Signs you work in a toxic office -

Signs you work in a toxic office - Working in a  toxic office  is bad news: your health suffers, youre edgy and irritable and you dread going into the office each day.  However, those symptoms arent the only signs that you need to find a new job. Here are 12 signs you work in an office with a poor work culture. What are signs you work in a toxic office? 1. Your boss is a  recognized bully.   When the senior leaders behavior resembles a what not to do at work checklist, you know youre in trouble. This could come in the form of  sexual harassment,  practical jokes frequently targeting one person or otherwise racist, sexist or homophobic comments. If the boss often berates employees or publicly intimidates them, and no one does anything to prevent or curb the behavior, its likely the office is toxic. 2. Co-workers frequently gang up on each other.   When  one person harasses another, even when they are equals, there are no consequences and no one else seems to think it is a problem, its difficult to get comfortable at work. Get my free white paper:  5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week   3. Its not unusual for co-workers or your boss to take credit for your work.   This is not only frustrating, but it can cost you a promotion or a raise. You may be blindsided one time by this problem, but do what you can to prevent it a second time.  Document your work and ideas  and, when appropriate, make colleagues aware of your ideas so its clear what you suggested for a project. 4. Youre doing the work of three or four people without any recognition.   Unfortunately, this is not uncommon, as companies have downsized or failed to replace people who leave. If you never earn a raise or any reward for your work, its likely time to look elsewhere. 5. Colleagues are insubordinate.   If people dont think they need to follow the rules and are generally rebellious and arrogant, flaunting their ability to do whatever they want without worrying about negative ramifications, its a major problem. 6. False accusations are the norm. If youre aware that making up stories and accusing other people of things they did not do is the norm in your company, and you begin to feel like you go to work with a bunch of kindergarteners, its a sign of poor office dynamics. 7. The  boss is ineffective  or absentee.   When the cats away, the mice will play, or so says the nursery rhyme. If your colleagues cant wait for the boss to go on vacation so they can have their way, its not a good sign. 8. Poor performers never seem to lose their jobs, while strong workers are  fired.   When the organization values and rewards people who arent carrying their weight, but potential leaders quickly lose their jobs, its possible that those in charge are threatened by competent workers. 9. Everyone operates under different rules.   When the supervisor does not apply rules consistently to everyone in the same role, it can be very challenging for those left with the short end of the stick. 10. There is a lack of formal training plans or programs.   If your onboarding was an introduction to your new boss and a key to your new office, it can be a sign that youre in for a tough road.  Lack of organization when you join a company  could suggest problems ahead. 11. People are promoted in random, seemingly illogical ways.   If youre always shocked by who got promoted, because the people are generally not well regarded from your perspective, you will probably want to think about moving on. 12. Supervisors dont communicate expectations well.   Communication skills are so important, but many bosses fail to make their needs clear. If your boss couldnt communicate his way out of a shoe box, you can never understand the priorities and youre always being berated for getting things wrong, assume youll have many difficulties achieving your goals in the organization. Dont consider these problems expected behavior in the workplace. If you dont see a way to change things at your organization or there is no support for positive shifts in workplace culture, now is a good time to look for a new job. More advice Signs youre in a dead-end job Traits of the best employees How to snap out of your bad mood fast Originally published on AOLJobs.com.