An extract from a training firms website plus some examples I could think of off the top of my head. 'The Seven Signs of A Toxic Work Environment'
The following behaviors and work conditions could be signs of a toxic work environment:
- Pervasive office gossip. Talking about what’s happening at work with the people you work with is only natural. However, when those conversations turn negative and non-productive, they can cross the threshold and become petty gossip. It is never a good sign when gossip, rather than constructive feedback, becomes the norm in an organization.
- Gossip here has always been out of control here, like my Granny's knitting group on speed, but removing Yammer certainly didn't help.
- High levels of workplace stress. Every job carries with it its own set of responsibilities and the occasional tight deadline. But that feeling that everyone is constantly running on fumes because everything is constantly “on fire,” is usually unhealthy.
- Overwhelmed training system, reduced experience for FOs & CNs, reduced training sectors for all
- Threat emails such as the recent 'taxi quicker' love note
- D&G for any number of things
- Financial penalties for calling in sick
- Forced contract changes that many are still adjusting too with their families
- No care for mental health and physical health. Covid and work from home really changed how we talk about mental and physical health at work. There’s now much more alignment among company leaders that considering and supporting employees’ mental and physical health is important. A workplace that doesn’t allow employees to take care of their whole selves might be toxic.
- If the company and all its managers not standing up for crews during the inhuman COVID requirements period aren't example enough;
- D&G (presented in a intimidatory manner) for sick leave and/or mental stress leave
- Delayed command courses & upgrades for those who put safety first & took time off
- Severe reduction to medical insurance & preventative health benefits
- Reduced annual leave for all levels
- Unsustainable work hours. Constant demands to work outside of business hours erodes work-life balance and ultimately leads to toxicity.
- Unstable roster
- Technically legal but physically demanding rostering practices that promote fatigue
- A roster request system that seems to puzzle all users, offering little to no control over work-life balance for crews
- Lack of respect for personal and professional boundaries. Just as with romantic partners, friends, and family, setting boundaries with work is important. If those boundaries are consistently violated, the workplace may be unhealthy.
- Paperwork, reports & admin expected on days off
- Requirement to reveal private medical details on sickness certificate
- A lack of investment in DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts. Research proves that the best work is done when people who don’t think alike, look alike, or share overly similar lived experiences come together. A homogeneous workplace, or one that isn’t attempting to invest in and support a diverse team, may be toxic.
- Having 4 women fly a plane together to tick the women box once a year
- Putting rainbows up on the street to tick the LGBTI+ box once a year
- Closer of bases and loss of high levels of experience
- Failure to recognize good performance. Good work always deserves recognition. A healthy team is one that celebrates stellar work, as well as the people who went above and beyond to do it.
- Just like a PC, mistakes, omissions and errors are well documented and discussed, good work gets a 'quick mention' from time to time
- Any kind of sick leave seems to eliminate any amount of good work done previously
- Managers rewarded with up 50% financial reward for their 'good work' whilst those who kept the airline operating during the most significant crisis in its history got a small ex-gratia payment, plus all of the above