Unhealthy for the spirit: What aids in enduring toxic work environments?
When it comes to toxic relationships, it's not only limited to personal life. Psychologist and TV host Rolf Schmiel has written a book about "Toxic Jobs." In an interview, Schmiel explains the signs to watch out for to avoid work making you ill.
What are "toxic jobs" according to Schmiel?
Rolf Schmiel defines them as jobs that pose a constant threat to an employee's psychological resilience. These are jobs that leave a bitter taste in your mouth, where the workload is excessive and the expectations are unrealistic. The main reasons for this are often due to the loss of human and social aspects in the work environment.
Is it just the tasks themselves or the relationships that can cause illness?
It's a combination of both: the nature of the work and the quality of the relationships. If the job is stressful in structure but the colleagues are supportive, we can manage. Even if the people are odd, but the job is enjoyable, we can cope. But if both become difficult, the workload becomes unbearable, and the people too, the path to illness becomes inevitable.
Are certain professions more prone to toxic work environments?
Yes, often in social and caring professions where there isn't enough manpower, the workload can become overwhelming. If several people are absent due to illness, the workload doesn't reduce, but the remaining employees are expected to pick up the slack. This leads to a significantly higher sick rate due to psychological issues in these professions.
How does a toxic job affect me?
The soul speaks at night. That means sleep becomes restless, anxiety states increase, and it becomes difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. General irritability increases, along with a tendency towards compensatory behaviors, such as turning to food, alcohol, and other addictions.
What are the consequences for mental health?
There are two effects. Women are more likely to quickly go into burnout and suffer from stress depression. This means they are out of work for a long time: between three to six months. Employers often don't realize the consequences of not addressing this issue. For men, the consequences can be even worse. They may push through their psychological stress until their body collapses, leading to back pain, severe gastrointestinal diseases, and heart attacks.
How can I tell if a toxic work environment is developing?
It often starts with the demands in the tasks increasing significantly and the employees feeling overwhelmed. Instead of supporting each other, they start tearing each other apart. Then, instead of anger at what's making them sick, there's hatred towards the sick.
What are the warning signs?
If I sense that my manager is overwhelmed and can't handle the pressure, the risk that the job will become toxic is very high. Because they will then vent their frustration on me. There may also be absurd cuts or reductions in services. If a company generates hundreds of millions in revenue but cancels free water for employees, it's a clear sign that employee orientation is completely lost.
How can I prevent myself from getting sick?
We need what are called "counter-worlds." Anyone who is constantly under performance pressure should do a balancing sport without competitive thoughts. You can also simply jog or go for a walk. And those who work physically hard should go to the cinema or museum on the weekend instead of working physically at home. We always need a counterbalance to what the job brings.
Should I try to change my environment? And how do I do that?
In principle: If you're suffering from work, speak up! Anyone who has a psychological problem and talks about it with others makes the problem audible. First, you should talk about it privately, then also with colleagues. To clarify: Is it me or do others have the same problems? And then: Before going to the boss, one should look for support and solidarity – for example, with colleagues or the works council.
What should I say to my boss? That the work is too much for me?
That's exactly what you shouldn't do! Because that would only mean complaining from his perspective and an individual problem. A more helpful approach is to present him with good ideas on how to better structure the work, and that would be for the good of the company. As soon as you put that in the center of the conversation, the boss can't ignore the suggestions.
And if that doesn't help, should I then draw consequences?
Of course, then one can also think about a change. The chances of finding a job alternative today are good. And not least, one should heed the old wisdom of the Bremen town musicians: "You'll find something better than death everywhere."
How can advisement from management help prevent toxic job environments?
Management can play a crucial role in recognizing and addressing potential toxicity in the workplace by actively advising employees and fostering open communication. They can provide resources and support, help manage workloads, and promote a positive work culture.
What actions can an overwhelmed manager take to avoid venting frustration on their team?
An overwhelmed manager might seek help from their own superiors, delegate tasks responsibly, or invest in self-care to manage their stress levels. Communicating openly with their team about their struggles and seeking their input can also help create a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility.
