Work isn’t supposed to be fun — that’s why it’s called “work.” Being frustrated with any job, whether it is your dream profession or not, is completely and 100% normal.
What isn’t normal is the feeling of waking up every day and hating your own existence. If this sounds like you, know that you’re not alone, and take comfort as these people share their toxic workplace stories.
Casual sexual harassment should be the first clue.
Buzzfeed Community member clara1meade says that “A male colleague I considered a friend told me during a workday chat that he’d love a threesome with me and another female colleague, who was within earshot.”
Stretching an inch of authority into a mile.
I empathize greatly with this Twitter user, but I have to admit that I’ve never heard of someone being called a “two-day-old ramen noodles cup face.”
I understand it’s an insult, but what does it even mean?
Secret secrets are no fun, secret secrets hurt someone.
Buzzfeed Community member izzie14 says that “My first real job out of college made us sign an NDA and didn’t tell us why until almost a month later. Turns out, they were trying to cover up a suicide that happened on the premises.”
You know your workplace is toxic when…
It’s pretty safe to assume that if your work environment is causing you to run and hide in a public toilet — something is seriously wrong.
Holes on your resume can be easily explained and often don’t matter as much as you think they do.
Compounding heartbreak with heartache.
A Buzzfeed Community member who goes by the handle edenrose620 said that “When I called off on Christmas Eve because I had just suffered a miscarriage that morning, they said, ‘Sorry to hear that. Could you at least go in and clean bathrooms and empty trash?'”
Some jobs are so toxic that they make their employees physically ill.
Believe it or not, your body often knows that a job is toxic before your mind comes around to the idea.
The first thing to look for is if your place of employment is causing you to involuntary become sick to your stomach.
Does your employer violate your legal rights?
Buzzfeed member Jessica Smith recalled when “My manager recorded a call with an employee without her knowledge or consent, wherein she complained about another member of the staff, and then proceeded to share that recording with the other employee.”
Learn to see the forest for the trees.
Learning to speak the language of the corporate world can be incredibly invaluable. Not only will this allow you to gain a better understanding, but it will also enable you to be able to sniff out an employer’s BS.
Your employer shouldn’t joke about your kids.
Buzzfeed Community member carolgjc19932 said “I told them I needed to work from home, and the only way I could keep coming in was if I sent my kids to live with my parents out of state for a few months, as a sarcastic joke. My boss said, ‘Well, that’s great!'”
Know your worth.
Many employers will try and make their workers feel as if they owe them a debt of gratitude. These situations lead to good people becoming overworked and burnt out.
Don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap.
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When the writing’s on the wall, read it.
Redditor Zaphanathpaneah said that “I probably should have had a clue when, a few months after I started, my boss and her assistant both quit at the same time and suddenly I was the only one in my department.”
When even your own lunch isn’t safe, it might be time to move on.
Reddit user deeretech129 was stuck in a construction job surrounded by racists and thieves. They couldn’t even leave their lunch unattended without one of their colleagues stealing something from it.
Verbal abuse is 100% not OK.
In a since-deleted Reddit comment, this user wrote “We had a manager who would constantly berate us, screaming obscenities and personal insults if you did the smallest thing wrong. I watch this happen to multiple coworkers.”
Your job needs you but you don’t need it.
Reddit user VeralidaineSarrasri5 was totally convinced that she wouldn’t be able to survive without her toxic job. It took time, but with the help of therapy and a supportive partner. they were finally able to leave it all behind.
When the numbers just don’t add up.
Redditor envyxd writes, “I used to work retail sales at AT&T. Hated selling things I didn’t believe in. So much pressure from the manager that was toxic. He didn’t care about us or our well being[sic], just cared about numbers.”
