One of the biggest trends of the past year – and one that shows no signs of subsiding anytime soon – is the increase in people working from home. A great many have begun working remotely full time, while others are splitting their time between working from home and at the workplace. These are called hybrid working arrangements.
It might seem like remote working would put an end to office politics, workplace bullying, and toxic company cultures once and for all. When you're working in your own space and submitting your work from home, how can the attitudes and behaviours of others impact you?
It would be nice if it were that easy, but unfortunately, it's not. Work is more than a physical space. It is a head space. Your work is where you commit your time, effort, and ideas for much of the day. And whether or not you are in the same physical location as your teammates, there is usually an element of collaboration involved in most jobs. People need to count on and trust each other and work together.
That means there is the potential for dysfunctional relationships and environments in remote or hybrid working situations, just as much as there is in traditional workspaces. Sometimes, the lack of in-person interactions can even make things worse.
The nuance of body language, tone, and expressions are often missing from online communications, and this can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Companies that are doing hybrid work right ensure that the company culture is maintained, and all employees feel equally valued whether they are in the office or not. They ensure that collaboration and communication remain cohesive.
However, many organizations are still adjusting to the new hybrid/remote working realities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not everyone is getting it right. Whether in person or remote, a toxic working environment can take its toll on your physical and mental health as well as your career.
So, if you are considering starting a new hybrid role – which is one of the most sought after working arrangements right now – you will want to take as close a look at the workplace culture as you would for any other job.
Here are some ways to spot a toxic hybrid workplace.
The first sign of a toxic workplace is that things just don't seem quite right. People appear to be unhappy at work. You don't hear cheerful conversations around the workspace or see personal mementos or photos decorating individual's stations. Being in a toxic working environment is one of the most physically and emotionally draining situations in your career. It sucks the life out of you. So, people are less likely to personalize a space that they do not hope to be in for very long.
Of course, if you are interviewing virtually for a remote working opportunity, you probably won't have the ability to survey the workspace or observe the staff.
Here are some questions to ask during the recruitment process to try to uncover a potentially toxic workplace.
Staff turnover. Find out if your role is a newly created one, or if you are replacing a former employee. Why has the job become available? Has your interviewer been in their role long? Is the company doing a great deal of hiring? What you want to watch for are signs of a particularly high rate of people only staying in their jobs for a short time.
Some change of staff is natural, of course. Plus, we are in the midst of a trend called the Great Resignation. So, a great many people are changing jobs right now. Still, people don't tend to leave great companies. They stick with employers they like and try to grow their careers within companies. On the flip side, employees tend to leave toxic workplaces as soon as they can. This is what you want to watch for.
Not everyone is participating in hybrid work. For jobs that involve some portion of working remotely, find out if this applies to all employees. Naturally, there are certain public-facing roles that cannot be done from home. However, if there are people in jobs who could be working from home, but aren't, that is a red flag. This creates the possibility of a two-tier company culture where remote workers have less clout than their onsite counterparts. It's particularly true if the upper management team all work from the office. If the bosses feel that they need to be in the office, it seems doubtful that they truly believe remote workers can be as productive or effective as people on site.
Signing up for a new hybrid job in this situation risks putting you into a role where your career growth potential is stunted and your ideas and contributions will be undervalued. Steer clear.
Company culture includes remote workers. How are employees recognized? What kind of celebrations and events does the workplace hold to promote team cohesion and bonding. If everything takes place on site, with remote workers allowed to watch via webcam, but with no real thought put into their being able to interact or participate, it's another sign that this will be a toxic place for the virtual staff.
Organizations that see remote workers as equally valued members of the team will have strategies in place for recognizing and including them in company events.
Devices and access. Another sign of a toxic hybrid workplace is the lack of proper equipment to do your job. Will the organization supply you with the phone and computer tools that you need, or will you be using your own devices? Do they have a virtual private network allowing staff working from home to have the same access to files, servers, and communication channels as those who are on site?
Importantly, find out if they will provide training for new employees so they can use the company's technology to its full potential.
Not being properly set up to do your job to the fullest from the outset is equal to being set up to fail. That's not a situation that you want to sign up for if you can avoid it.
Even if the employer does value their remote staff and is fully committed to making hybrid work be a successful arrangement for everyone involved, workplaces can still be toxic. People have different workstyles and personalities, and sometimes they clash. You may find yourself in a situation where you are just not a good fit with the team. It happens.
Fixing a toxic workplace
Communication is always key in maintaining any relationship, but when you’re trying to repair a potentially toxic culture, transparent communication is the best place to start. If you are feeling under-appreciated, say so. If you are facing unrealistic demands, manage expectations. Make it clear what you can do and what support you need to be able to do your job.
If the communication style from your coworkers seems to be unfriendly or uncooperative, try not to take it personally. Remember that a great deal of nuance is lost when you aren't speaking face to face. Passive-aggressive communication is common in a toxic workplace, but it could also be a side-effect of the lack of in-person interactions.
People have their own stresses and challenges, and their behaviour may have nothing to do with you. Keep in mind that anger is rarely actually anger. People more often act angry or lash out when they are feeling fear or uncertainty. Ask how you can help. Keep things positive.
If you can spot the signs of a toxic working environment before signing a contract, don't take the job. If you find yourself in a truly unhappy, unhealthy working situation, be prepared to walk away. Don't sacrifice your mental health and wellbeing for a job. There are other opportunities out there, so you can find the one that is right for you.
