(WellnessPursuits.com) – Sometimes, work is a great place, where you can interact with people and accomplish something of value. Other times, you just have to get through the day. If there’s one thing that can make your time at work more difficult or stressful, it’s a toxic boss. Fortunately, there are some ways you can cope more easily with the toxicity in your workplace so you can reduce your stress levels — and your risk of getting fired.
Tip #1: Keep Your Focus on Your Job
The more you focus on your toxic boss, the bigger the problem seems to get. Taking your focus off your boss and putting it onto your job is a good distraction and an important way to make sure you’re working to your full potential. By doing what’s expected of you or more, you don’t give your boss, HR, or others who are higher up in the company any reason to think that you’re the problem.
Tip #2: Remember to Adjust Your Body Language
How you carry yourself matters, and your boss can see if you’re cowering, hiding, anxious, or uncomfortable. After all, over 50% of human communication takes place nonverbally, studies show. Keep your head and chin up, your shoulders back, and your stance relaxed. That shows you’re not intimidated and can reduce the chances that your boss will try to bully you. If your boss sees that they’re intimidating you, they’ll keep doing it. But if they know they can’t get away with it, they’re more likely to leave you alone. It’s a good way to make a statement without actually saying anything that could cause a problem or get you written up or in trouble.
Tip #3: Create a Network With Your Coworkers
The chances are high that you’re not the only one being bullied by a toxic boss. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other coworkers and see if they’re also suffering these effects. If several people are being mistreated by a toxic boss, they may want to band together to work with each other on addressing and solving the problem. Be a part of that network, and it will help you and other employees take back control and speak up for fair treatment in your workplace.
Tip #4: Talk to HR or Upper Management (or Both)
While it’s often said that no one likes a tattletale, you shouldn’t have to stay silent and continue to accept poor treatment from your boss. If they’re actually toxic and causing harm in the workplace, that should be documented and stopped. It’s one thing to go to HR for every minor complaint, but it’s completely different to show that your boss has a legitimate pattern of toxicity and hostility that’s affecting workers’ abilities to perform their jobs and damaging their mental health in the process. Let the little things go, but don’t ignore the bigger issues that really aren’t acceptable.
No matter what you try, you might not always be able to avoid working with a toxic boss. If the workplace is just that bad, and you can’t get any kind of help or resolution from HR or your boss, it may be time to look for employment elsewhere. Before you find that dream job and move on, though, these tips can help you make it through in the easiest and least stressful way possible.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Pursuits!
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