#toxicenvironment

I've worked in some difficult environments before, but nothing has prepared me for what this place has become. It feels less like a company and more like a dystopian novel where nobody's safe and nothing makes sense.

It’s been exactly one year since my short meeting that ended my time at USAA. I stopped by here to see how things are going, and all I can say is I feel bad for everyone still stuck there. Even when I left, getting work done was already a nightmare, and from what I can see, it’s only gotten worse since then. If you can, I’d seriously suggest trying to leave. My layoff ended up being exactly what I needed to get out of a toxic place and find something where I don’t dread even the thought of work.

I just started my career at Nike and I think I made a huge mistake joining. My manager is impossible. Every week he either ki-ls our ideas, adds random nonsense to our projects, or just criticizes for no reason depending on his mood. He doesn't understand the technical work but tells us how to do it anyway. Then later he asks why we did it that way. He interrupts everyone constantly and yells at least three days a week. I'm so tired. Is this the norm when it comes to managers here?

I used to think stress was just in my head, but now my body is telling me otherwise. I have constant headaches, trouble sleeping, and no energy. My doctor asked if I was okay at work. I didn't know what to say.

The layoffs are always happening. The changes never stop. The goals are made up. Nothing makes sense. I've never seen a place so consistently designed to make people miserable. I think they want us to quit.

In fact, I wish I’d left sooner. I stayed because Verizon still had this reputation that made it sound like a career making place to work, and everyone around me kept reinforcing it. Looking back, I spent years putting up with bad leadership and a toxic environment because I thought the name alone made it worth it. The hardest part is realizing how much time I burned before accepting the place had changed a long time ago.

Even our doctor is getting replaced with a Indian. Seriously, how is the mental health at this company? Every coworker i know in the past doesn't talk any longer, its like everyone is zip. Absolute worst company, and worst treatment of humans of any company i've ever worked.

I wonder if I committed mortal sin in a past life and my sentencing is being stuck at this company

Now I think they actually enjoy it. The cruelty isn't a side effect. It's the goal.

My department has a lot of deadweight and has been toxic/hostile since the start of the pandemic. I was hopeful there would be some clean up with the RIF but it doesn’t seem like we’re part of it since most of us are low level.

The head of my department appears to have been publicly demoted but that seems like the only impact. We’re back in the office full time but we’re not developers or project manager. What’s the point of us going back full time if the in office weeks will stay the same?! It’s impossible to get work done in the office because of how bad the culture is.

I’m kind of devastated. I was honestly hoping for better days after how much of an impact the last few years have had on my health.

Abby, you win. I am going to try to leave. I woke up thinking about how bad things are.

The reality is that T has far more FTEs than the other guys. I totally get the need from an operating expense perspective to reduce headcount but the reality is the work still needs to get done. Having said, that contractors will be where the work ends up so there are still jobs out there, probably working for a company with a less toxic environment.

Toxic culture lies at the root of the challenges BD is facing today. How did it begin? It started with bias in hiring. Individuals with limited capability were brought in and eventually promoted into leadership roles. These 'leaders' have created an environment where people no longer feel safe sharing honest opinions. Add rampant corruption to that. 'Leaders' have hardly any sense of integrity.

Over time, the situation has only worsened, and there’s little evidence that BD is taking meaningful action to address it. Business teams lack a clear understanding of how operations actually run, while technology teams tend to hide behind jargon rather than communicate effectively.

It’s unfortunate that a handful of poor hiring decisions have led to this level of dysfunction—something we proudly refer to as the “BD Way.” As long as this “BD Way” continues, meaningful change at BD will remain out of reach.

So mismanagement loses the Marriott account and immediately out come the travel cuts! I don't think we will T&E our way out of this poorly run company! Does stopping manager travel and meetings, training events, back filling roles send the right message? How about stripping Senior Leaders bonuses? Those bloated million dollars payouts for poor performance? And if you say we will lose them so be it there has not been a strategic decision made in over 5 years! Funny how we blow smoke up everyone's butts on Town Halls but behind the scenes we do this cr-p!

This is a great place to work and has such a bright future ahead with Transformation well underway. It is so great, that we have had over 400+ employees quit on their own, so far. It is expected that at least 50% + of the Calgary campus will quit or leave in the near future. End result = lower cost of moving.

Not only does the company recognize it, but they embrace it! There is an ICN (former NAP) event coming soon, titled "Head Shots". For only $7.50, they will get a photographer to provide you with a professional Head Shot, perfect for an updated LinkedIn Profile so that you can look amazing as you browse for your future new Job (somewhere else...).

We are so effective in creating a toxic workplace that most people want to leave now if they haven't already... To sweeten the deal, they will help you "look" your best for that new job. The final cherry on top, they are so generous and now offering EARLY relocation options to Edmonton. So thoughtful and considerate.... Wonderful. Bravo.

