Signs you work in a toxic environment

• Constant fear or dread

  You feel sick on Sunday evenings, or tense the moment you walk into the office or site.

• Humiliation is normal

  Being shouted at, mocked or put down in front of others is treated as "just how the boss is".

• Unrealistic demands

  You are expected to be reachable at all hours, skip leave, or do the work of two or three people without support.

• Unfair treatment

  Promotions, pay and blame are handed out based on favouritism, tribe, gender, religion or who you know rather than your work.

• Your effort is never seen

  Credit is taken, mistakes are blamed on you, and feedback is only ever negative.

• Speaking up is punished

  People who raise problems are labelled difficult, sidelined or threatened with the sack.

• Pay problems

  Salaries come late, deductions are unexplained, or overtime is not paid, and questioning it feels unsafe.

• It follows you home

  You are irritable with family, sleeping badly, drinking more, or cannot switch off thinking about work.

Many men stay in harmful jobs because of responsibilities to family and fear of being unemployed. That pressure is real, and it is okay to plan your way out slowly and safely.