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Toxic Positivity at Work: What It Is and How to Respond

Toxic positivity at work is the pressure to remain upbeat when job loss, workplace difficulties or a stressful job search call for honest acknowledgement and practical support.

What is toxic positivity?

It is the idea or belief that you should always have a positive spin or attitude towards something, regardless of personal circumstances or issues. Whilst the notion of a positive mindset, mantra, habits and attitude is a great idea, it is not always possible. The result equals to an individual feeling guilty or as if they have failed themselves to live up to this “good vibes only” approach to life.

A Common Example of Toxic Positivity

A positive goal most people seem to preach is getting up at 5am each morning. Whilst in theory this seems like a fantastic idea, with many benefits behind it, it is not always possible for everyone to do. Some people work night shifts, some have children who don’t sleep through the night, others have restless night sleep and others simply cannot force their eyes open before 7am or later. We are all different, and have different matters in our lives that can impact very diverse reactions and responses. A one fit all-motivational quote can result into a very toxic outcome.

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Why Toxic Positivity Can Be Harmful

Responses such as “positivity is a choice” and “everything happens for a reason” or “stay positive, look on the bright side” can be incredibly harmful. Whilst it is said with the best intentions, it produces a huge amount of pressure to the individual who is struggling to cope with a certain situation or outcome. If a person cannot shift their mindset, they can feel shame and guilt. They will feel as though they have failed themselves to be positive and feel embarrassed they cannot find their “happiness” in that moment, believing they may be weak and have failed in some way.

It can also prevent personal growth.

How Suppressing Emotions Affects Wellbeing

To avoid ones feelings and try to suppress or push aside can prevent personal development and abilities to handle future stresses. It will become an endless loop where eventually, the individual can experience a breakdown of bottled up emotions. It is always best to feel the pain, respect the feeling and accept the feeling. We have more than one emotion within us – we should not ignore them simply because they appear as “negative”. It is part of being human and we need to allow all our feelings the same value, respect and attention.

It is important to not ignore your emotions – manage them, but do not brush them away. Do not feel shame for feeling anything other than happy. It is ok to feel more than one thing and it is important to experience all feelings – it is part of being human after all.

What Does Toxic Positivity Look Like at Work?

So how does all this fit in with employment? Simple:

  • If you feel that your work is causing you mental health issues
  • Loss of a job
  • Inability to find the right job or
  • Have toxic working relationships within the workplace

How to Respond to Toxic Positivity at Work

It is important to acknowledge these feelings, as they are valid. Having lost a job can be heartbreaking and cause a lot of stress and anxiety, so can working in a toxic environment. Of course, you need to find solutions to resolve workplace issues. These solutions do not mean in forms of mantra, but in forms of action- either changing your situation, resolving your problems with others through communication or finding alternative paths for you to walk. You do not need a quote to change your perspective – you, yourself, in your own way and time can do that.

Mental health is a serious matter to us. We have created a guide specifically to assist in stress and how to minimise it. You can download this guide for free today by following this link: Guides

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What is toxic positivity at work?

Toxic positivity at work is when you feel pressured to stay positive, even when you are dealing with job loss, stress, difficult working relationships, or other real concerns. It brushes aside what you are feeling instead of recognising that something is genuinely wrong.

What are some examples of toxic positivity at work?

Comments like “stay positive”, “look on the bright side” or “everything happens for a reason” can be unhelpful when they are used to dismiss what someone is going through rather than listening or offering useful support.

Why can toxic positivity be harmful?

It can make you feel guilty, ashamed or weak for struggling. Ignoring difficult emotions can also make it harder to understand what is wrong and work out what to do next.

Is it okay to have difficult emotions about work?

Yes. It is normal to feel disappointed, stressed, frustrated or anxious when work is difficult. Acknowledging how you feel can help you decide what support you need or what action to take.

How should I respond to toxic positivity at work?

Start by being honest with yourself about how you feel instead of forcing yourself to be positive. From there, you might talk about the issue, set boundaries, ask for support, try to resolve the problem or consider another role.

How can toxic positivity affect job seekers?

After losing a job or searching for work for a long time, being told to “just stay positive” can leave you feeling misunderstood or guilty for finding it hard. Genuine support acknowledges that the situation is difficult and helps you focus on the next manageable step.