The only way to handle a toxic job is to understand you’re not the problem, it’s a culture issue with higher-ups enabling abusers, as per experts at Dignity Together, a group that aims to end workplace bullying. Some abusive bosses manage short-term results with superiors looking the other way. Making a mistake at work or having a bad day does not permit being yelled at or abused and overreaction of bullies is not your fault. Remember that you aren’t the problem to get you through the day. This may not stop a boss from yelling, but enables detachment from potential abuse. Though compartmentalizing your feelings is not a durable solution, as it ensures they pop up elsewhere, but it could help for now.
Stop Checking Your Email
Avoiding your inbox is no solution, but does set up boundaries to leave work at the office. Protect your time by doing everything to limit the hours. Focus on work without checking emails or taking meetings and communicate your strategy of setting healthy boundaries to advance organizational work. If available at all hours for work, people take advantage. When you politely and firmly inform colleagues that after 6 p.m., no work will be done, they will respect that, making work tolerable. Your bosses may expect you to jump whenever they call but setting boundaries gives a chance of a better workplace.
Create a Going-Home Ritual
Trapped in a toxic work environment allows negativity to seep into your personal life besides hurting those you love. Create rituals that signal ending the work day and slipping into personal time mode. Write a list of open queries and to-do’s for the next day to be left at the office or listen to favourite playlists on the ride home or walk around the block before stepping into home. Do something soothing for five minutes every day prior to reaching home to relax your mind and let go of work. Do enjoy your personal time.
Keep It Out of the Bedroom
If unable to get into the going-home ritual, retain your work in the living room and never into the bedroom. Many persist bringing into our bed, work worries that hinder our ability to relax or even to sleep. Taking work to bed reduces your ability to rest, makes you tired and susceptible to negativity and office stress. Never bring your work into your space of peace, by isolating work to one section of your home. If your job is overwhelming and your bed isn’t work-free, perhaps it’s time to make a big move out.
Make an Escape Plan
Toxicity may be a symptom of a larger cultural problem unlikely to be fixed on your own: so bide your time and formulate an escape plan. Usually, you can’t quit a job, no matter the fantasies weaved about bailing. But you may decide to leave and start searching for better jobs by applying elsewhere to manage the transition seamlessly. Acknowledging the job isn’t permanent helps you overcome bad days while finding something new. It’s difficult to leave a job, and even more to find a new one. But in toxic situation, it’s worth it though scary to find something better where your days aren’t filled with dread.