Danger:Toxic Environment!

Everything happens within a certain context, and your job is no exception:  every organisation has its own personality, or corporate culture, that drives and influences the employees of that organisation.

Corporate culture is a powerful force that shapes how employees perceive job satisfaction, internal relationships, management style and work processes.  And this culture creates the environment where employees function as part of a whole in the company.

What is a corporate culture?

Corporate culture is a configuration of shared philosophies, ideologies, values, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, attitudes and norms – unique to each organisation – that bind an organisation together.  These elements form an unwritten ‘code’ of behavioural patterns and expressions that characterise the existence of the organisation.

The interesting thing about a corporate culture is that it’s not directly visible.  Being quite a complex, abstract term, it is often defined in terms of physical manifestations in the workplace.

How is corporate culture experienced?

Physical manifestations of corporate culture include artefacts, langue use, rites, rituals, taboos, ceremonies, company heroes, symbols and stories.

When its toxic…get out of there!

Don’t underestimate the danger of an unhealthy corporate culture.  If you’re in a toxic environment day after day, it’s bound to affect your health in some way…professionally, psychologically and even physically.  It might be time to find another job. Here’s what to look out for:

• Continuous gossip and rumours – about employees, leadership or the company strategy.
• Rigid and traditional outlook – leadership clings to out-dated methods and is resistant to change
• Us/them mentality – often from weak leaders who try to dominate.
• Low company morale – skilled employees aren’t motivated to excel.
• Double standards for leadership – leaders aren’t held accountable to the same standards as employees.
• Inconsistency – messages and plans change constantly, and no-one can explain why.
• Authoritarian-hierarchical orientation – the big boss makes all the decisions behind closed doors, and no one dares to challenge the boss.
• High Absenteeism and high staff turnover – top talent is leaving or don’t stay long.
• Employees don’t turn up for social functions – people would rather avoid each other, especially after work hours.
• High number of personality conflicts – a healthy culture doesn’t allow healthy conflict.
• Management has a ‘You’re replaceable’ attitude – If management’s attitude is that employees should keep quiet and be happy to be employed, it’s time to be happy and employed somewhere else.