If you know your stuff, you'll solve any technical problem. But you can't fix toxic. You can't fix dysfunction, disrespect, or incompetence. The people who actually do the work get undermined, questioned, and suffocated by a culture engineered from the top. I've never stressed over a task, sometimes I've even been proud of the outcome. But I dread coming in because of the people and the sick, bloated beast this company is.

the most overlooked dynamics in a toxic workplace is the clash between a high performer and a su-ky mgr…

on paper, it doesnt make sense. Here u have someone who is proactive… engaged, and solution-oriented reporting to someone who should want exactly that. But the tension isn’t really about intent… it’s about how they fu--ing operate.

Hi performers focus on outcomes. they question inefficiencies and suggest improvments…. Su-ky ineffective managers, on the other hand focus on control. they avoid risk, interpret questions as pushback, and spend way too much energy covering for their own shortcomings.

so when a high performer tries to make things better, the manager doesn’t hear the idea. they hear that they’re doing something wrong…that’s where the toxic cycle begins. instead of engaging with the idea or the solution their focus shifts to the person presenting it.

from there, it usually goes one of two ways. the high performer keeps pushing, keeps offering ideas, and gets labeled as difficult. Or they go silent, stop questioning, stop contributing beyond what’s asked, and get labeled as disengaged and utter sh-t.

from the outside, both look like problems. but they’re not. they’re what happens when confidence meets insecurity.

if you’re a high performer at WFB dealing with this, the right environment won’t make you feel like you need to shrink just to survive or be effective…

Outside of now being a toxic place to work, has anyone come across a mgr or VP that should be reported to HR?

I’m finally done, and I need to put this out there for anyone still grinding in the Greater Boston market. The culture here has become a total train wreck, and it is absolutely tanking people’s mental health.

The upper management on the landline side is a disaster. There is a senior leader who refuses to actually lead; instead, this person acts like a glorified first-liner. They are out there in a company car—the only one at that level who even has one—driving around for the sole purpose of harassing and micromanaging everyone in the field. It’s not about the work anymore; it’s about power trips and surveillance.

The middle management working in that chain are an even bigger joke. They’ve leaned entirely into a toxic style that makes the day-to-day miserable. There is zero respect for the craft and even less for the people.

Literally everyone I work with is updating their resume and looking for a way out. Nobody wants to deal with this garbage anymore. If you’re looking at a req for this area, do yourself a favor and run the other way. No paycheck is worth the mental toll this place takes.

To those still in the trenches: keep your heads up and keep applying elsewhere. There’s life after Big Red.

I keep hearing this CEO and management saying it’s all about the customer . Focus is on the customer and their experience. Yet I deal with a lot of customers daily for years and not one of them ever says they enjoy dealing with Ai when calling in or speaking to someone outsourced they don’t understand. It’s really odd how you say it’s about the customer but nothing you’re doing is going to benefit the customers. Letting go of 25-30k people … that’s gonna positively affect 1 thing … the CEO bank account in 3 years … it will make the customer experience dealing with verizon worse . Cellphone signal has gotten horrible in last 5 years since they sold off towers …. Are they investing to fix it ? Expanding Fios without govt welfare? Verizon is now one of the most toxic work environments out there …. It used to be just inside culture but it’s taken over the whole company . Greed at the top is disgraceful as they sc--w the thousands that built Verizon

I have been laid off after more than 20 years as a physician. It was a huge shock, with no warning—just an invitation to a Teams meeting! Inhumane! On the other hand, it was a relief after working nonstop in a horrible, toxic environment and wondering every day how much longer I could tolerate it. If you still work at Optum/WellMed clinic-leave!—do yourself a favor and don’t waste your time waiting for the next layoff.

I didn’t think it was possible but it seems as though the experience at Nike has only increased in toxicity. I cannot even imagine being there now. I left many years ago after 22 years.

I thought I'd feel better right away but I was so wrong. It took months. Months of not being there to undo what that toxic place did to me. They take everything. Your energy, your optimism, your sense of self. Getting it back takes time. I'm now so happy to be away, I can't even describe it. If you can, leave. You'll feel like a new person.

They decided everything about the old way was bad. So they changed it all. Constant layoffs now. A reorganization that failed completely. Revenue keeps dropping. All they focus on is cutting costs. Ethics failures keep happening. Promotions go to the wrong people. The environment is toxic. Fear and distrust are everywhere. Leadership never tells us anything useful. If you hated what Ford used to be, you'll love what it's become. The rest of us are just watching it fall apart.

I came here excited about the work. I was full of ideas and wanting to make things better. Open Text took all of that from me. They don't cultivate innovation. They don't even pretend to. Any new idea gets met with bureaucracy, indifference, or outright hostility. And the toxicity, the constant politics and fear and backstabbing, it leaches into you. I noticed my creativity slipping away. First the big ideas stopped coming, then the small ones, and now I don't even try. If you're still new here, get out before you become as disillusioned as me.

