There is no such thing as a perfect job. But as long as it can pay the bills, most people will endure the demanding work hours, workplace politics, or even the occasional backhanded comments from direct superiors and co-workers. However, there’s always a limit to every individual’s endurance.

As an employee, it is the duty of your employer to make sure that you’re working in an environment that is safe from harm. They are also in charge of eliminating all the discrepancies in the workplace so that there would be no room for discrimination, harassment, and violence.

But that can be difficult if they are the very sources of your discomfort. You must know that you have rights as an employee of the company and you have the legal power to act should anyone violate them. No job is worth compromising your health and overall well-being for; you deserve to be valued for the contributions you make to your company.

However, that can be easier said than done because you might not even be aware that you’re being taken advantage of until after. To help you identify the signs of maltreatment, here are some signs of a toxic work environment that you should watch out for:

1. Unjust Compensation

All employees deserve to receive equal pay for equal work, no matter what industry they belong to. You are entitled to receive the full wage you were promised at the start of your employment unless there are agreed-upon revisions to your contract.

For instance, you’re a truck driver and your superior withheld your complete pay because you took a few more minutes than the mandatory 10-minute break to catch your breath, even though you still managed to perform your job within the strict deadline.

Since this is a direct violation of your right to receive just compensation, you can demand justice with the help of an efficient truck labor attorney. It might be a long and winding battle, but you deserve to be properly compensated for the work you do as an employee.

2. Offensive or Abusive Behavior

All employees deserve to be respected despite their position on the workplace hierarchy. Just because someone’s higher on the corporate ladder doesn’t mean they have the right to abuse, harass, or bully those below them. And this goes for physical, emotional, mental, or verbal abuse.

Workplace bullying of all kinds can cause anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic disorder in the victims. It could also instill fear in those on the receiving end of the bullying, which can make working in the same environment that much harder. This could apply to both colleagues and superiors.

If you’re experiencing any form of bullying from your fellow workers or direct supervisors, you should know that you have the right to act on it. Even those who are not taking part in the bullying but also not doing anything about it can be held liable, and the workplace is certainly no place for bullies to thrive.

So, even if you’re lagging behind some of your co-workers and struggling to comply with your duties as an employee, you don’t deserve to be called offensive names by your superior. You can be given disciplinary actions or sanctions, but never degraded as a human being.

3. Any Kind of Discrimination

All employees have the right to not be harassed or discriminated against for their individual differences. This applies to their age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual preference, disability, or genetic information. Any kind of workplace discrimination can and should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

You have to be able to speak out without fear of retribution if you’re experiencing unfair treatment because of discrimination. This would not only affect you but also your current and future colleagues if this discriminatory behavior isn’t put to a stop immediately.

So if you’re being denied employment opportunities that you qualify for simply because of your skin, gender, or other individual qualities, then you should know that you have the right to take legal action. The anti-discrimination law exists for this very reason, after all.

Knowing how to identify the signs of abusive behavior in the workplace should be able to help you avoid situations where you will be taken advantage of. The same goes for familiarizing yourself with your employee rights and what actions you can take when those rights are being violated.

If your employer isn’t doing their job to maintain a safe workplace environment for their employees, then the responsibility of looking out for yourself will fall on your shoulders. Keep in mind that no job is worth having if it means that it will come at the cost of your health, well-being, and safety.