Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on the workplace, career and leadership in her advice column “ Got a Minute? ” This week: a workplace where complaining is not allowed, a lack of public holidays and a disappointing promotion. It’s not unreasonable to be frustrated by toxic positivity at work. Credit: Dionne Gain My manager has created a workplace culture of toxic positivity.
I feel like I am being gas-lit unless I’m spouting positivity regardless of what is going on with my job and in my workplace. What can I do? The research is clear that toxic positivity – which demands happiness and denies other emotions – can trigger shame, impact connection with others, reduce wellbeing and increase stress. Is your manager someone open to feedback? If so, in the first instance I would try talking to your manager about how you are feeling.
You might be able to ask them for ways to support all employees and all aspects of the human experience. I am sure your manager thinks they are being empathetic but may not be aware they are, in fact, failing to show empathy by minimising feelings different to their own. If your organisation has an EAP service, you can also try and access their services to help manage your own mental health.
You might also like to pick up a copy of Whitney Goodman’s book called Toxic Positivity for further advice. Loading I work at a large manufacturing company and our contracts state we are to work five days per week and if there is a publ.