Does anyone who has an ear to the C-suite or close to it know if another VRP offer will be coming in 2026? I am eligible for it based on age and trying to weigh my options as to whether to wait and see if I get an offer, or just retire from this dumpster fire. This work environment is so toxic and it's not worth it anymore - it hasn't been for a long time actually. Appreciate any insight anyone may have.

Yes, even with this economy and the dismal job market. That's how unbearable this place has become for me.

We had some bs under Charlie but never have i ever experienced anything like this now under Robin. It has become so toxic and everyday could be your last with what they have been doing to employees. And yet he goes on the news or does his little interviews and has everyone thinking hes amazing and doing great things

Epam HR and internal big brother tooling make work environment absolutely toxic and anxious. Now we all fight for one position which advertised as “any location”. As a full stack lead, I need to self apply to many so called open roles, to find that i am one of dozens of candidates, pass interviews and find out that my rate card is above SOW. Or someone is better fit, or project postponed, or backfilled etc etc. Total chaos with constant HR pressure, forced vacation days use. I know many people who quit on this torturous conditions like myself

Almost summer Fridays. 4 hours of less toxic environment

have unlimited openings for non hardworking people with proven scammer skills and low or non existant work ethic

I'm in therapy now thanks to this job. I did everything right, great reviews, no issues. New management is awful, threatening, plays favorites. I have a health condition that needs good insurance and I live somewhere with few other jobs. So I stay. But I'm done ki-ling myself for them.

I left Qualcomm back in January. The toxicity was just way too much, and I had to get out. I posted about my experience here a couple of times.

I started a new job two weeks later, and honestly, it’s such a breath of fresh air. People here aren't "warm and fuzzy" or anything, but they get the job done without all the drama. It’s nice to actually feel productive and professional again in a normal work environment.

The pay here is also higher.

Make sure everyone knows.

You don't see how that place consumes you and warps your perspective until you're on the other side. I don't care what comes next. I'm taking time off to reset, then I'll job hunt. Best of luck to all of you still there. Leaving Oracle isn't a blessing in disguise - it's just a blessing, plain and simple.

It is, without question, the most toxic corporate culture I have ever experienced. people spend their entire day pretending to be busy, yet no one actually values high-quality work or individual contributions.
The biggest bottleneck is the "management" layer. Need to clear out these stagnant leaders who have been sitting in their positions for far too long. They have become comfortable, out of touch, and resistant to any modernizing influence. They don't manage; they just occupy space and block progress.
OP: @17e+1kmn211dn

We all know this, but it's worth repeating.

I’ve never seen a company quite like Staples that LOVES to promote and retain toxic individuals. It seems a requirement now to be an AVP is to be a full blown narcissist. Glad we are bringing in 2026 by sending a message to the hardworking employees that not only are we going to pay you pennies but your leaders will be some of the rudest and hateful people we can find, cheers!

This site is loaded with comments of actual and observed layoff behaviors. Check the new and active discussions if you are new to this site. BNY does not announce layoffs since their goal is to circumvent federal and state WARN Act notification requirements and to avoid employer payments to State Unemploument Insurance (sUI) in the event layoffs are publicized. BNY is very unusual and would never admit to layoffs. Instead layoffs are referred to as strategic realignments. They are continuous, systematic and calculated to support cost reduction and location target goals, eliminating experienced workers without severance, sending non-client facing jobs offshore. BNY also “we-ponizes” RTO policies and uses mandatory performance rating targets and forced below expectation ratings to expunge workers using PIPs. To add insult to injury, the company now has flatter or-a, changed the VP/SVP/Director pay structures, capped annual wage and merit increases (with 0 to 2 percent increases being the norm), created labor pipelines with state colleges and universities to maximize state and local tax credits, closed real estate holdings, increased the number of days required in office, and accelerated the reduction of all work from home associates. While these behaviors are not technically considered layoffs, they are designed to promote voluntary attrition. This company has created a place where there is a toxic culture and no psychological safety for anyone to speak up. Senior leadership and EC is highly scripted and does not promote an environment of openness, trust and transparency. Sure there are posts on LinkedIn from EC and chapped lips supporters singing praises, but that’s mostly to protect their positions and personal brands on social media as “hands on leaders” or “emerging leader wannabees.” Again, if you are new to this site, suggest you read through the comments to learn more about the layoff topics and comment history. The picture very clearly describes what’s going on here. The EC goes out of their way to create false optics of rainbows and unicorns. This site is for truth telling in a psychologically safe environment that the EC has intentionally, consistently failed to develop and maintain.

This deserves its own thread. OP: @ar+1kmt70t6q

Only a company that doesnt care a bit hospitality would bring Bridget back into the fold. There were parties when she left! O well glad im gone. Good luck to those still at macys. Watch your back.

You can push yourself as hard as you want, but the expectations just keep changing and you’re still left feeling like you missed the mark. And it’s not isolated, it’s the same story across multiple departments. It's astounding how much this place has changed in the last several years.