5 Signs You Have a Toxic Boss (and What to Do About It)

Let’s face it—having a toxic boss can make even your dream job feel like a recurring nightmare. No amount of free snacks or team-building can fix the daily stress of working under a leader who leaves a trail of toxicity in their wake. If your morning mantra has become “I can make it through one more day,” you’re not alone.

According to theNational Workplace Trends Study, 57% of employees say that distrust in leadership makes them want to quit. And if that stat feels painfully relatable, you may already be working for a boss who’s the professional equivalent of a bad relationship—you’re always giving, they’re always taking, and no one ever says "thank you."

Here are 5 red flags that scream “toxic boss”... and some quick tips to detox your work life.

1. They Take the Credit and Dodge the Blame

You put in the work. You meet the deadlines. The boss? They present your project to the higher-ups as if they coded it with their bare hands. But when things go sideways, suddenly it’s your fault, and your inbox feels like a courtroom.

According to the study, 36% of employees say getting credit for their work is the #1 reason they’d stay in a job longer.

Survival Tips:

• Keep a record of your contributions (hello, email trails).
• Use the ‘Piggyback Technique’. “Jan, thank you for sharing my idea about____. I’d also like to add….”
• If possible, find allies in other departments to validate your input.
  
  

2. They Micromanage 

You’re not just doing your job, you’re doing it with someone breathing down your neck like a stalker. Every decision, every email, every typo is under surveillance.

Newsflash: Delegation and trust go hand in hand. Unfortunately, the NWTS Study found that many toxic bosses fail to delegate due to a lack of trust in employees.

Survival Tips:

• Request clear expectations and boundaries.
• Present results early to earn more autonomy.
• Document your progress and share updates proactively.
  
  

3. They Avoid Accountability 

A toxic boss never admits mistakes. Ever. Instead, they spin stories, shift blame, and sweep problems under the rug until someone trips over it—usually you.

Leadership accountability matters. The NWTS found that leaders who lack integrity drive employee turnover, especially among Gen X workers, who value ethical leadership the most.

Survival Tips:

• Focus on managing up. Present facts with solutions, not blame.
• Stay aligned with company values (even when leadership doesn’t).
• Consider HR documentation if accountability crosses into unethical territory.
  
  

4. They Provide No Feedback—Or Just Negative Feedback

You only hear from your boss when something goes wrong. At Destination Workplace™, we always say: “You can either coach people to success, or boss them to failure.” - Betsy Allen-Manning.

According to the NWTS, constructive feedback and recognition rank as top leadership priorities. Yet, many bosses neglect this basic leadership principle.

Survival Tips:

• Ask for feedback regularly, and frame it as a request for growth.
• Celebrate small wins with your peers to stay motivated.
• Lead by example if you manage others, praise publicly, and coach privately.
  
  

5. They Create a Culture of Fear

Toxic bosses are often the architects of a toxic culture, where people are afraid to speak up, burnout is brushed off, and turnover is just part of the "business model."

The NWTS study shows that 42% of Gen Z employees plan to leave their jobs due to toxic environments, and one in four workers say their workplace is already toxic.

Survival Tips:

• Seek support from mentors, peers, or even outside the company.
• Reconnect with your purpose to stay grounded.
• If all else fails, remember: bad bosses are temporary. Great careers are built by knowing when to move on.
  
  

Remember…You Deserve Better

A toxic boss can wreck your confidence, sap your energy, and even hurt your health. Recognizing the signs is the first step to reclaiming your professional power. Whether you’re navigating the dysfunction or planning your exit, know this: You were not hired to survive your boss. You were hired to thrive in your workplace.

Ready to create a culture where great leadership thrives? Partner with Betsy Allen-Manning, the top leadership speaker and workplace culture expert, who transforms toxic workplaces into thriving ones. Visit www.DestinationWorkplace.com to book a leadership training or keynote today.

About Betsy: Featured on FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC, Betsy Allen-Manning is a leadership keynote speaker, workplace culture expert, and best-selling author who helps executives and HR leaders strengthen employee engagement, improve retention, and prepare for the future of work. Betsy’s thought leadership and original research in the National Workplace Trends Study and the Destination Workplace™ framework equips organizations with data-driven strategies to build cultures where people apply, engage, contribute, and stay. She is also the founder of an award-winning company known for providing top leadership training in Dallas, and is recognized for advancing leadership excellence and driving workplace culture transformations worldwide.