Toxic environment

How might we as architects participate in creating better future, if we consider toxic as normal?

Working conditions are determined by employment relations and the quality of the work environment. It refers not only to the physical environment but above all to relationships. Toxic behaviours are the absence of boundaries and unhealthy work habits and communication strategies that can lead to undue stress and health problems. Toxic environments are frequent among hierarchical, performance-oriented organisations where open communication, giving feedback or iterating on processes is not common. Newcomers are rarely able to change the organisation’s status quo.

1. “I cried when I received my biggest monthly salary, not out of joy but due to my long-term exhaustion and the horror of selling out myself as a person.”
2. “We work an insane number of hours and have virtually no time for a personal life – vacations or even simple doctor visits worry us because we feel that we are wasting time.”
3. “Working in unreasonable conditions is not physically or mentally possible in the long term. I now work in acceptable working conditions, which we eventually created ourselves.”

You feel safe, welcome and seen.

You are more than welcome to be yourself, and to work and act as you wish and need, as long as you do not threaten the needs of others.

Boundaries between work and life are set.

Nobody asks you on Friday afternoon to deliver the task on Monday morning. You don’t have to work long hours and get pizza as a reward.

Interpersonal relationships are respectful and trustful.

No gaslighting, manipulation or using others’ trigger points.

Mistakes are a natural part of the process.

Making mistakes allows one to learn. Do not search for mistakes, but when they happen, focus on the solution, not on punishing the culprit.

Personal growth is welcome.

If you were more than a CAD monkey, your personal growth would be more than welcome.