Traits of a toxic workplace
Not sure how many anime fans are here, but I was recently watching this new anime called “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead”, which basically shows how a corporate employee is so fed up with his messed up job, that the first thought he has, when zombie apocalypse hits is, “I don’t have to go to work anymore!”, and he’s out to do things that he always wanted to.
Anyways, in the new episode, its shown how a toxic leader/boss/senior behaves. And man, was that so accurate!!
It shows how these leaders make you work like hell, belittle you, and misbehave with you. Even if you think of leaving the job, they make you believe how hard it is to survive without your current job, and how the work you’re doing is nothing, and that you can be easily replaced.
And in the end, after fucking up your mental peace, they will come and show a little bit of sympathy, telling they how they just push you for your own sake. Acting like some wise old “mentor you never had”.
And you know, what the worst part is, since all your colleagues are living in the same environment, since everyday you go through the same toxicity over n over, it becomes normal for u. Your brain adjusts, and it seems to think that this is how the world is.
Moreover, if you are a fresher, and you don’t have any prior experience of work culture, you seem to believe thats how work life is, and will always be.
I’m ranting this out, since i wasted around 1-1.5 years of my life in such startup, and it wasn’t just the time that was wasted, it also took my passion, my energy, my motivation and my goal with it.
To all the folks who might be in a similar situation, I just want to say, I know it’s hard and I know you probably can’t leave due to some financial situations or other issues. But BELIEVE ME when i say that nothing in this entire world comes above your mental health. Save that first folks. Be selfish, saving others can wait!
U just summoned one- zom 100 anime/manga fan.
Initially people with young mind go to fast pace startup/firm, bear toxicity and bad wlb. It does affect mentally. But as the people grow up experience wise and have major burnout they look for good wlb or slow pace companies so as to give time to side gig or rest and vest. If not will continue grind and might later on do it.
Here is a 🫂 🤗 for u. Everything will be fine. Like how the same guy (tendou) find his purpose (if u have seen the last episode) I am sure u will find too.
Thanks for the kind words! Hoping to find my purpose soon!
As people grow experience wise, they don’t look for rest and west or side gigs they become so mature. So I guess you are either immature for this take or you never really understood seniority in software engineering.
You can start identifying these places right at the interview level itself.
- They call their company a family
- They blatantly brag about how everyone picks up whatever they can outside their JD
- Recruiters ask extremely personal questions ex. If you're married, have kids etc
- There's a sense of superiority the interviewer has and the interview feels like a way to rub it in our faces
- They shamelessly ask for ideas on projects they are currently working on
Screw the toxic employers! We need to start naming and shaming them to bring accountability into the system.
Add mine to the list. They are proud that they are "fast paced industry changers". At what cost? Everyone's mental health hanging by a single thread
When you see “yes_men” in the senior leadership and there is a sycophancy for the founder or CEO, start looking for a job if you have self respect. Companies without culture and running till such time the LALA had money from the investors. Most of these founders are great story tellers but little do they know about dealing with real people. High level of attrition are not due to work pressure, the reality is that u will just say no to mental molestation and rape of your self respect.
Yep, you summarised it pretty well. In our case, all the seniors were close friends / relatives of the CEO, and they didn’t dare speak against him, nor did he scold them, even when they were clearly in the wrong.
And yea, the founder did attract the investors with words like “first Indian metaverse”, or “Revamping Education”, though he can’t seem to be able to raise any more funding rounds now!
And lastly, most of my colleagues left because of the misbehaviour, everyday taunts, belittling our work and so on.
Work was never an issue, during the first few months, all employees used to voluntarily work 6 days a week, 12 hours a day.
- Micro management.
- No appreciation or recognition of work.
- Unqualified leadership. In my case, I work on ML and the leadership has no prior experience in ML, so it’s miserable for me.
- Leadership having all ‘yes men’ employed as ADs, VPs etc.
- You’re always told to go the ‘extra mile’. Sure, it’s a good thing to take more responsibilities every once in a while, but when you’re expected to do the work of 3 folks with the same salary, then you’re just being exploited.
- Leadership having no vision or a cogent plan.
Dude I am in a similar situation, I can relate. I literally feel sick when mandatory office days come every week. It's not always a startup, I am working in an MNC, it is hell for me everyday. Public humiliation, belittling, manipulation are part of my daily life. I am thinking of leaving soon. A dream company doesn't exist, that's a myth. Even if a small company treats you with respect, provides an environment to grow and learn can be a dream company for you. Right now just physically and mentally exhausted.
Power to you. Hope you break free of the hell you’re in.
Thanks. 😊 I already left the company months ago, but the burnout seems to be never ending. Hopefully its a temporary one. 🤞🏻
One thing that helps me get out of burnout is doing mentally engaging things - maybe travel, pickup some hobby, watch a series. Things that help your mind completely disconnect from your situation.. Having said that, it's a gradual process, and everyone has a different timeline. Wishes and prayers for you! :)
Agree with this. I recently learnt my lesson after working in a toxic startup for 1.5 years. It got bad enough for me to quit without another offer and little savings. Still don’t regret it even for a day. Now I’m doing exactly what someone here mentioned: looking for great wlb and slow work so I can recover but also don’t end up homeless lol.
If anyone would like to help I am from marketing. Have content & copywriting experience with THE biggest marketing brand in India. YOE 4. Looking for remote / hybrid friendly companies in Del-NCR. Must have great WLB and great culture. Taking my time with job hunting but its definitely not easy so any help will go a long way.
Thank you for anime recommendation
Bro I binged it, it's a great series.
U can also watch Alice in Borderland (Netflix) Live action series