Toxic workplaces aren’t just unhappy environments – they’re often unhealthy, too. It’s important to know when your job is damaging your health. Below are some of the common ways in which a toxic environment can cause physical or mental damage.
Workplace injuries
If your work is causing physical injuries, it is a sign that your employer isn’t putting in place adequate safety measures. Aside from sudden injuries, it’s important to consider long-term injuries – employers have a duty to not just protect their workers against accidents but also against repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or hearing loss. It’s a good idea to stop working a job if you start to notice aches, breathing issues or hearing issues that are clearly job-related. Workers compensation lawyers may be able to help you win compensation if you’ve already been injured. This could help to fund your recovery if treatment is available.
Stress and anxiety
While almost all jobs have their moments of stress, no job should be causing you constant stress. Conflict at work, huge workloads, bullying and lack of praise can all contribute to stress. Being constantly stressed could lead to anxiety surrounding work, which could prevent you from enjoying your time off due to constantly thinking about work. Chronic stress can also take its toll on your physical health – it can lead to headaches, high blood pressure and a greater susceptibility to infections. In the long run, it may even put you at a greater risk of developing heart disease or a stroke. If you can’t find ways to relieve stress at work, consider whether your stressful job is worth these potential health risks.
Exhaustion
A job that leaves you exhausted is also not a good sign. Some jobs are very physically intensive, but you shouldn’t feel that you’re constantly being pushed to your limit. Chronic stress can meanwhile lead to mental exhaustion. You are likely to only be able to endure this for so long before you reach breaking point. This is referred to as ‘burnout’ and is a sign that your job has become extremely toxic. If you have already experienced burnout, it is vital that you then take steps to make your job less tiring. If there is nothing you can do, consider whether it’s time to find a new job.
Depression
A job that is not rewarding could lead to depression. If you feel like you are trapped in a job that is monotonous or stressful, this feeling of hopelessness may eventually start to permeate other areas of your life. Once you start losing interest in passions and personal goals, consider whether it could be time to find yourself a new job before you start sinking into a deep depression. Taking a break from your job and talking to a therapist could help you find a new path in life that is less bleak.
Poor sleep quality
Some toxic workplaces can also negatively affect our sleep quality. Stress is known to cause insomnia. Regularly not getting enough sleep could then lead to other health problems – it is believed that lack of sleep is a significant risk factor when it comes to developing heart disease and dementia later in life. A job that forces you to work long hours without enough rest in between could also cause sleep deprivation. It is essential that you are not burning the candle at both ends – it could even be illegal for an employer to not give you enough rest in between shifts. Consider leaving your job if it is preventing you from getting a good amount of sleep.
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