Toxic work environment

[Rossana]

I work in a toxic schoolm it's pretty fancy in Sydney, there is a high turnover of staff, there is disparity, everything's unfair and bully... it is effecting my mental health and I cannot leave... also I don't want they win on me!!! But I cannot think about nothing else.... I start doubting my job experiences and ability. 

[Jynx]

Hey @Rossana - oh that is SO hard. I think that there isn't always understanding about how heavily a toxic workplace can impact our mental health! That self-doubt is hard to contend with, but it can help to remember that as our mental health is impacted, so too is our resilience. Things that wouldn't normally get to us can suddenly feel like truth, and add to the spiral. 

Is it bad enough that you could maybe contact WorkSafe? Bullying is never okay, and it sounds like you're not the only one impacted by this! 

Can also help to put energy towards other areas of our life, like our passions and hobbies, or our relationships, to help balance out the distress. Can be tricky if we have little energy though, for sure! But I've found that when my self-esteem is getting a hit from one angle, it can help to boost it up from another 😉

Do you have much in the way of support, either social or professional? 

[Lirial]

Hi Rosanna

I experienced similar at a rural school. I left 9 months ago, and am slowy starting to recover. I spoke to former staff who left, and they all had the same to share. It is horrible, and the worst part is, there are no laws that protect people from emotional abusive management. I tried to fight it up to the CEO, and they did not care either. How companies/managers get away with how they treat people is horrific! 

What I found to keep me grounded was to go to work, keep my head down and go home. I spent a lot of time looking for new

employment. While you are hanging in there, look after your mental health. See a GP and get it documented so you can take time off if needed. After hours, get yourself moving or do something so you do not get stuck in your head. I started doing paint by numbers while listening to music. I still do, because I can't forget what i have been through. 

I am now at a new school, which has its own issues (they all have). But the people are great and supportive. 

[MissinTooth]

Hi @Lirial @Rossana 

I'm a teacher and I actually left the profession in 2023. Only to return to it 6 months later in a different state of Australia, but that's another story entirely. 

I left for a number of reasons, but one of those reasons was the toxicity of my work environment and the lack of support. There were moments, where I was attacked by students, bullied by one particular staff member and made to feel as if I was inadequate in my job by leadership. One day, while home very unwell with COVID (I couldn't even walk to the toilet) the principal had my laptop delivered to my doorstep with the expectation that "I complete the tasks he'd emailed me from home," he needed them done that day. 

It didn't take long before I hit pretty severe burnout and I needed to get out because...I had the sense that I wasn't going to survive my job. So, I did something extreme and I really don't recommend it...

I resigned from my job, which also meant that I lost my housing (I was living in a school house), I got rid of all of furniture and things and I drove myself and my dog across Australia to live with someone I had only met once before. It wasn't a positive experience. 

I'm back teaching now, but I find myself in a position of questioning whether it's a good move for me. I'm also back in my home state, which I have no regrets about. 

My advice is the same as what others have given you - document everything, so you have evidence that can back you up, set boundaries, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself. 

[Rossana]

No not much support... I have moved to Australia years ago but a part of my husband I wasn't able to build strong friendships in these years. I will check WorkSafe thank you for that.

[tyme]

Hey @Rossana @MissinTooth @Lirial ,

Thank you for sharing your stories.

What I found that there has been a change since COVID. In the past, staff welfare wasn't really a priority. 

However, after COVID, staff welfare has been prioritised in a lot of states. 

In Victoria, there is a system where you report psychological abuse or any other work safety issues through their Edusafe system. These then go to the principal and department of education. I'm not sure if you have these systems in place where you work.

Whatever it is, safety (including psychological safety) at work must be taken very seriously.

[tyme]

Hi @Rossana , how are you going?

[Rossana]

@tyme Hi! Thank you for checking in. I’m okay — the school holidays are almost over, and I’ve started having gastritis episodes and waking up several times during the night. I’m dreading the idea of facing and dealing with certain people, but I’ve really missed my classroom children!

[tyme]

Do you think the gut issues are related to stress @Rossana ?

I hope you find a way to stay connected. My nieces and nephews will be going back to school next week. 

My sister is a teacher. I've been in the education industry in the past so I know what it's like.

Please look after yourself.

[Rossana]

@tyme I think it is related to stress, yes! Thank you for your words!