7 Reasons Why Toxic Workplaces Drive Insecurities & How to Overcome Them

True power lies in resilience and not letting toxicity break you

Janice Eastman
7 min readApr 27

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A person poses on a red car at a gas pump.
Photo by Joshua Rondeau on Unsplash

Toxic workplaces are a reality for many employees — it’s estimated that one in five people have left a job due to poor workplace culture.

But why are toxic workplaces so damaging, both to our mental health and our overall job satisfaction?

Speaking from personal experience, I can attest to the toll a toxic work environment can take on one’s self-esteem and confidence. Many days going to work felt like stepping into a war zone, with cliques forming and managers pitting team members against one another.

Toxic workplaces are often characterized by high-stress levels, low support, low morale, low productivity, and a general lack of respect among colleagues.

The resulting impact on worker self-esteem can be both immediate and long-lasting.

Employees demoralized by their work environment are less likely to contribute to the team. And may even become actively disengaged in their duties. This dynamic can then continue to feed into the toxic cycle, leading to higher stress levels, lower morale, and, ultimately, lower productivity.

The Way People Feel in the Workplace Is the Most Important Element of Their Job Satisfaction

Here are 7 reasons why toxic workplaces drive insecurities:

1) Lack of transparent communication

Employees often need more transparent communication from management so they are confident about expectations and goals.

When expectations are unclear, it can lead to frustration, anxiety, and lowered employee confidence.

From my experience, I’ve found that toxic workplaces breed a culture of constant criticism and blame. This can be incredibly damaging to an employee’s ability to take risks and take on challenges, as they’re constantly worried about making mistakes and facing the consequences.

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Janice Eastman

From reading my writing, I hope you will begin to break down self-imposed barriers and find your authentic self in the extraordinary story of life.