Toxic Job Survivors: Got Hope?

In workplace abuse situations, bright, talented, ethical, & well liked people are targeted by bullies who are often under qualified for their positions. Also common are abusive leaders who punish whistleblowers for speaking about institutional problems- a violation of the toxic culture’s requirement to pretend everything is fine in the workplace.

Connecting with toxic job survivors helps normalize the experience & reduce isolation. Shame & self doubt often transform into pride at being part of a group who naturally shine & excel at work when not being abused by bullies & who have the strength of character to speak truth to power.

Remembering who you were before the workplace abuse began can be a source of hope when abuse-related anxiety, depression, & self doubt flare up.

Many people leaving toxic workplaces do not recognize themselves after having overworked and/or contorted themselves to blend in or defend against abusers.

Your physical body, emotional reactions, personality, & thought processes may have changed from chronic abuse, lack of sleep, under or over eating, isolation, & constantly being on guard. A new you will eventually emerge. With distance, wholistic self care, & daily practice to reset your nervous system, new scars form as you manifest greater strength, self awareness, new boundaries, and deeper life purpose.

Congratulate yourself for surviving jealous colleagues whose insecurities fed off lies about you & your work.

Mourn the losses of misplaced trust that leaders would do what is right when alerted to ethical, legal, or other bad business practices.

Release unfounded hope that under qualified climbers develop compassion or commitment to what is right & just. Their betrayal & that of people you thought were decent & trustworthy, is not about you. You did nothing wrong by shining & truth telling.

Know that those remaining in environments that condone abuse are lying to themselves about their own ethics, trustworthiness, & safety. No matter how much they keep their head down, they may well be the next target.

Toxic job recovery involves grieving loss, moving through anger, acknowledging physical, emotional, & financial injuries, & creating a wholistic recovery plan.

Post traumatic growth from toxic jobs is accessible with rest, affirming social connections, somatic trauma healing interventions, cognitive restructuring, & exposure therapies. For people who are religious or spiritual, faith practices can also amplify healing.

Nature provides examples of resilience like towering trees that sway in the wind but remain firmly planted in the soil. Guided meditations on rooted trees & spending time in forests to observe their strength & beauty, breathe deeply their scent, & listen to their sounds of rustling branches, are associated with improved mood and cognitive function.