Think your boss is toxic? Ankur Warikoo says the real problem is the workplace and shares 5 red flags to watchout for

We’ve all heard horror stories of micromanaging bosses, impossible deadlines, and workplaces that suck the life out of you. But entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo says the problem often runs deeper than one bad boss — it’s the culture of the organisation itself. And if you don’t spot the signs early, the toll it takes on your well-being can be devastating.

Warikoo recently took to LinkedIn to warn employees against ignoring workplace toxicity. His advice was clear: don’t lose your spark, don’t compromise your boundaries, and never forget that your well-being is not negotiable. He explained that if a manager’s toxic behaviour is ignored or even rewarded, then it isn’t just the manager who’s toxic — it’s the organisation that is broken.

The Edstellar report on toxic workplace
Backing his warning is a recent report by Edstellar, which found that toxic workplaces are alarmingly common. In a study of over 2,000 employees across industries, 75% said they had experienced toxic workplace culture, and 87% admitted it directly harmed their mental health. Burnout, stress, and anxiety were some of the most common consequences.

5 red flags to watch out for
So how do you know if you’re stuck in such an environment? Warikoo highlighted five red flags every employee should watch for:

- Lack of trust in employees
- A culture of fear and politics
- Excessive micromanagement of people rather than processes
- Unclear expectations at work
- Resistance to hearing bad news


According to Warikoo, these patterns rarely change. For every employee who quits, countless others are lining up to take the job, leaving organisations with little incentive to improve unless they genuinely want to do better.

That’s why, he says, the battle against workplace toxicity isn’t easy. There will be tough days, numbing days, and days when walking away feels impossible. But ignoring the signs can cost you far more in the long run. As Warikoo put it, if you died tomorrow, your employer would replace you within 48 hours — but your family and friends never could. His final reminder? Winners quit, too. The difference is that they know when to.

What did the netizens say?
Many users strongly resonated with the message. Some said that reclaiming time and energy is empowering and that setting boundaries is a way of honouring personal growth rather than betraying commitments. Others pointed out that boundaries aren’t selfish but essential for staying grounded and healthy. A few also reminded that work should be seen as just one part of life, not something that deserves overwhelming importance.