Blueroomcare
Sometimes, work doesn’t feel right anymore. You dread Monday mornings. Your stomach churns during the commute to work. You’re constantly anxious about work, even on weekends. These are not signs of normal work stress, but signs of a toxic work environment. What are you to do, especially when bills are piling up and the job market is in a state of uncertainty? Here is a framework on how to make this difficult decision.
Signs of a Toxic Work Environment
Before you make any decision, you first have to identify what you are dealing with. What is a toxic work environment, exactly? It is not just a work environment where you are stressed, but a work environment where there are constant signs of a pattern of work mental health issues.
Some common signs include constant criticism without any feedback, intimidation and manipulation, a culture where people sabotage each other, ambiguous and changing goals where you are set up for failure, where you are intentionally kept in the dark, and where your workload is simply impossible to finish no matter how hard you try.
If you are experiencing these signs in your work environment, then you are in a toxic work environment.
The Mental Health Cost of a Toxic Work Environment
The cost of staying in a toxic workplace isn’t just that you’re not happy; you’re also being harmed. The cost of staying in a toxic work environment includes anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, physical symptoms, and damaged self-esteem, not just at work, but also outside.
The cost of staying is not something to be underestimated, considering that you’re not just at work 8 hours a day; you’re at work 40+ hours a week, and that’s a lot of time to be damaging your mental health.
When Staying Makes Sense (Temporarily)
While it’s true that staying in a toxic work environment isn’t ideal, it’s also true that you might not be in a position to leave immediately. It’s acceptable to recognize that you’re staying because you can’t leave, and to start working on a plan to leave. Consider staying if you have a plan to leave, you have financial obligations that require you to stay and earn money with no safety net, you’re gaining skills that will improve your future job prospects, or you’re able to set boundaries that will help you cope with the toxicity.
The key word is “temporarily.” Being in a toxic work environment is a decision that should have an end point, not a resignation to permanent suffering. This is the time to work on your exit plan and improve your CV and network of contacts. You should also save some money for a financial safety net.
When to Leave a Toxic Work Environment Immediately
Certain situations require an immediate exit from a company despite any financial concerns. You should leave your job as soon as possible if you are being subjected to harassment, discrimination, or bullying and the HR department is not doing anything about it, if your health is deteriorating (panic attacks, illness, high stress levels), if you are developing severe mental health problems such as suicidal tendencies, if the work environment is unsafe and illegal, and if staying in the company is damaging your professional reputation.
Your health is not something that is up for debate. No job is worth sacrificing your health for. If you are in a situation that requires immediate exit from a company, consider all options and save up some money for a safety net and even look into a therapist on Blueroomcare.
A Framework For Making a Decision
Be honest with yourself and try to answer these questions:
- Is my mental health in a bad state? (Check your mental health condition and see if it is deteriorating.)
- Can I set some boundaries around my situation? (Toxic environments sometimes offer some level of protection.)
- What is my financial situation? (How long can you afford to not have a job?)
- Are there alternatives in terms of employment? (Even bad alternatives.)
- What is the opportunity cost of my decision? (Time wasted, mental health ruined, lack of confidence.)
If you are in a bad mental state, then you have your answer. Nothing is more important in these cases. If you are in a bad state but managing, then make a concrete decision and set timelines.
Takeaway
Whether you choose to stay in your job or transition out of it, support is necessary in making a decision and coping with the mental health effects of your decision.
You don’t have to make this decision by yourself. Your mental health in your workplace is important, and one of the hardest decisions you will make is whether you choose your financial situation or your mental health. Whatever you choose, make it actively rather than passively.
- Need support? Start your care journey by booking a confidential therapy session and accessing daily journaling and wellness check-ins through the Blueroomcare App.
- Looking for more guidance? Explore our blog for more mental health tips.
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