7 signs of a toxic manager — and what to do about it

USA Today

4 hours ago

If you're constantly being undermined, overwhelmed and ignored by your manager, you might have a toxic boss. A toxic boss demoralizes the people who report to them, stripping them of their sense of belonging, autonomy and purpose.
Lower workplace morale isn't the only effect. In a survey conducted by the career site Monster in April 2024, 54% of surveyed workers cited poor mental health due to a toxic, controlling manager.
'A bad boss can make or break your employment,' says Vicki Salemi, a New York City-based career expert for Monster. 'You may love your job and enjoy time with your colleagues and the company you work for, but at the end of the day, if your boss is toxic, this often surpasses cumulative positive reasons to stay.'
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Signs of a bad manager
Here's how to tell if your boss is toxic, what to do to try to improve your situation and when to consider walking away.
Trying to make a lower-level employee look bad is a hallmark of an unsupportive manager. Pay attention to the ways your manager refers to you in group emails or meetings. If your boss downgrades your work or disrespects you, this is a huge red flag.
'Your manager should be someone you think of as trustworthy. They should always have your back,' Salemi says. 'Whether you're in the room or not, they sing your praises.'
Some managers assume that if they're responsible for their team's failures, they should also take credit for all its successes. Not true, says Salemi. A strong leader will always try to make you look good whenever possible.
'They shine a spotlight on you when it's appropriate,' she says. 'For instance, in a meeting, especially if you're not there and their boss praises the team for its work, they'll give credit where credit is due — to you — rather than implying they did all the work themselves.'
Empathy is a vital trait for any manager, enabling them to connect with their direct reports and lead with compassion and understanding. Unfortunately, toxic leadership lacks this trait.
Salemi uses the following example: 'Maybe your child had to go to the emergency room, so you missed a deadline. Your boss shamed you for missing the deadline as if it's the only important thing, rather than offering you empathy, support, and flexibility you need during a scary and stressful personal time.'
A manager who checks in excessively, nitpicks your work or demands a detailed accounting of how you spend every moment of your workday is another example of toxicity. These behaviors can indicate a lack of trust, a need for control, insecurity in their role or simply poor delegation skills.
Regardless of the root cause, a micromanaging boss can erode your motivation to work. A 2023 American Psychological Association survey found that four in 10 U.S. workers feel micromanaged at work; those who are micromanaged report nearly double the stress and tension compared to non-micromanaged workers.
Expecting you to do the work of three people without adjusting timelines or compensation is a classic sign of toxic leadership. Unrealistic demands can lead to burnout, resentment and a loss of productivity across the entire team.
'Say you're in a team meeting,' Salemi notes. 'You and four colleagues worked collaboratively on a project, but your boss only gives accolades and shines a spotlight on one person, their go-to favorite. That's a sign of toxic leadership.'
A manager who fosters cliques, withholds praise selectively or encourages rivalry among teammates erodes trust and unity. This kind of workplace tension is a breeding ground for dysfunction.
If your boss becomes defensive, dismissive or retaliatory when given constructive feedback, it signals poor emotional intelligence and a fixed mindset — two significant obstacles to effective leadership. Salemi notes that in these situations, a toxic leader might try to place the blame on anyone else they can to shift attention away from their inadequacies.
How to deal with a toxic boss at work
Identifying a toxic manager, while painful, is the easy part. If you're stuck working for a toxic manager, it can feel paralyzing. But there are steps you can take to protect your well-being and possibly improve your circumstances — starting with these three.
If you feel safe doing so, try raising concerns in a clear, calm and professional way. Your manager might not realize their behavior is affecting you and may be open to change.
'First, prepare what you're going to say with specific examples,' Salemi suggests. 'It's OK to go into the meeting with notes in your hand or on your phone.'
She suggests the following steps:
Your boss may deflect, be in denial or try to gaslight you, but it's essential to remain calm. Keep an ongoing file to document the conversation in case you need to escalate it to HR or their supervisor. You'll have a record of the conversation date, topics discussed, and the outcome.
You can tap human resources for help with a bad boss, but only under certain circumstances.
'If it's a discrimination issue, then absolutely go to HR,' Salemi says. 'But if it's something like your boss playing favorites, that can be viewed as more subjective.'
Salemi says you might have another wildcard option as summer vacations approach. If your boss is on vacation and has delegated tasks to you, try to schedule a time on their boss's calendar to check in and provide updates so they can see your diligence and follow-through.
'It's not a one-size-fits-all approach, but it's more to get onto your boss's boss's radar screen so they can interact with you and see your hard work firsthand,' she says.
When to move on from a toxic work environment
While you can sometimes improve your situation in a workplace with a bad boss, you're fighting a built-in hierarchy. You cannot usually change your boss or their management style,' Salemi says.
Only you know the dynamics and politics of your current job, but if you've exhausted all your options, it's time to get out. As frustrating as the situation may be, you can apply the lessons learned to your next role.
"Identify the worst traits of your current boss so you can seek the opposite in your next boss,' she says. If your boss ignores you, then during your next job interview, pay attention to see how your prospective new boss listens, makes eye contact and interacts with you."