30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace

Whenjob hunting, many of us are willing to do just about anything to get hired. But in the process, we tend to forget that it’s not just companies interviewing us—we’re also interviewing them. That’s why, when we get the chance, we need to think twice before accepting the final offer.

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“We wear many hats here” means you’ll be doing two or three jobs for the price of oneRELATED:No respect for breaks. Expects you to work through lunch.When the manager makes excuses for the coworker’s laziness. They favor the lazy coworker and punish the hard worker with more work.Bored Pandareached out toCountry, the poster behind the viral Threads question, to find out what inspired him to ask it.As an award-winning event manager, multicultural marketer, and digital creator, he’s spent his career bridging culture, conversation, and brand storytelling—so he’s seen it all.“I’ve worked entry-level jobs in fast food, retail, and call centers, and now I manage marketing campaigns for brands like the Super Bowl, Oprah Winfrey, and the FDA’s Fresh Empire initiative,” he told us. “I’ve seen both sides, from struggling to get a lunch break to leading teams on multimillion-dollar projects. I wanted to start a conversation that let people share their experiences and recognize the warning signs of a toxic job before they get stuck in one.”They tell you don’t talk about payWhen there are more than 3 interview stages. Worked for the companies like that. Company culture was always toxic.Your boss is the owner’s child.When the manager texts the entire group about a mistake you did instead of just directly messaging youWhen people constantly talk sh*t behind peoples back and then being fake to them 😭when you start your first day and realize…almost every one just started working there. it’s giving high turnover“We’re like a close knit family here.”When there is no professionalism, a lot of gossip, and also the managers never care about u as a human and only the customers matterHigher ups playing favorites ( managers/ supervisors )They are late to the interview they set up. Immediately noWhen the post asks for a “rockstar” “ninja” or “unicorn”As soon as your manager talks negatively about one of your teammates in your department, it’s over.A clearly s**t manager from the word go who contacts you at 7pm at night asking you to do something you’ve never done before and insists they have it first thing in the morning, then chastises you for not knowing the process of the task they have assigned.Getting PTO approved requires you to jump through any hoopSee Also on Bored Pandaweekly working lunches.every single time i’ve worked at a place like this, the leadership had NO boundariesPeople eating lunch in their cars. It usually means they can’t eat in peace without being interrupted for work.When orientation or onboarding isn’t planned out properly. This happened at my current job that should’ve been a red flag 🚩 to me 7 months ago. However, I will be leaving tomorrow. Last day thank goodness 😅When the tagline says that they’re looking for highly motivated self starters.. aka we won’t help you / train you properly so you better be able to think quickly on your feetSee Also on Bored PandaWhen the manager starts texting you, pretending to be a friend the first two weeks.ITS A SETUP. RUN. WHEN. THIS. HAPPENS.“Everyone does everything”Bait & switch. They called you in for a social media management position but then say we don’t do that here - this job is direct sales.Majority of employees are rude / unwelcomingSee Also on Bored PandaBeing given a “new” manager on your first day because the one who hired you quit.1.the bosses favors the obviously bad employees who can’t work independently and try to pass their job responsibility to you2. The Managers & Executive Secretaries can’t construct a simple business letters3. Micro managing4. They appoint people who are unqualified for the job5. The Human Resources department are gaslighters and always condescending6. When they are related to each otherWhen the person training you leaves after a week lmaoSee Also on Bored PandaPeople not saying greetings to each other at the start of the day.maga bumper stickers throughout the parking lotNote: this post originally had86images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

“We wear many hats here” means you’ll be doing two or three jobs for the price of one

Employee stressed at desk, illustrating toxic workplace red flags.

No respect for breaks. Expects you to work through lunch.

Person in a red blazer working on a laptop at a café table, highlighting potential toxic workplace red flags.

When the manager makes excuses for the coworker’s laziness. They favor the lazy coworker and punish the hard worker with more work.

30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace

Bored Pandareached out toCountry, the poster behind the viral Threads question, to find out what inspired him to ask it.As an award-winning event manager, multicultural marketer, and digital creator, he’s spent his career bridging culture, conversation, and brand storytelling—so he’s seen it all.“I’ve worked entry-level jobs in fast food, retail, and call centers, and now I manage marketing campaigns for brands like the Super Bowl, Oprah Winfrey, and the FDA’s Fresh Empire initiative,” he told us. “I’ve seen both sides, from struggling to get a lunch break to leading teams on multimillion-dollar projects. I wanted to start a conversation that let people share their experiences and recognize the warning signs of a toxic job before they get stuck in one.”

Bored Pandareached out toCountry, the poster behind the viral Threads question, to find out what inspired him to ask it.

As an award-winning event manager, multicultural marketer, and digital creator, he’s spent his career bridging culture, conversation, and brand storytelling—so he’s seen it all.

“I’ve worked entry-level jobs in fast food, retail, and call centers, and now I manage marketing campaigns for brands like the Super Bowl, Oprah Winfrey, and the FDA’s Fresh Empire initiative,” he told us. “I’ve seen both sides, from struggling to get a lunch break to leading teams on multimillion-dollar projects. I wanted to start a conversation that let people share their experiences and recognize the warning signs of a toxic job before they get stuck in one.”

They tell you don’t talk about pay

Two women discussing documents in a potentially toxic workplace setting at a desk.

When there are more than 3 interview stages. Worked for the companies like that. Company culture was always toxic.

Person in an office meeting, showing potential signs of a toxic workplace environment.

Your boss is the owner’s child.

Two women in a workplace discussing over a tablet and a notebook, illustrating signs of a toxic workplace environment.

When the manager texts the entire group about a mistake you did instead of just directly messaging you

Man in white shirt looking at phone by a window, representing workplace red flags.

When people constantly talk sh*t behind peoples back and then being fake to them 😭

People smiling and shaking hands in an office, potentially masking toxic workplace red flags.

when you start your first day and realize…almost every one just started working there. it’s giving high turnover

Three people in a discussion around a laptop, potentially highlighting signs of a toxic workplace environment.

“We’re like a close knit family here.”

Man in professional attire discussing workplace red flags.

When there is no professionalism, a lot of gossip, and also the managers never care about u as a human and only the customers matter

30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace

Higher ups playing favorites ( managers/ supervisors )

They are late to the interview they set up. Immediately no

Man in white shirt checking watch, seated with laptop; potential workplace toxic red flag.

When the post asks for a “rockstar” “ninja” or “unicorn”

A woman in glasses works on a laptop at a desk, highlighting workplace elements and potential red flags.

As soon as your manager talks negatively about one of your teammates in your department, it’s over.

Two women in casual meeting, discussing workplace toxicity signs.

A clearly s**t manager from the word go who contacts you at 7pm at night asking you to do something you’ve never done before and insists they have it first thing in the morning, then chastises you for not knowing the process of the task they have assigned.

30 Things That Happen Only In A Toxic Workplace

Getting PTO approved requires you to jump through any hoop

Person sitting in a dimly lit office, focused on a bright laptop, depicting a potentially toxic workplace environment.