Psychotherapist shares key warning signs you’re working for a toxic boss

A psychotherapist has shared the key warning signs that you’re working for a toxic boss, and some of them might be a little bit surprising.

In an ideal world, we’d all get along swimmingly with our colleagues and higher-ups in the workplace.

Sadly, in real life, things can be a little bit trickier and personalities can clash, but just because you and your boss aren’t best pals, it doesn’t mean that they’re toxic.

However, according to psychotherapist Kathleen Saxton, some employers can take things to the extreme and it could be a big warning sign that you need to look elsewhere for work.

So, what do you need to be looking out for?

Well, according to Saxton, who wrote an article about toxic bosses for the Daily Mail, charm is often the first sign.

A psychotherapist has shared the key things to look out for (Getty stock image)

Yep, it might not sound like such a bad thing but if your new boss comes across a bit of a ‘love-bomber’ and is full of praise then watch out because it might not last and could be laying the groundwork for something a little more sinister.

According to Saxton, once the charm offensive has won you over, you might find your boss’s personality suddenly changes.

She explained: “Those early golden days become a version of reality you’re constantly trying to get back to. After the charm comes a psychological principle known as ‘intermittent reinforcement’ where reward is delivered just often enough to keep you engaged.”

She goes on to note that a toxic boss will flip between ‘warmth and withdrawal’ in an unpredictable manner leaving the employee unsure of where they stand.

Saxton went on to highlight some phrases a toxic boss might use that should set you on ‘high alert’.

If you’ve ever been told: ‘You’re too emotional, too sensitive’ or ‘If you cared about this job, you’d make it work’ or ‘You’re lucky to even be here’, then Saxton’s advice is to run for the hills and find yourself work elsewhere.

The psychotherapist also reckons that when it comes to determining if your boss is a nightmare to work for, it pays to listen to how you’re feeling.

The expert says working for a toxic employer can take its toll (Getty stock image)

She suggests asking yourself how you feel in the presence of your boss and points out that while it’s completely normal to feel nervous if you have a big meeting or presentation lined but if you’re experiencing ‘a terrible twist in your stomach, heart palpitations or even mental dissociation’ then you may be dealing with a toxic working environment.

Saxton notes that dealing with a boss who is bad news can take its toll on your emotional and physical health, and highlighted one case where a woman was left with chronic insomnia, irritability and tension headaches as well as a loss of appetite.

If you do find yourself in that situation, Saxton recommends speaking to your friends and family about what’s going on.

She also suggests that in some case, the damage could be so bad that you may need to seek professional help to process it.