Toxic Office Survival
It may be professional jealousy that taints a workplace atmosphere. Maybe nobody's back is safe whenever it is turned. Perhaps discrimination in one form or another, if not directly practiced, is implied from management on down. Whatever the reason, the very air of your workplace seems difficult to breathe. These are but some definitions of a toxic workplace.
If you love your job, or merely need it, you may have to face such stress day after day. The place was like that when you began, and it will probably remain the same when you leave. Meanwhile, you have to endure, but how?
First, you can look for an ally. This should not be confused with a sob sister, with whom you exchange complaints. Talking about a bad situation that cannot be changed only makes things seem worse. There's also no sense in forming a team to combat the issues that distress you. Usually, the cliques in such establishments sense a threat and instinctively defend against it. More dissent is never needed at any place of work.
So you want to look for someone whose work behavior counters what you find so noxious. Smile at this person when you pass, greet him/her and exchange pleasantries. If there's a meeting which you both attend, sit near that someone you feel shares your outlook. What you need is support, however slight, that will ease your work day, and the other person may benefit as well.
Secondly, concentrate on the work you are paid to do, and keep the disturbing influences away as much as possible. Although this might increase your isolation among your co-workers, if they are irritating in their attitude, it's no small loss. You have a life away from work to enjoy, think about that.
Sad to say, if you find your workplace unpleasant, you may as well forget about advancing there. Continue to accept extra work when offered and be as professionally polite as possible, but don't try to fight office toxicity with a popularity campaign. Instead of moving up that wormy corporate ladder, cultivate leads to a better job in more pleasant surroundings, discreetly, of course.
If you must, develop a mantra of what you like about your job and recite it when times get rough. Prayer may not change your situation, but is certainly capable of improving your attitude about things you cannot change.
Finally, take pride in not becoming part of the problem. If it's petty bickering that's rife, remain calm. Listen to someone run down an absent fellow co-worker with a perfectly straight face, but do not agree.
"Really? I hadn't noticed," is a reply that usually stills such talk.
Above all, remain true to your own ideals without climbing onto a soapbox to do so. It may only secure you peace of mind, but in any truly toxic workplace, that's a mighty powerful tool to have. It'll allow you to perform at your best, and that's why you're enduring such an ordeal in the first place.
