When you work in a fear-based workplace, you know something is wrong, even if you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Perhaps you feel that Monday dread creeping up entirely too early on a Sunday afternoon. Or, maybe you’re one of those people who feel sick to her stomach every workday morning or have a nervous twitch play across his face as soon as he crosses the threshold to work. Here are some clear-cut signs that you work in a fear-based workplace.

1.    Your workplace is overly dependent on rules and policies. Micro managing permeates the workplace from the employee handbook, to signs hung on the wall, to interactions with superiors. (I was once in trouble for “improper tape usage.” No worries; I changed my wicked ways.)

2.    There are two teams afoot: “Us” and “Them.” The “Us” verses “Them” mentality makes it difficult to focus on the organization’s mission and work together to achieve common goals.

3.    Unauthorized communication is frowned upon. Perhaps there are written guidelines such as “Non-corporate staff shall not speak to corporate staff,” or perhaps it is an informal policy left unsaid. This can manifest itself in a myriad of ways; for instance, you find yourself collaborating with someone outside of your department when you spot a supervisor rushing over to inquire about or halt the conversation.

4. Low morale permeates the workplace. There is a sense of unease, dissatisfaction or general unhappiness in the workplace.

5.    Upper management institutes moral busting policies and catchphrases. This can appear in many forms. You will recognize it when you see it. For instance, a company may required field agents to attend weekly meetings at the corporate office, but the agents are instructed to enter through the back door, even though corporate employees are allowed front door usage. Or, perhaps the business has a disturbing catch phrase such as, “If you’re not getting the police called on you when marketing our service, you’re not doing your job.” (Sadly, these both came from the same workplace.)

6.    Upper management views employees as company expenses instead of assets. Employees aren’t considered partners to take the organization to the next level, but are instead viewed as inconveniences.

7.    Turnover and demotions are a constant occurrence. Although employees disappear quietly, or perhaps not so quietly, no one is talking about it.

8.    Short-term thinking permeates the workplace. Management conversations center around primary business indicating numbers instead of the value people bring to the organization. Timing is focused on one report session to the next.

9.    Real issues are not discussed. Workplace issues between management and subordinates are ignored even though tension is running high.

10. There is an overall environment of mistrust.

Whether your workplace became unhealthy because of a power struggle resulting in each side fearing the other or because of a tyrannical leader, with some dedication and a little planning, the office can be restored to a place of joy and productivity.

Create a healthy culture by encouraging an atmosphere of trust. One step may be to schedule meeting time for multi-level and multi-departmental collaboration. During this time, work on true organizational issues. You may be surprised at the insight gleaned. Ensure active listening takes place not only in the meetings, but also out on the floor. If old habits are holding strong, be creative with training and rewards.  Praise progress as it happens; don’t wait for perfection. Also, be an active participant in ensuring the success of others. Starting at new-employee orientation, provide clear expectations and training so that employees know how to achieve success and how it is measured. Provide personal and career development opportunities.

High turnover rates and high absenteeism negatively affect the bottom line. A stressful work environment increases illness and therefore insurance usages. But, aside from neutralizing the negative, ideas for improvement, company growth and innovation stem from the company’s most valuable asset: its people.

At the end of the day, don’t confuse talk with action. No matter your current role in the company, begin making the workplace healthier by exhibiting desired behavior. Mentor others. Not only does this provide a better environment for you and your co-workers, but it may also determine the overall success of your organization.