If you have ever felt intimidated, scared, or uncomfortable at work, then you might have experienced a toxic work environment. These feelings will likely be due to unwelcome conduct, such as discriminatory actions, offensive language, or verbal abuse. In some cases, these behaviors are laughed off and said to be a “joke,” but this can take its toll on the individuals being targeted.
Identifying unhealthy work environments can be difficult for those not directly involved, but it is possible. If you are a victim of a toxic workplace, it will be clear, and you must take action to protect yourself from further abuse. In this post, three steps will be outlined that you should follow if you are currently experiencing hostile behavior at work.
Begin Documenting All Incidents
Although no one wants to imagine taking additional measures to protect themselves, it can happen. This is why it is essential to keep documentation and evidence of all incidents, as this information might be used by higher-ups in the company or a legal professional. The type of details you should note down include dates, times, descriptions of the events, witnesses, and more. It is crucial you begin documenting from the very first incident to create an accurate timeline of hostility.
Not only should you be taking notes, but you should also be keeping copies of any physical evidence. If you have received emails, memos, text messages, or any other documents, these should be saved digitally and also printed to be filed. These documents could be used as evidence if you let your manager know or proceed with legal action at a later date.
All of the evidence you collect should be kept in a safe place, ideally not in the workplace, to remain confidential. Even the digital copies should be saved on a personal computer, if you have one.
Establish Clear Boundaries
After the first incident of hostility, you might think it was a one-time thing. However, if it happens again, you can assume a pattern will begin to form. This is when creating boundaries can be useful. You must determine what you will and will not tolerate in the workplace and be assertive with these limits. Common boundaries people form in relation to work include bullying, long hours, or micromanagement.
When you have decided what your boundaries are, it is time to put them in place. You will need to be assertive and clear when communicating these limits with the coworker or manager who is treating you poorly. This will not be a negotiation; you are stating what you expect from the other person.
You should be respectful during these conversations, but this does not mean you shouldn’t be direct. It might feel uncomfortable to do this, which is understandable. The boundaries you set must be detailed, and it is encouraged to use “I” statements. This will less likely to cause further animosity as you are stating how you feel, not pointing the finger from the get-go. For example, you might say, “I would appreciate if you did not make comments that are offensive.”
Seek Support and Act
If setting boundaries does not lessen the hostility you are receiving, then it is time to seek help from others. One of the first stops to make is to your Human Resources department. HR plays an important role in refereeing conflicts and ensuring laws and regulations are upheld, but this department does represent the interests of the company. This means they will work to protect the company from possible legal actions and negative publicity.
However, you must report the incidents to HR. While they might be able to help you, you should have realistic expectations. There are other options if you would like support, such as speaking to an employment law attorney. A professional will be able to help you understand the employment laws in your state and determine if your rights have been violated. This knowledge will then allow you to act accordingly.
To conclude, a hostile work environment can form in any workplace. This can be disheartening and stressful, particularly for the victim, but there are steps to take if you believe you are in a toxic workplace. As mentioned in this post, documenting incidents, establishing boundaries, and seeking support will help you to protect yourself efficiently.