Workplace toxicity has been a hot topic of discourse over the past few years. With many unfortunate incidents transpiring not just elsewhere but also in India, the focus of many stakeholders has been attuned in the direction of making workspaces more accommodating.

Quiting Without Safety Net

Australian lawyer and anti-bullying activist, who has also been a TEDx speaker, shared her thoughts on another phenomenon attached to a toxic workplace.

In her post on LinkedIn, Stefanie Costi focused on the phenomenon of many employed individuals quitting their companies without a safety net.

Costi started her post with the following statement, "It’s a giant red flag if your employees are quitting without another job lined up. It could mean your workplace is so toxic they’re willing to risk unemployment and their financial stability to escape."

Signs To Look Out For

Advising workplaces on the necessary steps needed to elude such cases, Costi enlisted a number of points that companies need to focus.

Here's why this could be happening:

1. Toxic work culture

2. Expecting people to do ten jobs for one salary

3. No opportunities for growth

4. Lack of recognition

5. Unhealthy leadership

6. No work-life balance

7. Unrealistic expectations

8. They want to try something else.

My advice? If your people are leaving without a job; it’s time to ask yourself some serious questions about the environment you offer, she added.

Escaping Toxic Work Environment

Reacting to the post, some LinkedIn users shared their thoughts in the matter as well.

One user said, "It is perhaps that the employee is so burnt out that they cannot even begin to process themselves in another job to escape their current toxic work environment. That’s what happened to me. I interviewed while I was still employed, and I caught myself saying so much of my company’s current jargon and terms that there was no reasonfor them to hire me. So if people can do it and quit to escape, recover, and then plan their next career move all power to them."

Another LinkedIn user added, "Unfortunately, this is very true. I spent 14 years in an industry that, after COVID-19, has taken a turn for the worse. Where there was once passion and a drive to succeed, there is now a frantic desire to escape."

"When the majority of your staff leaves, it’s a direct reflection of leadership. At that point, it’s crucial to ask yourself some tough questions: Are you truly giving 100 per cent? Are you leading with integrity and vision? The moral of the story is simple—lead by example, and you’ll never have this issue."