Fear of getting a job in a toxic environment

Charlotte_Ca

SadieO said:

Marcon said:

DullGreyGuy said:

There are times when buzz phrases are really not helpful and I am afraid that "toxic environment" in a work context is one that just means a hundred different things depending on who you ask.
 

I couldn't agree more. It's a fashionable phrase which, if you ask someone to explain what they mean (and I've done so on more than one occasion), is shorthand for 'I don't like my job/don't get on with my colleagues'.

I see these as quite different things. They can and often do co-occur but I've been in jobs I disliked but wouldn't describe as toxic, and vice versa. I see a toxic work environment as one where there are things like bullying and harrassment (overt or subtle, such as snidey comments about someone being off sick for instance). Micromanagement or lack of trust and support from managers. Excessively hierarchical, for instance not valuing the work done or the opinion of someone because they are on a lower pay grade. People getting favourable treatment because they are mates with or related to the manager. Power trippy managers. Gossipping and backstabbing. Unfair distribution of workload. Blame culture, especially if lower grade staff get thrown under the bus. All of these things can create a toxic environment and can happen even if you like the actual work you are doing and your colleagues. 

That's what I'm afraid off 

Charlotte_Ca

TELLIT01 said:

The working environment is largely down to the quality of management i.e. how they many potentially difficult relationships between staff members.  A poor manager will permit a 'toxic environment' to develop whilst a good manager will stop it.  There is no way to know for certain what the environment will be like until you are working there.  The problem works both ways.  At my wife's last employer before retirement a number of people were interviewed to take over from her.  The person who got the job apparently seemed great at interview but turned out to be the employee from hell once in the job.

What that emploee a manager or just an employee?

Marcon

Charlotte_Ca said:

TELLIT01 said:

The working environment is largely down to the quality of management i.e. how they many potentially difficult relationships between staff members.  A poor manager will permit a 'toxic environment' to develop whilst a good manager will stop it.  There is no way to know for certain what the environment will be like until you are working there.  The problem works both ways.  At my wife's last employer before retirement a number of people were interviewed to take over from her.  The person who got the job apparently seemed great at interview but turned out to be the employee from hell once in the job.

What that emploee a manager or just an employee?

It's irrelevant to your concerns - after all, how would that impact on your situation?

Have you considered trying to get a temp to perm post, so you can 'sample the culture' before you commit, without doing your cv any damage in the process?

Charlotte_Ca

Marcon said:

Charlotte_Ca said:

TELLIT01 said:

The working environment is largely down to the quality of management i.e. how they many potentially difficult relationships between staff members.  A poor manager will permit a 'toxic environment' to develop whilst a good manager will stop it.  There is no way to know for certain what the environment will be like until you are working there.  The problem works both ways.  At my wife's last employer before retirement a number of people were interviewed to take over from her.  The person who got the job apparently seemed great at interview but turned out to be the employee from hell once in the job.

What that emploee a manager or just an employee?

It's irrelevant to your concerns - after all, how would that impact on your situation?

Have you considered trying to get a temp to perm post, so you can 'sample the culture' before you commit, without doing your cv any damage in the process?

I was actually thinking not getting another temp job because it was tiring this time trying to learn the job, establishing myself and then at the end not keeping me. It was well worth it though coz I've learned so many things unlike any other job I had in this sector, but there was no indication that it would be a good job when I very first joined. It took time until I've realised that I like the job and the environment is friendly.

It's stressfull when it comes to an end though because I cannot plan any holidays as I need to be here and look for a job or be available for interviews. I could afford financially a week of holiday, but my mind would be like oh you don't have a job and you spend your savings and it would be best to be back and applying.

Plus without a perm job I cannot get a mortgage and I want to buy a flat soon.

Marcon

Charlotte_Ca said:

Marcon said:

Charlotte_Ca said:

TELLIT01 said:

The working environment is largely down to the quality of management i.e. how they many potentially difficult relationships between staff members.  A poor manager will permit a 'toxic environment' to develop whilst a good manager will stop it.  There is no way to know for certain what the environment will be like until you are working there.  The problem works both ways.  At my wife's last employer before retirement a number of people were interviewed to take over from her.  The person who got the job apparently seemed great at interview but turned out to be the employee from hell once in the job.

What that emploee a manager or just an employee?

It's irrelevant to your concerns - after all, how would that impact on your situation?

Have you considered trying to get a temp to perm post, so you can 'sample the culture' before you commit, without doing your cv any damage in the process?

I was actually thinking not getting another temp job because it was tiring this time trying to learn the job, establishing myself and then at the end not keeping me. It was well worth it though coz I've learned so many things unlike any other job I had in this sector, but there was no indication that it would be a good job when I very first joined. It took time until I've realised that I like the job and the environment is friendly.

It's stressfull when it comes to an end though because I cannot plan any holidays as I need to be here and look for a job or be available for interviews. I could afford financially a week of holiday, but my mind would be like oh you don't have a job and you spend your savings and it would be best to be back and applying.

Plus without a perm job I cannot get a mortgage and I want to buy a flat soon.

You can't have it both ways, so sooner or later you'll have to take the plunge...good luck!