9 Signs You’re in a Toxic Relationship with Your Job

Few jobs start out toxic. Or at least you don’t always notice that a role, company or workplace is toxic at first. But unfortunately, it's easy to make a career move and then find yourself gradually stuck in a job that you hate, in an environment that’s stressful, exhausting and even harmful, wondering how you ended up there.

If you’re worried you might be in a toxic relationship with your job, here are the top 9 signs to watch out for. Any one of these could be a prompt for a career change, especially if you recognize multiple signs.

1: You think about work 24/7

If you regularly lie awake thinking about work or get distracted when you’re out with friends, stressing about the things you need to do on Monday morning, you’re probably in a toxic relationship with your job. There’s a big difference between passion and obsession. When you start thinking about work 24/7, to the point where it’s affecting your ability to enjoy other activities, it might be time to make a change of job or career.

2: It’s affecting your other relationships

One of the clearest signs that your job is toxic is if it’s impacting your relationships with the people closest to you. Depending on your personality type, you might find that you put your career goals ahead of your personal goals (looking at you ENTJs).But when you notice that you’re losing touch with the people you care about as a result of your job, it’s a pretty good indicator that something needs to change. Your job shouldn’t replace your entire social life, no matter how committed you are to your career.

3: You don’t have time for yourself

Having a good work-life balance is essential for leading a healthy life. If you’re constantly missing out on scheduled workouts, dates with friends, and regular downtime, and you're finding it impossible to keep the balance between your life outside of work and all the demands of your job, it’s a sign that you could be in a toxic relationship with your current career path. It’s essential to carve out time for yourself during the week to avoid burnout. If you’re not able to fit in basic self-care time, it’s a major red flag for your relationship with your job.

4: You don’t feel like you’re on the right path

If you’re feeling stuck or unsatisfied with your current job, it’s a good sign that it might be time for a career shift. Your job won’t necessarily always be fun-filled and exciting, of course. But if you regularly feel unfulfilled and lost, you’re probably not in the right company or even career.

5: You’re developing bad habits

The environment you work in can have a serious impact on your habits, mindset, and even your personality traits. If you have a toxic relationship with your job, you might notice that you start to take on new habits that you previously would’ve seen as negative, immature or even inappropriate. It might be something as small as answering work emails on vacation – or as serious as becoming more impulsive or aggressive in your relationships both at work and at home.

6: You don’t feel like you have room for growth

Sometimes having a toxic relationship with your job can be as simple as staying in a role or an organization where you don’t have any room for growth or progression anymore, especially if it was promised to you when you first started. If you’re constantly chasing the chance for career development and not being granted it, you’re going to struggle to feel fulfilled in your current job long-term. If you’re stuck in a company or position where you feel like you can't grow, it might be time to look for alternatives or risk the relationship turning sour. 

7: You’re constantly feeling exhausted and on edge

Regularly feeling like you can’t face going into work is a strong sign that you’re in a toxic relationship with your job. If you’re feeling exhausted, you’re experiencing burnout, or you’re dreading every day, you’re in the wrong place. Life is too short to be in a job that makes you feel like that – this is a sure sign you need to make a change. 

8: Your workplace relationships are unhealthy

For many people, the colleagues and coworkers you see every day can make or break your work experience. If you’re wondering whether or not you’re in a bad relationship with your current job, take a look at the people around you and the kind of workplace culture you have day-to-day. 

• Do you support each other in the workplace? 
• Are your colleagues respectful and inclusive? 
• Do you have open communication between individuals and teams? 

These are all signs of healthy working relationships with your colleagues. If you feel like your relationship with your coworkers is toxic, it can have a negative impact on all other areas of your work life.

9: It’s your whole personality

Sometimes there’s no way that you can tell if your job is toxic unless you look at it from an outside perspective. If your job has become your whole personality – in the eyes of your friends, family, and loved ones – and you have lost touch with everything outside of work, then it’s probably time to make a change.

Are you in a toxic relationship with your job?

If you’re asking yourself if your current job might be toxic, there’s a good chance it already is. While few people have the luxury of working in their dream job, your work should ideally be fulfilling, rewarding and interesting - while also paying the bills of course! To help you find the best job for your personality type, take our free career personality test and make the first step to move on from your toxic job to one that could bring you the fulfillment you’re lacking right now. You might be surprised by the results!