I Accidentally Joined a Work Cult (and Lived to Talk About It)

Ever joined a job that felt less like a workplace and more like a cult? Yep, same here. In 2023, I landed at a company where collaboration and openness was offered but turns out the owners subtly required agreement and asking questions made you enemy number one. A year and a half later, what’s still shocking to me is how easily I feel into the culture in an attempt to be a team player and grow in my career.

Welcome to my story of surviving a work cult, where ego rules, loyalty tests are mandatory, and healthy boundaries are nonexistent. If your job feels more like a soap opera than a career, you are afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation, or you KNOW that what’s happening isn’t right but realize you are convincing yourself it’s not as bad as the alerts your nervous system is giving, you might be in one too.

The Leadership Vibe: Big Talk and Even Bigger Expectations

At first, the company seemed full of promise. But it quickly became clear that the owners valued enthusiastic support, sometimes a bit more than straightforward feedback. Question their vision? That was absolutely off limits or you would be branded as a problem and a threat.

Team meetings often turned into sermons lauding grand plans, with plenty of calls for praising their achievements. They needed to be seen as extraordinary, but also tried really hard to pretend they were humble in how much they gave back to the community. They would stretch the truth (and even outright lie) with an expectation that no one would look into facts that were publicly available. They encouraged staff to leave Google reviews to boost their overall scores and they paid for “best of” awards so they would be noticed and celebrated. Over time it became clear that everything was about making them money and boosting their egos rather than providing ethical and appropriate care.

The Rituals: Obedience Over Everything (Questioning Not Allowed)

In the cult, the unspoken rule was: Follow orders without question (no matter how ethically questionable) and never challenge the owners. Speak up? Expect to be sidelined, excluded from meetings, and quietly punished. To be fair, they often did pretend to listen but I realized this was more so we would buy into what they were offering instead of genuinely allowing themselves to have insight into what might not be going well. At the end, when I became more verbal with dissent, I went from being a rising star to being the cause of “spiritual attacks” on their business and accused of systematically alienating other staff from them.

Team “celebrations” weren’t about fun - they were loyalty tests disguised as events. Miss one or show any hint of dissent, and you were quickly branded an outsider. It was less about teamwork and more like high school drama with a serious authoritarian twist.

The Mind Games: Boundaries, Promises, and the Company Cheer Squad

The owners loved to talk about a “supportive” workplace, which really meant: “Cheer for us nonstop and keep your opinions to yourself!” Boundaries? They encouraged setting them, then promptly ignored them. Midnight emails weren’t expected, but surprise last-minute tasks sure were. And the Google chats and chat lectures were constant and overwhelming.

Promotions? Oh, those were promised like beads at a parade - but often went to people who seemed to have a PhD in office politics rather than actual qualifications. Meanwhile, the rest of us were left wondering what we had to do to obtain the promotions we were working so hard for. There were always reasons given about how it was “not the right time” but that the right time was coming soon. And, the ones who were under their spell (read - not independent thinkers) were seen as the best workers.

It was communicated that anyone who had previously escaped was out to get them, had been taking advantage of what they “gave” to them, and had been terrible at their jobs. When I left, I became the new scapegoat. In fact, it has been a year and a half and I have it on good authority that I am STILL a topic of discussion there.

How to Escape a Toxic Work Cult Without Losing Your Mind

If any of this sounds familiar, here’s a mindful, therapeutic approach to help you navigate and ultimately leave that toxic environment:

1. Tune into your emotional and physical signals. Notice chronic stress, anxiety, or physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue. These are your body’s way of signaling that the environment is harmful. Dreading going in to work? That’s a clear sign you are not ok. Journaling your experiences can help clarify what triggers your distress and what feels safe.

2. Practice assertive boundary-setting with specific techniques. Use “I” statements to communicate your limits clearly (e.g., “I am unable to respond to emails after 7 PM”). Prepare and rehearse responses to pushback. Remember, boundary-setting is a skill that gets easier with practice and is essential for protecting your mental health.

3. Build a confidential support network. Identify trusted friends, mentors, or mental health professionals who can validate your feelings and provide perspective. Consider joining support groups, online or local, where you can share experiences and strategies without judgment.

4. Develop a thoughtful exit plan. Instead of rushing, create a step-by-step plan: update your resume, research organizations with healthier cultures, and prepare financially. Mindfully managing this process reduces overwhelm and empowers your transition.

5. Incorporate restorative self-care practices daily. Engage in activities that replenish your energy and soothe your nervous system, such as mindfulness meditation, gentle movement like yoga or walking, or creative expression. Aim to integrate these habits consistently, not just as a break from work stress but as a foundation for resilience.

Life After Leaving: Breaking Free and Finding Joy

Leaving a toxic work cult can bring relief, doubt, and mixed emotions. You might feel like others who left have become fuel for the toxic fire, and threats or fear can make leaving seem impossible. But remember - you don’t have to stay! Your well-being matters most.

Often, the full weight of the stress you were under only hits after you leave, when your mind and body finally have space to heal. I remember feeling like the first day I was free was the first day of the rest of my life.

Finding support from friends, family, and new colleagues helps rebuild confidence and reminds you what healthy work feels like. I have done a lot of work to heal and this blog is part of that process. It has helped to talk openly about the experience so I can learn to stop blaming myself for not seeing sooner what was happening.

Most importantly, you can enjoy work again. In a place with respect, clear boundaries, and real teamwork, your motivation and happiness can thrive.

If your job feels like a work cult, know this: you deserve better. It’s okay to say “no thanks” and walk away.

Need support from people who have been there? We have got you covered (because we have been there too) and would love to help.

And, if you’re a therapist, we have a community for you and encourage you to reach out via our contact form because toxic therapy workplaces seem to be on the rise as success causes business owners to lose sight of helping others and start focusing on benefitting themselves. We should not have to handle it alone!