Toxic work culture

Don’t worry, it also happened to us, being excited about starting in the architecture “grown-up” world, being ready for your first day as an intern, or your first day in your real job, and just getting there and not being what you had expected. AT. ALL.

But we obviously end up staying, because we need money and experience (whichever you consider goes first).

So how do you differentiate a healthy work environment from a really toxic one?

Results are the only thing that matter

Most of the time it doesn’t matter if you are sick if you are tired if you haven’t had lunch even, they just care about the results, if you don’t deliver, then what are you doing there?

Fear is used to motivate

This is not a motivational conference type of thing, this is your boss thinking he is getting to the point by screaming, threatening, and ultimately leaving the room so everyone can get to work..

High anxiety and exhaustion

The feeling tired all of the time even if you sleep and don’t anything else. Feeling anxious by just waking up.

Fear of the boss

We get it, in a job, there has to be a hierarchy, but this doesn’t mean fear, it has to mean respect and admiration towards the ones above you, not fear.

Blame first, solution later

We all make mistakes, mistakes happen, and are part of the process to get things right, but what if where you work, all they do is blame instead of looking for a solution to avoid these types of mistakes?

Fear of failure

Not being able to step out of your comfort zone because you are scared that any new ideas will be shut down

Gossip and drama

Of course, people are going to talk, but not to the point where you feel like you are in a reality tv show and you are just waiting for who is the next person to run away due to gossip, and/or bullying.

No work-life balance

Now that most of us are working remotely from home, it doesn’t mean that we have to always be working, NO. You are not a robot, you need to have your space, your own life.

Narcissistic leadership

How is it supposed to work out if there is no team effort? If the “leader” only thinks about himself/herself?

Employee turnover

You are meeting new people every week, you have to introduce yourself again and again and again, where is the problem coming from?

How to deal with toxicity?

Find allies: Find people who feel like you, find a support system.
Document everything: If you feel that you’ll probably be stabbed in the back, document everything, have your own back.
Be transparent: Sometimes people are not aware of their own mistakes, so don’t be afraid to speak out, only if it is something that will be beneficial for you and your co-workers.
If it doesn’t work, find the exit: If you definitely don’t feel that any of these tips are working, and you are still feeling exhausted, then start planning your exit. Of course, start searching for a job, and don’t leave that one without having something secured first. You won’t regret quitting a toxic job, you’ll regret staying.