What Makes Up A Toxic Workplace?

Do You Have a Narcissistic Boss?

A fear of speaking up, not receiving praise or recognition for your work, displaying a high level of self-importance, and manipulating subordinates are some of the signs that your boss may have narcissitic behaviors.

Everyone can have a bad day. A narcissitic boss displays these behaviors on a daily basis. Here are some key identifiers of a narcissistic boss:

  • They do not respect your boundaries - This can look like your personal time being abused leading to a lack of work-life balance

  • Conflict and confusion - One week, you are praised as an amazing employee. The next, you are knocked off the pedestal and another takes your place. They may also frequently compare you with other employees and vice versa.

    The intentions are clear: workers work harder and scheme against each other in hopes that they will hold a permanent position as the model employee.  

  • Mood Swings - They go from 0-100 in the snap of a finger. You do not know what to expect on any given day.

  • Gifts and Coercion - Gifts, bonuses, and above-industry-average pay all seem like great perks to a job. Narcissistic bosses will abuse you by dangling raises, promotions, opportunities, gifts, and bonuses in your face. They use these as a means of manipulating you into doing what they need from you.

It is important to know that to a narcissistic boss, you are just another number on their payroll. They will only deliver on the promises that they have to in order to keep you at bay. Anything that does not benefit their business or bottom line, will not be a promise they can keep.

For example, a plumbing apprentice wants the opportunity to go to school but is highly crucial to the day-to-day operations of the company’s biggest profit sector. A narcissistic boss will promise the apprentice that they will soon get the opportunity to go to school with no intention of allowing that day to ever come.

  • High turnover

  • Low morale

  • Micromanagement

  • Negative communication (gossip, criticism, or bullying)

  • Lack of work-life balance

  • Lack of trust

  • Poor management

  • Narcissistic bosses

“When a workplace becomes toxic, its poison spreads beyond its walls and into the lives of its workers and their families.” Gary Chapman

So, What Can You Do?

“Having a bad boss isn’t your fault. Staying with one is.” Nora Denzel

Part of the success of narcissitic bosses is making it feel impossible for the employees to go elsewhere. They instill fear that it is only worse outside of their company, that nobody will value you the way they do, and that you won’t find that same pay elsewhere. This is false! Opportunities can and will present themselves elsewhere.

Remember, people that are not treating you well are not going to treat you better if you work harder.

You should NOT have to work for somebody’s respect and you do not have to earn being treated fairly - you excuse yourself from situations where you’re not.

In the meantime:

  • Set a deadline of when enough is enough. If the promises made to you are not being upheld by your deadline. Start looking elsewhere for better opportunities

  • Document everything

  • Communicate only through a written medium (text, email, etc.)

  • Set personal boundaries and stick to them. Do not work past your expected hours, stay strong, and recognize when you are being gaslit

Allegedly, Liam Johnston was unhappy with the work environment at Mr. Mike’s Plumbing and he was prepared to take a pay cut and find a better work environment. Unfortunately, his life was taken before he was given that opportunity. DON’T DIE LIKE LIAM DID! Find a healthy work environment.