Toxic workplaces can be downright awful and turn a fun job into a constant headache. If you happen to find yourself in one of these situations, there are strategies and ways to navigate the challenges and prompt a healthier work environment. Below are five strategies to combat toxic workplaces, focusing on personal resilience and proactive leadership to improve your daily experiences.

1. Acknowledge the Toxic Environment Credit: Icons8 Team

The first step to combating toxic workplaces is recognizing and accepting that you are in one. Denial can cloud judgment and prolong the toxicity. Instead, ask yourself:

Is the treatment respectful?

Is the environment safe?

If you find toxicity within your workplace, it’s important to move on to the next step in the process.

2. Build a Support Network Credit: Brooke Cagle

Find a group of trusted colleagues who have felt or share similar experiences to validate your perceptions and provide objective perspectives. This network can affirm your claims about a toxic workplace and supply emotional backup. This can provide a moment of clarity amidst the chaos and prepare you for further steps.

3. Prepare for Courageous Discussions Credit: Vitaly Gariev

As you prepare to bring the toxicity to light, it’s important to document specific instances of inappropriate behavior, promises, and accomplishments. This is super helpful when discussing discrepancies or your feelings with supervisors or HR. When bringing this information to a superior, request a formal meeting and approach the discussions with a calm and prepared mind. This way, you can find solutions instead of placing blame.

4. Maintain Personal Well-Being Credit: Luna Active Fitness

During this time, you’ll want to balance the toxic workplace with activities to safeguard your mental and physical health. Here are some examples:

Establish boundaries between work and personal life.

Track your stress patterns.

Engage in hobbies and community activities to create external anchors.

Consider seeking professional help from a therapist or career coach.

Each of these activities can help you cope and ensure you stay resilient during this trying time.

5. Advocate for Systemic Change Credit: Redd Francisco

Once the toxicity has been found in the workplace, organizations will often embrace proactive measures to improve workplace culture and keep their staff happy. This may include:

Establishing zero-tolerance harassment policies.

Promoting work-life balance through flexible scheduling and mental health days.

Creating transparent conflict resolution processes.

Training leaders on accountability.

All of these practices can cut toxicity right at the start, before it starts affecting employees.

Final Thoughts Credit: Arlington Research

Rising above toxic workplaces requires a combined approach of personal support and advocating for systemic change. By adding these five steps to your life, you can build resilience to tackle toxicity, protect your mental health, help your coworkers, and turn your workplace into a positive place to be.