Does your work environment feel toxic or make you feel valued? What has your boss said in the last week that made you feel like your boss cares about you as a person? 

If you often feel like your organization doesn’t care about your wellbeing, or they pay a lot of lip-service but don’t really mean it (mandatory Saturday wellness retreat, anyone?), this episode is for you. 

As always, this episode is inspired by a comment from a listener: Katie wrote to me saying, “Thank you for the Industry Insider webinar series. Using what I learned in your course, I was able to finally get a position that makes me feel valued.” 

It’s not an earth-shattering comment, but it felt so very timely, because especially with COVID, I know that so many of you are not feeling valued. Many of you feel trapped, and even unsafe or expendable. That’s not OK.

In this episode of The Career Rx we’ll discuss:

• Five things my boss* said just this week that will surprise you
• Signs of a toxic workplace
• Workplace expectations around vacation time
• What to look for in your current or future company culture

Today, I’m going to give you five real-world examples of surprising things upper management say (and mean!) that I’ve heard myself very recently. These are phrases and ideas that, I feel, show your company really values you as a person. Or at least, that mine does, and I believe you deserve the same. 

Lots of people love their colleagues but generally don’t feel like they have a supportive work environment when it comes from the top. Your boss sets the tone for your workplace culture. He or she should be saying the right things, saying them often, and leading by example. 

*When I talk about ‘my boss’ in this episode, I mean either my actual boss, or another leader in an organization with which I am professionally affiliated. These are real statements, but I’m not intending to attribute all of them to any specific person. 

Whether you’re considering a new employer or a new career entirely, or putting your current company culture into perspective, this episode will help you align you and your company’s values. 

“You absolutely deserve to be unapologetic about putting your family and your own self-care first. ” - Marjorie Stiegler

In this Episode: 

[2:19] Is this what you hear at the office, or in your faculty meetings?

[2:48] What my boss says about when family comes first (yes, when)

[4:30] What my boss says about taking vacation – and what you’re expected to do during that time

[6:15] What my boss says about being able to get in touch with me at night or on a weekend

[8:23] What my boss says about my responsibility while my colleagues are away

[9:50] What my boss says about being called out, and what I hope you’re saying if you’re the boss!

[11:30] How to make this episode actionable in your own work environment

[12:19] Reality check on your expectations and what you deserve at work 

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