Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google

Is My Boss Toxic Quiz: Spot the Warning Signs at Work

Quick, free quiz to check for a toxic work environment. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Joash LumumbaUpdated Aug 24, 2025
2-5mins
Profiles
paper art of office scene with tense worker under dark cloud, magnifying glass and quiz sheet on teal background.

This quiz helps you figure out if your boss is toxic, so you can spot patterns like micromanaging, sarcasm, or shifting blame and decide a smart next step. If manipulation is a concern, try our boss gaslighting quiz. For a wider view of team dynamics, see the toxic coworker quiz to compare behaviors and options.

When you leave a 1:1, what best captures your experience?
Seen, trusted, and clear on next steps
Relieved I captured every directive to avoid rework
Worried about the extra asks that will spill into my evening
Unsure if my contributions will be acknowledged or scrutinized later
undefined
How does your boss respond when you take initiative within your role?
Appreciates the ownership and asks what support I need next
Questions each step and redirects with precise instructions
Praises the hustle, then adds more tasks after hours
Uses the outcome without mentioning my involvement
undefined
How clear and empowering are expectations for your work?
Clear outcomes with freedom in how to achieve them
Detailed step-by-step instructions with little wiggle room
Shifts often, with urgent extras outside normal hours
Vague until something goes wrong, then blame surfaces
undefined
What is the typical approach to deadlines?
Aligned to scope and negotiated realistically
Fixed and exacting, even when context changes
Flexible in name only, with weekend pushes to catch up
Adjusted after the fact, but accountability lands on me
undefined
What happens when you pitch a new idea?
It is welcomed, refined, and I am trusted to test it
It is dissected into instructions I must follow exactly
It becomes an immediate add-on to my workload, regardless of capacity
It later appears as a leadership initiative without my name
undefined
How are after-hours communications handled?
Rare and respectful, with clear urgency and tradeoffs
Frequent check-ins to verify progress on minor details
Regular pings that assume availability at night or weekends
Late messages without context, followed by blame if unseen
undefined
When the team wins, how is credit distributed?
Credit is shared openly and specifically
Credit is secondary to reviewing process compliance
Credit is given, but more work shows up immediately after hours
Credit flows up the chain while my role is minimized
undefined
When something goes wrong, what typically follows?
A calm review focused on learning and support
An audit of each micro-step I took
Requests to fix it immediately, even if it means overtime
Finger-pointing toward me, even when context was missing
undefined
How many approvals do you need for routine decisions in your remit?
Minimal approvals; trust is the default
Multiple checkpoints, even for small choices
Approvals come late, often after hours
Approvals disappear until blame is assigned later
undefined
How is time off respected in practice?
Fully honored; coverage is planned and stress-free
Checked-in frequently to ensure tasks match the plan
Interrupted for urgent favors or status updates
Used against me if something slips later
undefined
What is the tone and cadence of feedback you receive?
Direct, respectful, and tied to growth
Frequent corrections focused on mechanics and control
Positive words paired with more unplanned commitments
Sparse until a problem arises, then disproportionately critical
undefined
How do priorities change in your team?
With context, tradeoffs, and clear rationale
By directive, often with new checklists to follow
Suddenly, pushing work into evenings or weekends
Shifting sands where missed targets become my fault
undefined
How much control do you have over your calendar?
High control with respect for focus time
Low control due to frequent status check meetings
Low control as meetings and tasks spill into off-hours
Control varies; I get invited post hoc when outcomes are judged
undefined
How does your boss prefer to track progress?
Outcome metrics and trust-based check-ins
Detailed daily updates and granular oversight
Late-night pings and weekend status nudges
Infrequent visibility until problems trigger scrutiny
undefined
How are stretch opportunities assigned?
Aligned to strengths with support and realistic scope
Designed with strict methods I must follow exactly
Handed over as extra work beyond capacity
Given without attribution when successful
undefined
What is the pattern for urgent requests?
Clear urgency with negotiated tradeoffs and support
Frequent fire drills with precise directives
End-of-day asks that presume late-night work
Emergencies that later become ammunition if imperfect
undefined
How are meeting agendas and participation handled?
Structured with room for input and decisions
Tightly controlled; deviations are corrected in real time
Overflowing into lunch or after-hours slots
Focused on wins from elsewhere; my work is sidelined
undefined
Who owns final calls within your scope?
I do, with clear guardrails and trust
My boss, regardless of my expertise
Whoever is available when messages ping after hours
Ownership shifts when outcomes need defending
undefined
How safe do you feel speaking up in group settings?
Very safe; curiosity and dissent are welcomed
Cautious; minor deviations draw correction
Hesitant; pushback may extend my workload into off-hours
Wary; comments may be ignored until blame is assigned
undefined
What happens to your development goals over time?
Tracked, supported, and resourced
Subordinated to process adherence and status updates
Pushed aside by constant availability demands
Forgotten until review time, when gaps are spotlighted
undefined
Micromanagement consistently boosts creativity and speed.
True
False
undefined
Respecting off-hours improves recovery and focus.
True
False
undefined
Withholding feedback is the best way to create psychological safety.
True
False
undefined
Sharing credit fairly increases motivation.
True
False
undefined
Ignoring boundaries prevents burnout.
True
False
undefined
Clear expectations and trust enable autonomy.
True
False
undefined
Blame-heavy environments are the fastest path to innovation.
True
False
undefined
Ownership without surveillance grows confidence.
True
False
undefined
Constantly changing the plan without context improves execution.
True
False
undefined
Consistent, respectful feedback accelerates development.
True
False
undefined
0

Profiles

Feeling drained after every workday? These outcomes will help you pinpoint where you stand on the toxicity scale - from supportive leadership to a toxic overlord - and guide your next steps.
  1. The Empowering Ally -

    Scoring low on our is my boss toxic quiz means you've got a supportive leader who fosters growth, values your well-being, and cultivates a healthy workplace. Tip: Keep the feedback flowing to maintain this positive dynamic.

  2. The Overbearing Micromanager -

    Your toxic workplace quiz results highlight a boss who hovers over every task, stifling autonomy and increasing stress. Tip: Set clear boundaries, schedule regular check-ins, and propose status updates to regain control of your workflow.

  3. The Emotional Rollercoaster -

    In our toxic work environment quiz, you showed signs of erratic leadership whose unpredictable moods leave you guessing. Tip: Document patterns, communicate calmly about concerns, and lean on supportive colleagues to stay grounded.

  4. The Gaslighting Strategist -

    If your is my workplace toxic quiz flags manipulation, your boss may resort to gaslighting tactics that erode your confidence. Advice: Trust your instincts, gather objective feedback, and consider formal HR intervention if necessary.

  5. The Silent Saboteur -

    Your toxic workplace quiz suggests passive-aggressive behaviors undermining your success behind the scenes. Quick tip: Clarify expectations in writing, involve peers for accountability, and document any undermining incidents.

  6. The Toxic Overlord -

    High toxicity flags on our is my boss toxic quiz reveal a harmful leader whose behaviors demand prompt action. Call-to-action: Prioritize self-care, document all incidents, and explore new opportunities if change isn't imminent.

Powered by: Quiz Maker