The buzzing of the alarm clock rudely awakens you to the reality of another Monday morning and the beginning of another work week. As the ugly thoughts of what you face at work race through your mind, you think to yourself how you dontno cant, go into work again. You wonder whether you should call in sick, but realize that you cant do that again as youve already done it too many times. You have to go in, but you cant face that place again.

What would cause someone to feel this way? What could be so bad? Is it because he is irresponsible? After all, his employer pays him for his services. Is she just plain lazy or disloyal? Shouldnt an employer be able to expect that their employees will come in when they are scheduled? Or could it be something elsecould it be something far worse? Could it be that this employee has a toxic, spirit sapping job?

This scenario plays out so very often, employees not wanting to go to work and employers frustrated by individuals they cannot count on to show upor worse, those who are physically present but whose performance indicates they are somewhere else. Why does this happen and who is to blame?

Dissatisfied employees need to carefully look at their job and ask themselves why they are unhappy at their employ. Full time employees spend well over 2000 hours a year at workoften more time then they spend with family and friends. If theyre in an environment that makes them feel lousy, theyve got to make some hard decisions: can I make things better or should I get out. As Kenny Rogers said in his song the Gambler: You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away.

If you like the company, but youre in the wrong job, ask for a transfer. If your supervisor is a jerk, see if you can move to a different department. But, if it is absolutely a bad situation throughoutthen get out!

Bad jobs, toxic jobs never get better. The longer youre there, the worse it gets. Your self esteem gets damaged and eventually your performance suffers so badly that the employer often fires you anyway. It is in your best interest and in your employers best interest for you to leave.

In my coaching practice I have worked with many employees who tell such stories. The first is the employee who tells me they knew on their first day of work that they made a mistake. What they signed on for was different than what they found when they walked in the door. They kept believing it would change, but it didnt. Unfortunately, sometimes it took years of unhappiness before either they or the employer pulled the plugand even when they were fired, they all said how relieved they were. In the second scenario, the employee started off happy, but over the years things changed and they didnt or couldnt. In either case, like the first scenario, it was apparent that it was time to go, but they were unable to make the move, often depending on the employer to show them the door. For the lucky onesthe ones who realized the situation was bad and they couldnt change it, they got out quickly and moved on with their lives. They didnt tie their identity and self-esteem to their jobsand they also realized it was just a job.

So how do you know when your job is toxic? How do you know when it is not getting better and it is time to go? Do you have to wait to hear that sucking sound that may well be your self-confidence going down the drain?

Toxic jobs do not all look alike. All will, however, like a bad relationship, destroy your self-esteem, will bring you down, and will make your life miserable. Some red flags to watch for when trying to determine if your place of employ is toxic:

1. Customers and employees are second to everything else

2. Employees and customers are always complaining

3. Employees bail out faster than management can hire replacements

4. Youre always fighting fires, never catching up, and youre always finding yourself behind the eight ball

5. Management is inconsistent in the way they manage or they dont manage at all

6. Supervisors are poorly trained and arbitrary in their style

7. Employees are not treated with any respect and decency

Employers who run toxic organizations often blame their customers, vendors and employees for their woeful ways. Employees should not have to take it. If the problem cant be corrected, it is time to change. As the Gambler concludes: Youve got to know when to run.