NIRVANA

A toxic workplace can severely impact a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Many people have experienced toxic workplaces while some are suffering quietly. A toxic workplace is a negative environment which can take the form of disrespect, verbal or physical harassment,bullying, humiliation, unethical behaviour, micromanagement, and poor communication.

The Impact of Toxic Workplaces

Toxic work environments can take a severe toll on a person including anxiety, stress, low morale, decreased self-worth, depression, and physical illnesses with lasting impact. Moreover, it can result in a significant reduction in the person’s productivity and engagement. It can be caused by a company’s toxic culture, leadership, or toxic individuals. Toxic work environments do not only affect the person but cascade to his or her family relationships as well.

I remember being twenty-two and had a boss who would yell, hit his hand on the table, and treat his employees as if it was during the “slavery period”. His way of leading was to instill fear in the employees. On Sundays, I would get nauseous because I would already dread going to work on Monday. Toxic managers are often manipulators and will treat you as a “nothing “.

It was only during an appraisal where I had to fill a line where I could put my comments. On that line, I wrote that I could have performed better if I was in a positive work environment. That line invited questions where my boss had to explain his behaviour. After that incident, his behaviour became more humane. That was not the only toxic individual that I encountered.

What does the LAW state about Employee Rights?

It is important to know about the laws in your country with regards to employee rights. At the age of twenty-two I was not aware about the law. Then one day, I got curious and I browsed the Mauritius Worker’s Rights Act.

As per below, the Section 114 mentions that no person shall harass, sexually or otherwise, assault, verbally abuse, swear at or insult or humiliate in any manner whatsoever, express an intention to cause harm to, bully or use threatening behaviour towards, use aggressive gesture indicating intimidation, contempt or disdain towards,or by words or act, hinder.

Setting Boundaries

Now that we know what is acceptable or not acceptable by the LAW, we can clearly measure whether someone is in alignment with what the law says. In my opinion, I believe that if a person is experiencing a toxic workplace, the first step would be to communicate clearly in-person or via a professional email to the person or company who is causing the toxic behaviour.

State your boundaries clearly for instance: “I do not appreciate that you speak to me in this tone”. An HR individual might also be involved. Document every time that the person violates your boundaries including details of the incident, time, and date. If the person’s behaviour repeats, it would be time to pull the trigger and make an official report or statement.

You may also take legal action but in my own experience, the matter usually gets settled before going legal. However, if it is a more complex case or involving physical harassment then I believe immediate action should be taken.

Seek Support

Dealing with a toxic work environment is not easy hence it is necessary to seek support whether it’s someone you trust, a life coach, psychologist, or even a lawyer for legal advice if need be. A toxic individual may try to undermine your worth and cause you to doubt yourself. It is important to know that you are not alone.

Engage in Self-Care

Engage in self-care activities such as meditation, yoga, or brisk walks in nature. Pause, reflect, and journal your emotions. Breathwork can help to calm the mind. These mindfulness techniques will help to bring clarity in tough situations.

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My Conclusion

Boundaries are about honouring your self-respect, defining what truly matters to you, and prioritising your mental and emotional health.

Toxic work environments results in decrease in job satisfaction and productivity leading to high turnover and absenteeism. Furthermore, it has a negative impact on the physical, mental, and emotional health of a person such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. Toxic individuals are often victims of their own life circumstances but until they do not face their circumstances they will continue to pollute workplaces.

On the other hand, positive workplaces fosters respect, professionalism, cooperation, trust, accountability, mental well-being, personal growth, healthy conflict management, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.

As someone who has experienced both toxic and positive workplaces, I believe that as long as you are firm and strict on your boundaries, any person irrespective of their position who will dare to cross your boundaries will need to face the consequences. Your values and your boundaries are not to be bargained with.

Yashna Veera, Life Coach and Yoga & Meditation Practitioner