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Work

What should you do if you work in a toxic workplace?

What should you do if you work in a toxic workplace?

If you find yourself in a workplace with a terrible culture, then it’s important that you think carefully about your next move. If you don’t believe the situation will improve then looking for another job has to be a priority for the sake of your mental and physical health.

In your exit interview – assuming one exists – you can outline the reasons for your departure in order to help others in a similar position.

If, however, leaving is not an option for you, it’s important to approach the situation thoughtfully and ethically, particularly if you’re thinking of making allegations via social media.

Here are some steps to consider:

Document the issues

Before taking any action, gather evidence and documentation of what you consider to be problematic practices. These could include emails, messages, photos or any other relevant material that highlights the issues you want to address.

Any kind of recordings require consent and may breach privacy laws so that needs to be taken into consideration.

Understand the consequences

Exposing workplace practices can have both positive and negative consequences. While it might bring attention to the issues, it could also result in legal action, or even damage to your own professional reputation.

Reporting inappropriate cultural practices or behaviours should never produce negative consequences for the person reporting them. However, in toxic workplaces anything is possible.

Speak to management

If you feel able to approach your manager or HR department (if your manager is the problem) to talk about the issues in confidence then that’s what you should do. Depending on the action they take, there may not be a need to make the issue public.

Detox Your Culture by Colin D Ellis

Detox Your Culture by Colin D Ellis.

Whistle-blowing

If your organisation employs a whistle-blowing approach to feedback, then this could be a way for you to lessen the risk of any consequences you feel may come your way.

If you decide to use social media, think about whether you want to reveal your identity. Depending on the severity of the issues, you might want to consider posting anonymously to protect yourself from potential repercussions.

However, there are many examples, where management turns a blind eye to toxic culture or else are unwilling to do anything about it. For some, the only option left is to use social media and make their grievances public. This should only be considered as a last resort, because of the attention and potential litigation you open yourself up to.

If, however, you believe the allegations are too big to stay quiet on and you do decide to go public, then here are some suggestions:

  • Appropriate channel: Choose a social media platform that is appropriate for the message you want to convey. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn or even Glassdoor might be suitable for professional concerns, while Instagram or TikTok might be more visual and engaging.
  • Craft a thoughtful message: Be clear, concise and objective in your messaging. Stick to facts and avoid personal attacks. Focus on the issues at hand rather than venting frustration.
  • Protect sensitive information: Avoid sharing sensitive or confidential information that could harm individuals or the company itself. Stick to general practices and behaviours that are causing problems, rather than naming specific individuals.
  • Offer solutions: Alongside highlighting the issues, propose potential solutions to the problems you’re addressing (provided they’re not purely behaviour related). This shows that you’re not just complaining, but genuinely interested in making positive changes.
  • Prepare for backlash: Be prepared for potential backlash, both from your employer and the public. Make sure you are mentally and emotionally prepared for any negative responses that may come your way.
  • Legal implications: Understand the legal implications of your actions. Depending on your jurisdiction and the nature of your actions, you could be subject to defamation or other legal actions.
  • Seek external advice: Consider seeking advice from legal professionals, your union representative (if you have one), colleagues, friends, or family members before taking any action. They can offer different perspectives and insights that might help you make an informed decision.
  • Monitor and engage responsibly: If you do decide to expose workplace practices on social media, be prepared to engage responsibly with the discussions that arise. Be open to constructive criticism and avoid escalating conflicts.

Remember that the decision to expose workplace practices is not without its risks. It should always be dealt with internally to begin with and if you don’t feel like your concerns are being addressed then you need to think carefully about your next steps.

It will come as no surprise to you that I recommend that you leave any organisation that doesn’t treat its people with respect. However, as a realist, I understand that this is not always possible to do.

If you feel that you’re being physically threatened or harassed, then you should gather your evidence and consider reporting the incident to the authorities. It’s a sad fact that many people still face varying levels of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, so if it feels safe for you to speak up, either internally or externally, then it can help.

That said, anyone who notices any kind of inappropriate behaviour directed  at an individual or group of individuals should also speak up. Too many cultures have turned toxic because people have turned a blind eye to what they’ve seen: don’t be that person.

Colin D Ellis

This article was written by Colin D Ellis, and is an edited extract from his book Detox Your Culture.

Colin is a five-time best-selling author and culture consultant. Learn more and find out what kind of workplace culture you have right now at colindellis.com/culture-quiz