It is normal to experience some level of stress in your job, but if going to work or just the thought of going to work gives you dreadful thoughts and feelings, you might be experiencing more than the general work stress.

If you always feel tired, depressed, and even become sick because of work, you could be working in a toxic environment. Here are some signs to watch out for:

Employee Sickness

Employees in a toxic workplace may exhibit physical signs indicative of working in an unhealthy environment. They become prone to burnout and fatigue. Being burned out can affect a person’s immune system and the ability to fight off illness, so people in truly toxic workplaces become prone to contracting illnesses.

High level of stress can also lead to problems with the digestive system and increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Over time, chronic stress can damage your overall wellbeing and may lead to serious and even potentially deadly illnesses.

If you always find yourself or your colleagues calling in sick, or battling with cold and flu while working on the desk, consider this as a potential sign of a toxic workplace.

Non-existent or Poorly Implemented Policies and Procedures

A company with issues in implementing policies and procedures is more likely to employ people who just do what they want and work without discipline. This may result in inconsistency, chaos, and poor product and service output.

Non-compliance to policies and procedures also poses threats since some of the workplace policies involve those that safeguard employees against hazards. When there is little regard for precautions, costly injuries and workplace accidents may occur, and these could lead to legal actions requiring assistance from workers compensation lawyers in Utah.

Lack of Communication

Unhealthy patterns of communication indicate a toxic workplace environment. In toxic companies, there is a lack of communication, so employees often find out about decisions made by the management only after these have been implemented.

Withholding information or giving misleading information may also occur. Communication is important for the health of any organization. It is difficult to work together and accomplish tasks as a team when effective communication is lacking.

High Turnover

People tend to look for better options if they work in a company that does not support their growth as a person and employee. Employees will head over to the exit door if they experience poor morale, dysfunction, and sickness in the company. If there is a high turnover rate in the company, chances are people are leaving because of its toxic culture.

Poor Relationships

A narcissistic boss with no regard for the employees can wreak havoc on a company. It is important for any organization to be headed by people who demand that you always agree with them and think they are above the rules.

These supposed leaders have low standards for themselves but expect everyone to do things right and perfectly. Poor relationships may also exist among employees. Gossips and rumors can cause a divide among employees.