How toxic bosses affect our health and how to treat or deal with them

Some years ago, the boss authoritarian and somewhat despotic was quite common in the bosom of companies. Fortunately, the relationship between the manager and the workers has changed for the better, observing a kind of transversal hierarchy that has little to do with the previous command.

Even so, still existing bosses or toxic people in the company that at a psychological level can reduce our health, mind and productivity in the organization.

What is a toxic boss?

A type of toxic boss is usually one that shows psychopathic and narcissistic traits, with total impunity over others and is considered a person above good and evil. They tend to be despots, they do not care about the values ​​of their workers, only the results and they keep control of the employee in different ways.

Within the heads of this type we find several categories. From the climbers, who benefit from the effort of others; to the arrogant one who usually orders without stopping; and even the insecure that is shielded in third-party figures.

True health risks

People who are continuously subjected to the toxic boss can end up with some health disorders, especially mental, something serious. A recent study by the Business School of the University of Manchester, in the United Kingdom, showed that people who worked for this type of bosses had lower job satisfaction and a higher score on a clinical measure of depression.

The study also established that certain daily situations affected the well-being of employees, and there were more incidents of counterproductive behavior at work and workplace harassment.

Toxic work environment

Despot bosses create a bad work environment. Criticism and stress end up being the dominant trend in the bosom of the company and this hurts relations between workers. The fear, the nervousness, and the continuous irritability are signs of the environment that is diminished by the figure of a boss who does not know how to command.

Dissatisfied employees

As a result of all this a spiral is created that does not end. The workers do not feel motivated with their daily tasks, they do not want to go to work, they are not comfortable in the company and they look for new jobs.

Low productivity

In addition to the psychological damage that may take time to resolve, the toxic boss leads to a reduction in productivity. This usually has negative consequences for the company that sees reducing its sales and the entry of money.

Stress and sick leave

The figure of this type of boss can manipulate the most vulnerable people in your company. This generates situations of stress and anxiety, with continuous episodes of depression and lack of self-esteem that force people to take sick leave. Psychological help will be essential in these cases to move forward, find a new job and face new work lives.

How to survive the despotic boss

Not all the people we meet in a company are the same. When the toxic boss can not be changed and there is no choice but to keep the job, one option is to share space with him without affecting us personally. Although it is difficult, there are various actions that can be taken to deal with toxic bosses.

Do not confront him

Some people have trouble because they try to change the toxic boss. That is something impossible, so, within what you can, you must respond with positivity, make case and respond affirmatively to their claims. And spend something unnoticed in violent situations.

Keep distances

Before a person of such characteristics, it is better to be away. You should always try to understand it in the distance, and comply with the daily work in the best way and within reasonable parameters.

Disconnect

Obviously not in the workplace, although you can always try to make the "bad job" does not affect us. And once outside work, it is better to enjoy and disconnect completely. Exercising, moving, eating healthy, surrounding yourself with friends and practicing a hobby help in the face of stress. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Psychologist. We advise you to consult your trusted Psychologist.

How to Deal with a Toxic Boss (Working in a Toxic Environment) (February 2024)