T.O.X.I.C. Recognizing Toxicity: Overload, Exploitation, and Conflict in the Workplace

Let’s face it: wants to accept that his or her organization is toxic. If you wake up each morning more tired than when you went to sleep, then it may be high time to get a real picture of what is going on. Toxic work cultures may be marked by status and incremental experiences that make you doubt the overall health and happiness of the people involved in toxic work culture.

T: Triggers to Stressful Events

What emotions do you get when going to work particularly the office environment? Is there that bundle of things that as soon as triggers your temper? Maybe it can be an email from your superior that sends shivers down your spine or a teammate whose interruption annoys you to the core every time they approach you. Now you have to define those stimuli that result in stressful conditions that cause a racing heart, or a kick in the stomach.

For instance, let’s assume that you are engaged in a project, and your co-worker Mark has been interrupting your work and sharing his input even when it is unnecessary. You get angry or irritated, do you? Ask yourself: Why does this trigger me? Do you get upset because you feel threatened, or do you just get annoyed with his interference?

To work through these triggers, contemplate using a trigger journal. Every time you get annoyed, write the context, the cue, and your behavioural response. And in the future, often you will be able to identify mass patterns, allowing you to solve problems more calmly the next time. Just like any other condition, the first thing to do when dealing with triggers is to recognize them.

Practical Approach: List down three specific trigger factors experienced at your workplace. Develop a strategy for one of them to be acted out the following work week.

O: Feeling Overwhelmed: Dealing with an Overload of Responsibilities

Have you ever woke up, with a full schedule on your mind but just got to the office, and sat down at your desk only to be overwhelmed by the rush of emails and reports? Well, this simply is the welcome to the world of overload of responsibilities. You set out to work on your tasks and within no time, you realize it is evening yet much has not been achieved.

In the survey conducted by Gallup, it was revealed that more than half of the employees admitted that they are overwhelmed with the amount of work that they are given (Gallup, 2023). If you are within this statistic, you need to do something about it.

Here’s a strategy: create a daily priority list. For each day make a note of the three most imperative activities that are to be accomplished. This can help you move your attention from the unending entries of the e-mail to what is important in life. No achievement should go uncelebrated so be sure to acknowledge all the small victories.

X: Exploitation of Employee Efforts

I am sure many of you have ever found yourselves typing- ‘the company is treating us like horses.- ‘ This feeling often leads to burnout and resentment eXploitation of employee efforts can manifest when your hard work goes unnoticed or when you’re asked to take on more than your fair share of responsibilities.

According to a survey conducted through OfficeVibe, 72% of the workers reported that they feel unappreciated at their workplace (OfficeVibe, 2023). You might be one of them, but what do you do for it?

First of all, it is useful to make a work diary where you record your achievements. Before the performance appraisal interview, this record will come in handy to defend your efforts whenever you feel overwhelmed. If you have the feeling that you are not valued enough, do not wait and call the meeting with your supervisor. This is a good chance to talk about your input and state that you also deserve some credit. Keep in mind that self-promotion is crucial.

Self-Advocacy Action: Describe three accomplishments made in the past month and how they supported collaboration and performance. Take this list to your next meeting with your manager.

I: Interpersonal Conflicts with Others

Ah, the fascinating jazz of organizational politics! Conflicts within an organization are draining and generate negative vibes in the workplace. Have you ever thought about how you could be collaborating on a project with someone, only to end up arguing with the person? Reflect on this: What part did you play in that situation?

Handling interpersonal relationships at the workplace is complex, but mastering the art of communication can be a lifesaver. Here is how to make requests in a conflict situation: Change the message from ‘You’ messages to ‘I’ messages. For instance, do not start with: ‘You never listen to me.’ Instead try to say: ‘I do not feel listened when…’ It has the effect of calming the situation and providing a foundation for constructive conversation.

Conflict Resolution Step: Select one person in the workplace with whom you have had a conflict. It is crucial to find ways how to talk to them to clear misunderstandings and establish ways to work well together in the future.

C: Communication Problems in Teams

How frequently do you get ambiguous about your assignments or the goals of specific projects? Workplace communication often fails and this leads to such factors as misunderstandings and the development of frustration.

The same study published by ClearCompany in 2023 also revealed that about 65% of workers claimed that lack of sufficient communication made them unclear of their roles (ClearCompany, 2023). Such a breakdown can lead to time and energy wastage.

To counter this, forward correspondence after a meeting detailing the critical points that were discussed and decisions made. It sets a marker for all the stakeholders which makes it easier to work towards that goal in the future. When you are having trouble or when you are unsure whether you have understood your assignments correctly feel free to ask for clarification.

Communication Enhancement Idea: Give each team the responsibility of initiating a communication board through which they can post messages and share information. This can help avoid dust-ups and misunderstandings within that particular team or with other teams/individuals.

Final Thoughts

It is important to know the signs of a toxic workplace if you want to keep yourself healthy and happy. Finally, you can prevent an overload of responsibilities by identifying stressful situations, defending against the eradication of efforts by employees, reconciling with coworkers despite internal conflicts, and avoiding misunderstanding in teams by identifying where the communication may have gone wrong.

Take a moment to reflect: If you could make just ONE tiny tweak on the job today, what would that change be? Do not forget that you are the master of this territory and you are fully capable of safeguarding your serenity. Indeed, it is mental health that is most important in any environment, especially the workplace.

Blog Title: T.O.X.I.C. Recognizing Toxicity: Overload, Exploitation, and Conflict in the Workplace