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In the current world, it is paramount that we make income in order to afford necessities and a better life. It is, therefore, no secret that we all spend a significant part of our lives in the workplace. It’s a place you come back day after day and where you spend many hours of precious time you’ve got. Naturally, you’d want the work atmosphere to be as positive and healthy as possible. Unfortunately, that’s not always so.

The truth is, so many women have to deal with a workplace which is far from peaceful. They struggle to exist and fit in these toxic work environments as they don’t have alternatives. Instead of making their lives in the workplace bearable, they are forced to tolerate the toxic workplace environment all in the name of making a living.

There are many reasons why certain workplaces are toxic and could harm you on both a professional and personal level. In order for you to prevent the toxic atmosphere from affecting you, you need to learn how to cope with it. To help you deal with an unhealthy workplace, we’ve put together a list of useful tips you can start using today.

Keep reading to learn how to deal with a toxic work environment.

 

Avoid Engaging in Rumor Groups

It is human nature to always have an opinion about someone or something. As the workplace is a habitat that comprises of human beings, it is only natural that people will have opinions about each other. While it can be used as a tool to improve each other, most of the times it quickly escalates and degenerates into gossip and rumor.

One of the main reasons why certain workplaces are toxic is the formation of groups and cliques who can’t stand each other.

Everyone wants to feel like they belong and they’re welcomed. However, you shouldn’t allow yourself to engage in rumor sessions just to be a part of an office group.

Therefore, whenever you find yourself in the middle of a conversation you feel is contributing to the toxicity of your workplace, make sure to:

• let everyone know you don’t feel comfortable talking down on your colleagues
• leave the conversation
• ask your coworkers not to include you in their gossip sessions

Although it may be hard for you to say these things, it will show your colleagues exactly where you stand and some of them may even respect that.

Make Yourself Busy

As the saying goes, an idle brain is the devil’s workshop. Always try to have something to keep you busy in the workplace. As such, you will not have to focus on the internal hindrances in the workplace. Always have something to distract you.

When you have too much time to overthink and analyze, you’ll be more affected by the toxic atmosphere in your workplace.

Therefore, one of the ways for you to deal with it is to always find something productive to do:

• make to-do lists and make sure you finish each of the bullet points
• invent tasks such as cleaning up your desk or tidying up the office
• brainstorm for new ideas

By keeping yourself busy this way, you’ll be less affected by the way people around you are behaving and treating each other.

Find a Companion

Everything’s better when shared, and the same goes for a toxic workplace.

There’s always solace in shared misery. You shouldn’t let yourself get grumpy and swallowed in the toxicity of the workplace. Once you detect that the environment is indeed toxic, the first step should be to avoid being alone. Loneliness would increase the effect of the toxicity and may even take a toll on your productivity.

In the sea of pettiness and mean people, you should try finding someone who feels the same way as you do. It will help you share your frustrations and feel better having a person who cares for you. Sometimes the mountain you think is impossible to climb is a hill if you have someone’s hand to hold on to.

If you manage to find a single person you get along with and share the same viewpoints, you’ll be able to:

• spend quality lunch breaks
• indulge in pleasant conversations
• exclude yourself from the toxic environment

Make sure you look around the office. Maybe there’s someone feeling the same way as you.

 

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Tune Out

If you can’t find anyone pleasant to talk to and the people you work with simply aren’t your favorite cup of tea, you can always turn to yourself.

A lot of people underestimate the power there is in having your own back. Having the ability to stand alone in an audience whose views don’t resonate with yours is the bravest thing one can ever do to themselves. It helps boost your confidence and self-esteem as the belief in your own self is even more enriched.

Having a grip on your self-esteem in a toxic workplace will go a long way in ensuring your productivity isn’t affected. According to academic writing websites, enjoying your own company in a toxic workplace goes a long way in ensuring that you cope with it faster and easier than expected.

It’s important that you stay focused on your work tasks and create a mini-workplace for yourself.

Here’s a couple of ways for you to do it:

• put on a pair of headphones and listen to relaxing music while you work
• turn your desk facing a wall and fill it out with inspiring images
• use plants or other desk gadgets to isolate yourself from the eyes of others
• try creating your own safe space

By using the above tricks, you’ll be making it easy on yourself and the toxic workplace won’t be as upsetting to you as before.

Try to Make a Change

It’s easy to sit around and complain about the toxic workplace you have to deal with every day. But, it’s really hard to step up and try making a change.

However, maybe you’re the one who can actually make an impact and turn things around in your workplace.

You may be the change you want. Change is inevitable and it happens no matter the circumstances. You can take a giant step and try to initiate the process of change in your toxic workshop. It is only in trying that you know the effectiveness of something.

Therefore, try to make a change and influence your coworkers to follow your lead:

• recognize what’s causing the negativity
• talk about the issues openly
• suggest possible ways of removing the issues
• be the change you want to see in others

For example, if you notice your coworkers are looking down on each other, try addressing this problem publicly. Suggest some forms of team-building to change things around and get people to work more closely together.

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Review Your Options

As much as we’d like to believe there’s a silver lining to every story, sometimes things just don’t work out.

In case you’re dealing with severe forms of a poor workplace quality and you feel stressed out about the idea of going to work, you should reconsider your options.

Everything doesn’t always work out. Life is a series of mistakes and the lessons learned from the errors are what make life a better place. When you’ve tried and nothing changes, you should sit down and review your options.

Here’s the best way to handle the whole situation:

• write down all the things you find inappropriate, unpleasant, stressful, or toxic
• try your best in overcoming these obstacles or eliminating them completely
• if you fail to do so and things keep getting worse, start looking for another job

Remember that the toxic atmosphere has nothing to do with you and you’re still a valuable and professional employee.

If your employer can’t put an end to the reoccurring problems, you need to remove yourself from there completely.

Final Thoughts

 

There are different kinds of toxic workplaces caused by numerous instances. It’s your job to recognize these issues and give it your best in not letting them influence how you do your job or how you feel.

Always try to focus on the positives of the workplace. Try to make yourself comfortable in the fact that you are in the workplace to earn an income. Nothing should distract you from the main prize, and always aim at fixating your eyes on the benefits of the workplace to your life.

Try using the advice given above to find a way to deal with a toxic workplace, but don’t get lost in the process. If things get too hard for you, look for a way out.

 

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About the author: Daniela McVicker is a career advisor and the chief contributor at Rated by Students. She uses her experience and writing skills to help people from different industries build a career while staying healthy and sane. Her goal is to teach people how to focus on their personal improvement and make the most out of their professional careers.