At Mansfield & Co, we spend our days inside a wide range of workplaces and are exposed to every kind of culture you can imagine. And while no two businesses are the same, it usually doesn’t take us long to get a feel for the environment—both the good and the not-so-good.

Culture doesn’t live in handbooks or mission statements. It lives in the energy of a team, the way people interact, how safe they feel to speak up, and whether they look like they actually want to be there!

So how do you know if your culture is veering into toxic territory?

5 Signs Your Culture Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good

1. High turnover and low morale

If your team is constantly changing—or if the people who stay seem disengaged and disconnected—your culture could be part of the problem. High turnover is often a symptom of deeper issues: lack of recognition, unclear direction, or poor leadership.

2. Silence in the room

When employees don’t feel comfortable speaking up, sharing ideas, or owning up to mistakes, it creates a culture of fear rather than growth. Psychological safety is the foundation of innovation and team performance.

3. Micromanagement and mistrust

A culture built on control rather than trust rarely inspires great work. Micromanagement stifles creativity, slows productivity, and signals a lack of confidence in your people.

4. “Cultural Fit” as a filter for sameness

Hiring for culture fit can be valuable—but only when it’s inclusive. If your definition of fit excludes those who think differently, come from diverse backgrounds, or challenge the status quo, you may be building an echo chamber.

5. Values that don’t show up in real life

Many companies have values written on the wall—but if they’re not embedded in how people lead, behave, and make decisions, they’re just words. A disconnect between stated values and lived experiences erodes trust fast.

What a healthy culture looks like

Having visited hundreds of workplaces, we’ve learned to spot the green flags quickly too. The best cultures aren’t about perks or ping pong tables—they’re about people.

Some of the most encouraging signs we see include:

• Being greeted warmly by at least one team member, not just the person we’re meeting
• Teams collaborating naturally—there’s conversation, connection, and energy in the room
• A general “buzz” that says people feel safe, seen, and motivated
• People simply appearing happy and engaged (you’d be surprised how rare that can be)

When these elements are present, it usually means the culture is intentional, inclusive, and human—and that’s when great things happen.

Ready to Take a Closer Look?

If any of this resonates, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s really happening in your culture. The good news? Culture isn’t static. With the right insight and action, it can evolve into a powerful driver of performance and retention.

At Mansfield & Co, we’re not just here to help you hire—we’re here to help you build a workplace people want to be part of. When we’re sourcing talent for our clients, the number one selling point is almost always the company culture. People want more than a job—they want to be part of something bigger. A healthy, positive culture doesn’t just help you attract great people; it helps you keep them.

Mansfield & Co Recruitment

At Mansfield & Co Recruitment, we possess a deep understanding of the local landscape, demonstrated by our proven results and satisfied clients. Our team comprises highly knowledgeable and professional individuals who genuinely comprehend current and future workforce trends. This ensures that the talent we recruit is not only an excellent fit for your organisation now but also in the long term. We connect talented individuals with their dream jobs while providing businesses with the tools they need to build exceptional teams. The future of recruitment is here, and our award-winning recruitment agency is excited to be part of this transformative journey. Join us as we navigate the future of employment, where innovation meets opportunity. Are you looking for work? Explore our job vacancies here. Visit our website to find out the roles we specialise in. You can also check out our candidate profiles and Facebook page. Let’s build a stronger, more effective team together.