8 Ways to Spot a Toxic Work Culture

Home Resources Blog 8 Ways to Spot a Toxic Work Culture
Worried business people working on reports in the office.
Employee Engagement

According to the American Psychological Association, toxic workplaces leave employees sick, scared, and looking for an exit. The stress caused by toxicity doesn’t stay at work; it seeps into employees’ personal lives, affecting their mental health, relationships, and even physical well-being. If you’re looking to lead or be a part of a healthy work environment, the first step is ensuring you’re not a part of a toxic one.

Toxicity can take many forms, and it doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it’s woven into everyday interactions, hiding in plain sight. These eight signs can help you spot a toxic culture before it spirals out of control.

1. People are always leaving

If you notice a revolving door of employees, it’s time to ask why. High turnover is often a symptom of a deeper problem. Maybe it’s the manager who plays favorites and overlooks the contributions of others, or the remote team member who feels so disconnected that they don’t see a future in the company. In a hybrid setup, it could be the sense that remote employees are being left out of career development opportunities that are easier to access for in-office staff. Whatever the reason, constant churn usually points to a culture that’s making it hard for people to stay.

2. Communication feels like a game of telephone

Clear communication is the foundation of a healthy workplace. But in a toxic culture, things get muddled. Messages are inconsistent, instructions are vague, and the right people aren’t looped in at the right time. An example of how this can manifest includes a team member getting an email with unclear instructions and spending hours spinning their wheels, only to find out in the next meeting that the priorities have changed. Another example is regularly hearing about key decisions secondhand because leadership doesn’t share information openly. When communication breaks down, frustration builds, and trust erodes.

3. Cliques and exclusions are the norm

Toxic cultures often breed exclusivity. Certain groups hold all the influence, leaving others feeling shut out. This could look like a team forming tight-knit cliques, with certain colleagues left out of conversations that shape the team’s direction. Or it could be a group of colleagues who consistently plan outings or side projects without including others, creating an “us versus them” dynamic. When people feel excluded, collaboration suffers, and resentment festers.

4. No one feels safe speaking up

In a healthy workplace, people can share ideas or concerns without fear of being punished or ignored. In a toxic one, employees keep their thoughts to themselves because the risks of speaking up outweigh the benefits. This might be the team member who stays silent in meetings after seeing others shut down for challenging a manager’s opinion. Or the employee who doesn’t bother sharing feedback because it’s clear leadership only listens to certain voices. When psychological safety is missing, innovation and honest communication disappear along with it.

5. Burnout is the default

When burnout becomes a badge of honor, you’re looking at a toxic culture. Employees might struggle with this if there’s an unspoken (or spoken!) expectation to always be online, regardless of time zone. It also might look like employees staying late every night because “that’s what leadership values.” In our connected age, blurred boundaries make it hard to disconnect, and a toxic work environment doesn’t take boundaries into consideration.

6. Gossip runs the show

In toxic cultures, gossip and backstabbing thrive. It’s not just idle chatter—it’s a behavior that undermines trust and damages relationships. This could look like employees tearing each other down in private Slack messages or a manager who talks poorly about a team member to others. When gossip is the norm, people stop feeling safe with their colleagues, and the workplace becomes a minefield.

7. Bad behavior goes unchecked

One of the clearest signs of a toxic culture is a lack of accountability when bad behavior is ignored or tolerated. When this happens, it sends a message that bad behavior is acceptable—or worse, rewarded. Think about the top performer who’s allowed to treat colleagues poorly because they “get results.” Or the employee who constantly misses deadlines but faces no consequences, leaving the rest of the team to pick up the slack. In any workplace, a lack of accountability breeds resentment and destroys morale.

8. Growth isn’t a priority

In a toxic work culture, employees don’t see a path forward. Whether it’s a lack of professional development opportunities or managers who actively block advancement, people are left feeling stuck. Maybe it’s the employee who’s never offered mentorship because they’re not a priority. Or the team member who wants to upskill but is told there’s no budget for training. When growth isn’t supported, employees disengage, and the organization suffers.

Final Thoughts

Toxic cultures leave lasting marks on everyone they touch. Recognizing the signs sets the foundation for building an environment where people can succeed both at work and in their personal lives.

If you’ve spotted any of these red flags in your workplace, ask yourself: What can I do to start shifting the culture? Awareness is the first step, but action is where real change begins. 

Our next post will tackle this, stay tuned!