Did you know that your boss could have a bigger impact on your mental health than your doctor or therapist? If you feel drained or anxious at work, watch for signs that you have a toxic boss.
It sounds extreme, but a study by the Workforce Institute found that nearly 70% of employees say their manager affects their mental health as much as their personal health professionals.
The problem? When you get used to certain behaviors, it can be hard to recognize them as toxic.
Whether you’re a leader wondering if your management style is problematic or an employee trying to navigate a difficult work environment, it’s important to recognize the warning signs.
Here are nine signs your boss may be toxic—and what to do about it.
1. Lying and Manipulation
Toxic bosses often distort the truth or manipulate situations to serve their own agenda.
How This Shows Up:
- Promising promotions or raises to motivate employees, but never following through.
- Giving conflicting information to create confusion and keep employees off-balance.
The Impact:
This behavior erodes trust, lowers morale, and increases employee turnover. When employees feel manipulated, they disengage from their work and start looking for new opportunities.
2. Leading With Fear and Intimidation
Instead of inspiring and motivating, toxic bosses use fear tactics to maintain control.
How This Shows Up:
- Threatening job security or publicly shaming employees.
- Discouraging time off, making employees feel guilty for taking leave.
- Saying things like, “If you can’t handle this, I’ll find someone who can.”
The Impact:
Employees feel constantly on edge, undervalued, and overly stressed—leading to burnout and reduced innovation.
3. Withholding Information
Toxic bosses intentionally withhold key information to maintain power or shift blame.
How This Shows Up:
- Not sharing important company updates or key project details.
- Failing to clarify expectations or objectives, then blaming employees for underperformance.
- Keeping employees out of the loop to outshine them in meetings with senior leadership.
The Impact:
Lack of transparency leads to frustration, inefficiency, and a breakdown of trust within the team.
4. Making Insulting “Jokes”
Disguising insults, criticism, or inappropriate comments as “jokes” is a way toxic bosses demean employees while avoiding accountability.
How This Shows Up:
- Mocking employees’ ideas in meetings.
- Using sarcasm to belittle team members.
- Making inappropriate comments under the guise of humor.
The Impact:
This creates a hostile work environment, discourages risk-taking, and destroys employee confidence.
5. Undermining Employees
Toxic bosses will sabotage or devalue employees to assert dominance or prevent them from getting recognition.
How This Shows Up:
- Publicly questioning an employee’s competence or decisions.
- Assigning impossible tasks and using failure as proof of incompetence.
The Impact:
Employees feel unsupported, demotivated, and less willing to contribute, leading to decreased engagement.
6. Social Exclusion
Toxic bosses exclude certain employees from meetings, events, or key conversations as a way to exert control and create division.
How This Shows Up:
- Leaving employees out of critical emails or discussions.
- Not inviting certain team members to networking or celebratory events.
The Impact:
Social exclusion creates isolation, discourages collaboration, and lowers team morale.
7. Never Apologizing & Blaming Others for Their Mistakes
Toxic bosses never admit they are wrong. Instead, they justify their actions, dismiss concerns, or shift blame onto employees.
How This Shows Up:
- Refusing to acknowledge mistakes or brushing them off as “not a big deal.”
- Taking credit for employees’ ideas while denying them recognition.
- Shifting responsibility for failures to others or claiming it was a miscommunication.
The Impact:
This erodes trust, fosters a toxic blame culture, and prevents growth and accountability. Employees begin to fear being scapegoated for mistakes.
8. Lacking Empathy
Toxic bosses show little regard for employees’ emotions, challenges, or well-being.
How This Shows Up:
- Ignoring concerns about workload or burnout.
- Responding to personal emergencies with indifference or hostility.
- Making employees feel guilty for taking time off or setting boundaries.
The Impact:
This creates a cold, transactional work environment where employees feel unsupported and undervalued.
9. Failing to Support Employee Growth
Toxic bosses don’t invest in their team’s development. They focus only on short-term performance rather than long-term career growth.
How This Shows Up:
- Refusing to offer mentorship or learning opportunities.
- Keeping employees in low-visibility roles instead of helping them advance.
- Discouraging professional development or networking.
The Impact:
Employees feel stuck and unmotivated, leading to high turnover and lost potential.
What to Do If You Have a Toxic Boss
If you recognize these signs in your workplace, you have options:
1. Set Boundaries
- Keep written records of toxic interactions.
- Clarify expectations and document performance goals.
- Maintain work-life balance to protect your mental health.
2. Seek Support
- Talk to HR if the behavior violates company policies.
- Find a mentor or coach to help navigate challenges.
- Connect with colleagues or professional networks for advice.
3. Consider an Exit Strategy
- If the environment doesn’t change, it’s time to leave.
- Update your LinkedIn and resume to prepare for new opportunities.
- Explore companies with healthier work cultures.
ALSO READ: How to Exit a Toxic Workplace
I share more tips on creating an exit strategy in this video.
If You’re a Leader, Take Accountability
If you recognize yourself in any of these behaviors, it’s time for change.
Being a leader means more than meeting business goals—it means supporting the well-being and success of your team.
- Seek training, coaching, or therapy to improve your leadership style.
- Learn how to communicate effectively and foster a healthy work environment.
- Remember: Your leadership impacts people’s lives and well-being.
Final Thoughts: Your Mental Health Matters
No one should have to endure a toxic work environment. If your boss is creating a harmful atmosphere, take steps to protect your well-being.
And if you’re a leader, commit to creating a culture where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
Want more career tips? Watch related videos here!
