13 Signs That Tell You Your Boss Is Toxic

When it comes to work, having a boss who is supportive and pushes you to work hard is a dream. In fact, one of the major reasons for people to leave their job is because of the kind of manager they have.

So, naturally, if you're someone who keeps feeling time and again that your boss isn't supportive towards you and your work and finds a way to continuously criticise it, maybe it isn't in your head. Maybe, the problem is with your boss.

Sure, you can go around asking your colleagues if they feel the same, but the way your boss treats you can really make or break your motivation in your current company. Not just that, it can also affect your mental health severely.

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So, don't keep churning it in your head that if you have a bad boss, here are some signs proving that you have a toxic manager :

1. They Constantly Turn Down Your Ideas

Sure, your manager keeps emphasising how much they need fresh ideas. But when you try to share some to improve the way your team works, they don't really care about your opinion or the fact that their way of working is outdated. Moreover, all they care about is the status quo.

2. They Play Favourites

The first rule for a manager who is leading a team is that there shouldn't be any partiality based on personal preferences. But if your boss keeps praising one person for the same work that you and that person are doing, they are playing favourites.

3. They Criticise You When You Ask For Help

Let's say you have a doubt about a certain project handed over to you or are confused about how you should go ahead with it. So, you reach your manager to clarify your doubts about it. But instead of helping you out and clarifying your queries, your manager criticises you for not understanding them.

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4. They Set Unrealistic Expectations

Does your boss demand that you stay hours after closing? Or expect every report to be perfect, without giving you a chance to improve? Do they ask you to work on the weekends or call you at oddly hours after office? If the bar is purposefully set out of your reach and your boss doesn¡¯t give you feedback to help you meet standards, they¡¯re toxic.

5. They Never Notice Or Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

If you're doing a great job at work, finishing things before the deadline and everyone sees it other than your boss, then it may be an issue with them. The worse is whenever you do get compliments from others, your manager may belittle the compliment or take credit for your ideas. They may try to shift the topic from you every time people try to appreciate you.

6. Not Only Do They Not Admit Their Shortcomings But They also Blame It On You

While they love complaining about others¡¯ minor mistakes, some bosses have a hard time admitting (or sometimes even recognizing) their own flaws. Moreover, if the matter goes out of hand, they go with the usual blame game and point you out for their own incompetency.

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7. They Throw Fits Rather Than Handling Situations Professionally

There might be a lot of times when your team isn't doing well and is under a lot of pressure. But instead of churning out ways to fix it, your boss starts and shouting over the smallest of things. Not only does it end up making the environment unproductive but also makes it unsafe.

8. They Are All About Numbers Rather Than Employee Wellbeing

If your manager constantly asks for results or progress reports but fails to even ask their subordinates how they are doing, that can often lead to feelings of resentment as their employees start to think that you don¡¯t care about their wellbeing at all. Requesting time off is always an issue and your manager would much rather prefer if your personal life was non-existent.

9. They Expect You To Make Zero Mistakes No Matter What

Sure, making errors all the time isn't something that gives a good impression. But you¡¯re always afraid to make a mistake and fear getting in trouble if you do so. Even if expectations may be unclear, any type of failure gives your manager the impression that you¡¯re incompetent, which isn¡¯t true. They also make sure to not pass over the work that you deserve.

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10. They Are Rude

Your manager constantly says things that leave you shocked. They make condescending or outright disrespectful remarks. Or, worse, they wait to email you passive-aggressive remarks, disguised as feedback, while seeming kind in person. They diminish your value or make you feel small. They may even belittle you in front of other subordinates instead of taking you to a private place to do so.

11. You're Suddenly Underperforming Because Of Them

When you were hired, you were full of zeal and new ideas but over time you've realized that none of your ideas or the work you want to do will be approved or even considered by your manager. So, now you're doing your work half-heartedly and suddenly extremely unproductive.

12. They Expect You To Do Their Job

Toxic bosses love taking credit for other people's work. Moreover, they also like the power they get so they can boss around their subordinates. They might even try to pass off their duties to you making you work overtime and not getting any extra income, but without giving you the credit you deserve, of course.

13. They Make You Do Their Personal Work

In order to get a good appraisal and good credits, an employee needs to follow their manager's orders. But when those orders aren't restricted just to the office then things are going south. Your boss makes you do their personal stuff like household chores or taking them to a doctor's appointment. Stuff that is obviously not a part of your KRA.

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So, how many of these qualities does your manager have?