the workplace environment. There are seven in total: impatience, martyrdom, stubbornness, belittling, arrogance, greed, and sabotage. Here are four common ones and how they affect workplace well-being:

• Impatience leads to people constantly rushing and being mentally absent. As a result, tasks are poorly executed.

• Martyrdom shows up as cliques and constant complaining. There’s always someone to blame. This negativity drains energy.

• Stubbornness shuts down new and better ideas. Suggestions are dismissed, and old, ineffective routines remain.

• Arrogance causes criticism, bullying, and covering up mistakes – employees are always on edge.

  
  

  

  
  

A Few Tips on What You Can Do

• Be aware of how you act when you recognize a negative work environment.

• Stay calm, even if you feel a strong urge to react.

• Focus on doing your part as well as you can.

• If giving feedback is safe, bring up ideas for improvement.

• Aim to support a shared, positive direction through your actions.

“Company culture is the backbone of any successful business.” – Gary Vaynerchuk