Is Your Working Environment Hazardous to Your Health?

5/11/22-Written by SJ

They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. The lie detector determined; that is a lie…sort of.

Unfortunately, loving what you do is only half the battle. The environment you do it in greatly determines mental and physical health, personal fulfillment, and motivation. So what are the positive and negative effects of your working environment and how can you navigate workplace challenges in a way that will be beneficial to your health and wellness?

What is a toxic working environment?

A toxic working environment is any professional situation that feels harmful, abusive, or unhealthy. According to Career Contessa’s “10 Signs You’re in a Toxic Work Environment,” attributes of a toxic workplace include:

• Lacks Communication

• Cliques/Exclusion /Gossiping

• Poor Leadership/Management

• Unmotivated Team Members

• No Opportunities for Growth

• High Turnover

How can a toxic working environment affect you?

A toxic workplace can affect your physical and mental health. Negative working environments can be pervasive, seeping into your home life and even your personal relationships.

The Portland Clinic recently outlined just a few of the ways a toxic working environment can affect your physical wellbeing:

• Headaches

• Stomach issues

• Poor sleep and exhaustion

• Depression and anxiety

• Easier to catch colds and common illnesses

• Chronic and autoimmune condition flare-ups

• Skin conditions

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes

• Abusing drugs/alcohol as a coping mechanism

• Unhealthy weight loss or weight gain

As if that’s not bad enough, The World Health Organization even reported that “harassment and bullying at work are commonly reported problems, and can have a substantial adverse impact on mental health.”

What is a positive working environment?

Experts at Michigan State University explain that a positive working environment should include trust, safety, cooperation, inclusivity, communication, and shared goals. The college suggests modeling positive behaviors, accountability, being grateful, collaboration, supporting diversity, being open-minded and encouraging, as well as “celebrating wins” are all ways individuals can contribute to a positive working environment.

How can a positive working environment benefit you?

Positive working environments can aid in your creativity, promote self-confidence, lessen stress, improve mental and physical health, and help to foster a work/life balance.

Think back to the worst job you’ve ever had. How was your general wellbeing at the time? Probably not great. Now, think about the best job you’ve ever had…see the difference? When you’re miserable for 8 or more hours a day, it affects everything and everyone around you—even when you aren’t at work. When you’re in a healthy environment, positivity radiates off of you as well.

Positive working environments benefit the company as well.

Let’s be honest, we know you’re employer likely won’t go out of their way to make a bunch of changes to your working environment just to benefit you (they should, but they won’t). However, many studies have shown a healthy work environment results in less turnover, increased motivation and productivity, and increased revenue (notably, more than 30%) a win-win for employees and employers alike.

A 2018 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, entitled “An Empirical Study Analyzing Job Productivity in Toxic Workplace Environments” concluded that a “toxic workplace increases the job burnout level of an employee. When an employee feels negative about the organization, [they tend] to compromise the productivity level of [their] performance, which could also increase the stress level of an employee.”

How can employers and leaders support a positive working environment?

The aforementioned study, “An Empirical Study Analyzing Job Productivity in Toxic Workplace Environments” recommends, “in every organization, HR departments and policy makers should develop and implement strict policies for eradicating a toxic workplace environment to make it collaborative and conducive for the employees.”

Employers owe it to their team members to help them move up in the company when they’re ready (and help them become ready to do so via a commitment to continued training). Additionally, employers should remain consistent in their communication with employees and accountable when something goes wrong…and, of course, mutual respect is important in any field.

How can you prioritize your health and wellbeing in the workplace?

Challenge yourself

Find ways to challenge yourself and grow. If leaders can support you in your growth, let them know your career aspirations and work with them to reach those goals. Consider making one-year, five-year, and ten-year career plans for yourself. Come out with a clear list of goals and how you intend to accomplish them.

Change up your routine so it doesn’t become monotonous

Experts suggest boredom in your routine highly affects your job satisfaction. This is particularly true if you’re navigating working from home or have a repetitive job. Consider changing up your daily routine if you’re able–maybe add some self-reflection time at the end of the day, or consider working from a coffee shop for the day instead of your house.

Create and enforce boundaries

Be firm with your boundaries. If you don’t answer emails after 5 pm, let your team members know you’ll be unavailable at that time and stay consistent. When boundaries are broken, hold people accountable and remind them of your expectations.

Advocate for yourself

Let leaders know what you need in a working environment. You have every right to voice your needs and concerns without retaliation. Your employer would be wise to listen to you and implement change. If you need special accommodations, tell them. If you need more training, ask them. If you’re having trouble with a coworker, let your bosses know.

Prioritize your self-care

Take care of yourself by prioritizing the things that bring you joy and making them part of your daily ritual. Ensure you get your afternoon cup of tea, pack your gym clothes so you can go immediately after work, schedule a lunch break call to your best friend, whatever it is, if it brightens your day, make it happen.

Find a mentor

Find someone who you look up to at work and learn everything you can from them. You’d be amazed what a new perspective can do for you. Experience is invaluable and taking the time to learn from someone who has been in their field longer than you can help you to expand your skillset. If your managers and leaders aren’t taking the time to teach you, learn from others with a proven track record.

Know when to walk away

All of these suggestions are well and fine, but if you’re dealing with problematic or abusive leaders, it is possible that all the action planning and reflection time in the world won’t change your environment.

We don’t take suggesting that anyone quit their job lightly, and we realize the place of privilege such a suggestion comes from. But if things become so toxic at work that they’re greatly affecting your health and wellbeing, and you’ve attempted communicating with those in charge to no avail, consider looking for another job.

Never stay at a job where you don’t feel valued or safe. Make a plan to exit. Take care of yourself. If your health is at risk, you’re not doing anybody, least of all yourself, any favors staying and trying to make a toxic job work.