When is your work situation toxic or a mismatch?
Workplace or war zone? Let’s figure it out.
Brussels is full of smart, ambitious people trying to make a difference, and that’s exactly what makes our policymaking space so exciting—and exhausting. Some days, it feels like you’re swimming against the tide: never-ending deadlines, impossible expectations, feedback that stings. But is your workplace truly toxic, or are you just experiencing the growing pains of building your expertise?
When are workplaces truly toxic?
A job crosses into toxic territory when harm is systemic and goes unchecked. Some Brussels-specific red flags:
Hierarchy overload: If you’re not a policy expert, your expertise is questioned or dismissed.
Shifting job descriptions You signed up for one role, but soon found yourself doing something entirely different—usually to fill gaps for others rather than utilising your own expertise.
Silence from those who should speak up: When members or colleagues witness unfair treatment but stay silent, leaving you to fend for yourself.
Expertise without teamwork: When subject matter experts dictate every decision but refuse to listen to operational or teamwork insights.
If these patterns are deeply embedded, your workplace isn’t just challenging—it’s harmful. And that takes a toll, fast.
When are behaviours truly toxic?
Toxicity doesn’t just come from bosses. Colleagues, teams, and even you can contribute. Some examples:
Passive-aggressive communication—That persistent “friendly reminder” with a side of sarcasm.
Gossip and exclusion—The unofficial meetings that somehow exclude half the team.
Chronic negativity—That colleague who always has a complaint but never a solution.
Credit-stealing or blame-shifting— Ever had your hard work repackaged as someone else’s genius idea?
A toxic workplace doesn’t always start toxic—it becomes that way when bad behaviours go unchecked.
Not everything that feels awful is toxic. Some challenges are part of growth. Ask yourself:
Am I still learning the ropes? Feeling overwhelmed in a new role is normal. Struggling forever is not.
Have I communicated my needs? If you haven’t voiced your concerns, start there before deciding it’s all doomed.
Am I facing challenges that require time to overcome? Some discomfort leads to knowing yourself and your field better, but not when it turns into burnout.
Not sure if you need to leave, stay, or just take a nap? Ask yourself:
Are these issues one-time frustrations or recurring patterns?
Have I tried to address the issues constructively?
Is this job helping me grow, or is it draining me?
What do I need to thrive, and can this workplace offer it?
Final thought: it’s OK to want better
Toxic workplaces exist. They drain you, belittle you, and make you question your worth. They thrive on micromanagement, exclusion, or outright abuse. These places take more than they give and can do real harm.
But not every challenging environment is toxic. Sometimes, what feels like toxicity is actually misalignment. Maybe the values, communication styles, or unspoken rules just don’t fit you. And that’s not the same as toxicity—it’s a mismatch.
Mismatches, while frustrating, can also be instructive. They’re signals that either you need to adapt or recognize this isn’t your place.
Brussels has its quirks, but one thing is certain: you don’t have to tolerate toxicity. Self-awareness is your best tool for navigating the kind of boss or colleague you want to become. Knowing when to push through and when to walk away is a skill in itself.
Also remember that toxicity isn’t a rite of passage. It’s something we should challenge, not endure. So whether you stay and shake things up or move on to something better, do it on your own terms.
And in the meantime, grab a coffee, find your people, and remember—Brussels is a marathon, not a sprint.
I will be elaborating on this at BarBichette’s first live podcast series on 12th February at 6 PM
Do join me by registering here
Photo by Arlington Research on Unsplash
