Signs of an Unhealthy Work Culture

This list came from years of noticing the same patterns across teams, sectors, and systems.

It’s not exhaustive. It’s not a diagnosis.
It’s a mirror—offered in case you’ve ever felt the same, and didn’t know what to call it.

You might be here because you're living in one of these cultures now.
Or because you're trying to lead something different.

Either way, this is one place to begin.

• everyone is 'nice' - people feel they don't want to (or can't) raise issues or healthy challenge

• water cooler gossip is rife

• long hours normalised

• lack of compassion for others (e.g. quick to judge and assume the worst, no time taken to explore)

• no means to influence policies and procedures

• staff disagreements are not prioritised

• bullying

• not feeling safe to speak out

• cultural norms encourage group think

• frustrated or upset employees leave

• employees disengage

• political alliances are a way to get ahead

• expressed values and observed behaviours are in conflict (especially in leadership figures)

• new employees who are recruited because of their difference rapidly comply with the cultural norms and abandon what makes them unique

• the organisation doesn't have processes that value the sharing of tensions as a source of learning and creativity

• training/coaching is not available for employees
  

  • enhance self-awareness and emotional intelligence

  • how to explore team tensions safely

  • emotional awareness