How to spot a toxic workplace before accepting a job offer

The next step is to notify the manager. But the situation gets more complicated when managers are the source of hostility. That’s when it should be brought up with HR. If nothing can be done internally, Kotak suggests going to a human rights tribunal or a lawyer. Sick leave might be another option to consider. Leaving a toxic job without a new job lined up is a tug of war between financial health and mental health. McCullough, a certified financial planner, said planning your exit ahead of time can help with the financial stress. First, she says to take stock of fixed expenses, including housing, utilities and recurring bills. Then, look at the expenses that can be controlled. She added it is important to know the baseline for your fixed costs and how much income you’ll need to get by on. “It puts you in a stronger position when you are looking for a job,” she said. When a person knows the bottom line of their cost of living, it helps buy more time to pick a job they would like and save from going into another toxic place. It’s important to know when to leave, Hambley said. Often, people stay longer in a job than they should, expecting things to get better. Instead, it depletes them more. “Don’t stay long. If you can get out, get out,” Hambley said. “You have options. You can stay, you can quit, you can take leave,” she added. “Once people realize that they have different options, that makes it easier to figure out a path forward.”