50 Appalling Photos From Workplaces That Should Be Shut Down For Being So Toxic (New Pics)

In 2021, we saw the Great Resignation, where millions of employees said “enough is enough” and left their jobs in search of higher salaries, better opportunities and a healthier work-life balance. But according to Universum, this trend isn’t completely over, as recent research shows that we’re entering the Great Re-Resignation.

As it turns out, 36% of highly skilled professionals in Europe are considering quitting their jobs this year. And when it comes to why employees are jumping ship, being forced to return to the office is a significant factor. Workers also aren’t happy with having stagnant wages and lack of growth opportunities in their careers.  

Universum’s data also found that many employees are unhappy with their current company’s lack of investment in training and development. It’s difficult to find any motivation to stay in their current positions if they could be in the exact same spot five years down the road. 

At the same time, many workers’ priorities have shifted in recent years. Nowadays, having flexible working hours, the option to work from home and an opportunity for a healthier work-life balance are invaluable to employees. Gone are the days when people lived to work; most of us today are simply working to live.

We’ve all heard of “quiet quitting,” but have you heard of “revenge quitting”? According to Harper’s Bazaar, this is the latest trend that employees around the world are hopping onto. This is when employees reach a point of feeling so burnt out, frustrated and dissatisfied with their positions that they simply decide one day that they can’t take it anymore. While some experts advise that workers don’t make any snap decisions and quit at the drop of a hat, the relief that comes from knowing you’re finally free from a toxic work environment can be priceless.

One of the biggest factors pushing employees away from their current jobs is the feeling of being burnt out. In fact, a recent survey from Moodle found that a whopping 66% of workers in the U.S. are experiencing burnout. This stems from a variety of reasons, including not having enough time to complete tasks, not having the resources to properly do their jobs, worrying about the economy being poor, being expected to take on too much labor due to shortages and worrying about how AI will impact careers.    

Because employees are demanding better working environments, companies are facing new challenges that they haven’t had to worry about before. Gallup warns that many workers’ performance might be impacted by how detached they’re becoming from their jobs. And the tragic state of the current job market is leading to more frustrated and dissatisfied employees. In fact, employee life evaluation has recently hit a record low in the United States.     

Many workers are unhappy with how their employers have integrated AI into their workplace as well. Gallup found that only a third of workers say their companies have started using AI to improve business processes. Meanwhile, childcare is a huge issue for working mothers. When they can’t find affordable and reliable childcare, many are forced to simply leave their careers behind. And when it comes to how employees feel about their managers, many say that they’re receiving far too little recognition for accomplishments and feedback on their performance.  

So if you happen to find yourself in a toxic work environment, what can you do about that? Healthline says it’s important to first recognize that it’s not your fault. You’re not causing the negativity in your workplace, so don’t feel responsible for fixing it. Now, it may be helpful to take your lunch break outside or in a private location away from the stress of work. And remember to set boundaries to keep your work-life balance as healthy as possible. Try to minimize how much you think and talk about work in your free time.   

It’s also important to stay out of the drama that may be taking place in your office. Stay focused on yourself and your own goals, Healthline recommends. And make sure that you have some sort of ritual or relaxation plan to ensure you can decompress after a long day at work. Find a few key trusted coworkers if you can, and minimize interactions with anyone you consider toxic. And if the environment is taking a huge toll on you or your mental health, don’t be afraid to start planning your exit. 

We hope that the photos on this list don’t remind you of your own workplace, pandas. But if they do, we recommend you start creating an exit strategy! Keep upvoting the pics that you find most appalling. And then, if you’re interested in checking out even more photos from unhealthy workplaces, we’ve got the perfect Bored Panda list for you to read next right here!