A company’s culture significantly affects how the employees feel, behave, and perform at work. However, when the environment becomes negative, harmful, or toxic, their mental health and productivity are impacted. Micromanagement, mockery, bullying, discrimination, or the fear of speaking up are signs that point to deeper issues at the organizational level. Recognizing these red flags early is essential for maintaining a positive workplace culture. In case the culture gives room to harassment, intimidation, or retaliation, consulting a workplace harassment lawyer becomes vital. In this blog, we will walk you through the signs of a toxic company culture and highlight the role of these lawyers. So, let’s get started!
Signs of a Toxic Work Culture That You Should Know About
Here are some of the most common signs that indicate that your workplace has a toxic culture:
Confusion About Roles and Responsibilities:
When the roles and responsibilities of each employee are not clear, they may experience stress about expectations. This eventually leads to workplace dysfunction and conflicts among co-workers. To avoid such conflicts, it is best if the role of each employee and what is expected from them is communicated clearly from the beginning.
Office Gossip and Bullying:
There are many offices where gossip happens to a toxic extent. Instead of talking to each other politely and clearly, many employees are seen whispering, making remarks, or staring at their co-workers. When the situation gets more serious, this may lead to bullying, which may lead to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Any Form of Harassment:
Harassment can occur in many forms, such as racial, sexual, or disability-related. When things get extreme, this comes in the way of a person’s success. Harassment at the workplace is also known to make employees feel unsafe and affect their well-being. In such cases, you should consider seeking the help of a workplace harassment lawyer.
Stereotypes or Discrimination:
Stereotypes or discrimination on the basis of age, gender, religious beliefs, or other similar grounds also contribute to a toxic workplace. In the new era, another new kind of discrimination has surfaced, one that happens against remote employees only. If you also feel that you are being discriminated against by your employer or being denied opportunities for any reason, you must hire a discrimination attorney.
Abusive Management and Leaders:
When the supervisors at a workplace are abusive or set unrealistic or unethical goals, a poor work-life balance comes into the picture. For example, a manager may ask an employee to devote extra hours at work. But this may either not be documented or the employee may not get the payment for the same. This is one of the primary reasons why workplace cultures start becoming toxic.
Lack of Any Boundaries:
In a toxic workplace, the boundaries between personal and professional life are often ignored. Employees may be expected to answer calls or emails outside working hours or be overburdened with unrealistic responsibilities and workloads. This shows that there is no respect for others’ time or personal space, which leads to burnout, stress, and negative feelings among the employees.
Constant Disrespect or Humiliation:
A toxic company culture also includes frequent disrespect or humiliation to the extent that a workplace harassment lawyer may get involved. Examples include harsh criticism, dismissive behavior, or public shaming. When employees feel that they are being belittled or their ideas are being ignored, it creates a hostile environment where morale keeps falling and confidence is reduced.
Neglect or Exclusion
Sometimes, certain employees are left out of meetings, not included in the decision-making processes, or unwelcome at team activities. This fosters feelings of unfairness or isolation among these employees. The result is that teamwork is hindered and shows that there’s a lack of respect towards specific individuals at the workplace. This is one of the most alarming signs of a toxic workplace culture.
How a Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Attorney Can Help You
A workplace harassment and discrimination attorney can be a pillar of support when you are dealing with unfair or abusive treatment at the workplace. They will start by helping you understand what qualifies as harassment or discrimination. Then, they teach you how to document incidents and also explain your rights under the law. Thanks to their expertise, you will be able to make informed decisions regarding addressing workplace issues without risking your job.
But does such an attorney only offer legal advice? No. They also become your voice during negotiations, help you navigate internal investigations, and keep track of paperwork and deadlines. If you want to pursue a lawsuit or file a complaint with the EEOC, they support your case. All in all, their goal is to protect your rights and hold your employer accountable for their actions.
Summing Up
That brings us to the end of this blog, where we discussed some of the most apparent signs of toxic workplace culture. By recognizing these red flags, you will be able to determine whether you have been treated wrongly or unfairly. If you feel like you have been harassed, you must not stay silent. You need to consult an experienced workplace harassment lawyer who can guide you through the different legal options available so that your rights can be protected. Take the time to research and choose a qualified lawyer who can help you.
Want to talk to a trusted attorney regarding your employment issues? Reach out to Mijares Law Group today!
