You show up to the workplace early, get along great with coworkers and clients, and make valid points in your team meetings. The work you do is constantly being praised; this is the first time you feel confident that this is the right career path for you. That is until you hear those dreaded, familiar footsteps. Out walks your boss to remind you of what you’ve been doing wrong and then proceeds to stand behind you to ensure it’s done right before walking off. As you lean back in your desk chair, you ask yourself, “Is my boss just savage or actually toxic?” Not sure? Here are a few signs to know if you have a toxic boss.
1. Spotlight Stealers
A recent survey by Monster.com revealed that a whopping 76% of employees were seeking another job opportunity due to a toxic boss. This is usually due to a combination of factors. One of the most common traits of a toxic boss is narcissism. Whether a group project is presented, a conference meeting is held, or on a call with the higher-ups, the spotlight must always be on the toxic boss. Every praised idea often comes from their brain, but if senior management dislikes the concept, they’re removed from it as much as possible. Another reason a manager could be casting themselves in a better light is that they might be intimidated by you.
2. Gaslighters
There are many ways a toxic boss can act as a chameleon to manipulate you into questioning whether you’re actually being gaslighted. It can start subtle then gradually become a full-on habit for them. If your manager has been caught lying to you, giving fake promotions with vague job titles, and giving others credit for your ideas, then most likely your boss is a toxic gaslighter. When your own reality starts to be contested, it can harm your mental health and leave you wondering if working at your current job is even worth it. If you believe your toxic supervisor has been gaslighting you at work, check to see if any of these common examples apply to you.
3. Micro Managers
Even after being on the job for a significant amount of time, it still seems as though you can’t do anything right around the office– well, only according to your boss. Everyone else seems to think you’re doing just fine. It’s as though your boss cannot relinquish control over you or even other team members. A comment must be made regarding every detail, from the font picked for a presentation to how you prefer documents to be filed. If it’s not their way, then it’s the absolute wrong way! There’s a good chance that you have a toxic boss if even the most minuscule actions bother them.
4. Playing Favorites
A typical manipulation tactic that a toxic boss has in their arsenal of exploits is their superhuman ability to pit coworkers against each other. Instead of doing what’s best for the team as a whole, your boss would much rather jeopardize the team’s relationship to please the person they naturally gravitate towards- which is both unprofessional and toxic. If two employees do the same amount and quality of work, there’s no reason that only one person should be constantly praised or rewarded.
5. Inappropriate Comments
Under no circumstances should a higher authority be making inappropriate comments or gestures towards employees. Whether serious or benign, it should not be tolerated. A common toxic behavior found among unprofessional supervisors is spreading gossip in the office. Or even worse, when a toxic authority figure tries to get gossip from an employee. This is a situation you never want to be caught in. No matter how cool you are with your boss, gossip is one of the many things you should never do with your boss. The situation has zero positive outcomes that can stem from making that decision. The consequences of this action can always affect all parties involved.
If any of these signs sound familiar, you are most likely dealing with a toxic boss. Are there any signs that we missed? Let us know in the comments.
