These 50 Photos Show How Comically Toxic Many Workplaces Are

But is resignation always the immediate answer? Other experts would tell you differently and suggest switching departments and working with a different team. Corporate psychologist Patricia Thompson spoke to Fast Company in 2018, stating, “Even in organizations where you’d say the culture is terrible, there are pockets where things are fine.”

This is where the lines between passion and logic blur; sometimes, the former will carry more weight. That passion may have also propelled you to enough success and brought you to a position of influence despite how stressful and toxic work can be. 

If you’re in such a predicament, Thompson advises asking yourself one important question: Is there room for advancement within the company that might allow you to influence the culture (or perhaps take you out of the environment you are in right now)? Answering this should provide clarity.

If you're an employee struggling financially, imagine seeing a message first thing on Monday morning saying you're not getting paid indefinitely. You're behind on rent, your credit card bills are mounting, and now, you don't know when the next paycheck will arrive. 

Unfortunately, wage violations are also common in the US. In 2022, Statista's research department reported 7,948 infractions involving employers failing to pay fair minimum wage. However, while many of these cases end up stagnant, others are huge wins for the employee. 

In 2021, the court ordered Texas-based software vendor Tyler Technologies to pay its employees more than $3 million as a settlement after facing a class-action lawsuit for improper salaries. In the suit, employees alleged that the company required extra working hours without overtime pay. All's well that ends well.

Instead of subjecting yourself to an unpleasant working experience, it would be helpful to see some warning signs before signing a contract. Recruiter/podcast host/LinkedIn influencer Joel Lalgee mentioned five red flags to look out for: poor communication, ghosting, endless rounds of interviews, repetitive questions, and untrained interviewers. 

Carta’s head of inclusion, equity, and impact, Mita Mallick, recently wrote a piece for Harvard Business Review, discussing this particular matter. She urges candidates to ask follow-up questions to clarify any concerns.

Here’s an example: if a recruiter says the company has a small team but offers an opportunity to “make an impact,” it could be a sign that they are understaffed and the employees may be overworked. Mallick then encourages asking about how the company budget has changed and whether or not it increased its workforce.

Now, it’s your turn, dear reader. We would love to hear about your workplace horror story. Have you or someone you know had similar experiences? Which of these photos do you relate to the most? Share them in the comments, and let’s begin a discussion about this very important topic!