Signs your boss is toxic

A simple way to get an idea of whether your boss is toxic is to ask yourself whether he or she frequently upsets you, scares you, frustrates you, abuses you, or in other ways makes you very unhappy at work. Here are some specific ways that can happen:

The boss micromanages: If you’re told exactly how to do every little thing, that can be frustrating and can slow you down. It also reflects a boss who doesn’t trust you to do the job well, which is a poor recipe for successful teamwork.

The boss communicates poorly: If your boss rarely makes clear what needs to be done and then is upset that it hasn’t been done, no one wins. A good boss will communicate well and make sure that his direct reports understand and are comfortable asking questions.

The boss doesn’t listen: If your boss doesn’t solicit input from others and doesn’t consider ideas and thoughts when they’re offered — perhaps believing that only she is right — then that can be very unmotivating to workers. It’s also a sign that you’re not respected.

The boss plays favorites: If your boss has a favorite underling or two and doesn’t treat all subordinates with respect and fairness, resentments will fester and productivity will be threatened. It can kill morale, too, if favorites get plum assignments and promotions. It can also be toxic if the boss’s favorite employee is… the boss. If the boss routinely gives himself privileges that others don’t have (such as an allowance to come in late or leave early or enjoy extra-long lunches) or doesn’t follow rules that he expects you to follow, that can be toxic, too.

The boss is unprofessional: If your boss gets too chummy with you and/or your colleagues, perhaps even leaning on you emotionally, that can make things inappropriately complicated — and stressful. Being very gossipy is also unprofessional, and can be harmful. Other unprofessional behaviors include cursing and yelling and complaining. Even being too “fun” can be unprofessional, if it gets in the way of taking the work sufficiently seriously. (Think, for example, of Michael Scott in the television show “The Office.)

The boss has unrealistic expectations: If your boss expects you to do more than is possible, that’s setting you up to fail. It’s a recipe for unhappiness in the workplace and a de-motivator.

The boss steals credit: If your boss is frequently presenting work and ideas to others as his own when they’re not, that’s a toxic behavior that makes for unhappy underlings. Along similar lines, if your boss does not take responsibility when things go badly on his watch, that’s poor behavior as well.

The boss is a sexual harasser: Clearly, if your boss is sexually harassing you or anyone else that you’re aware of, it makes for a toxic workplace, featuring anxiety and stress, among other things. This situation should not be tolerated, and if you find yourself in it, you should immediately go to Human Resources.

The boss is moody: If the boss is upbeat on some days and a tyrant on others, it can make for a nervous workplace. A boss who is generally pessimistic and a downer can make it hard to be enthusiastic about your work — and can be hard to be around, as well. Good leaders inspire.