Been told I'm toxic

[GhostStress]

I am broken. I've been off with stress as had a very heavy workload over many months. I say off but it was two days. Had the first regular meeting with my boss yesterday since returning who said he had feedback from my peers that I complain about my workload and am bordering on toxic.

I admit I have vented about the long hours I have been working to one colleague but just don't understand being toxic. I thought I was mostly a kind and supportive colleague and have never had feedback like this in my 40 years of working.

I thought any decent human being would want to support you after you have been struggling. Not to add to it and cause you more upset. Trying to figure out what to do next. I guess it's the start of being pushed out.

You can claim if you're forced out due to work related stress. Start keeping notes. Try and remember exactly what was said, who was there, time and date and make a habit of it.

I manage a team and have had a staff member who mosned constantly about workload yet everyone else in the team felt it was. Manageable.
When someone is constantly negative and moaning it drags everyone else down.
Have you spoken to your Manager about your workload as this should be your first port of call and maybe they can help you with strategies to manage this.
Do you bring something positive to the team ?

I feel for you OP.What a nasty thing to hear.

I feel bad for you as you clearly felt you could complain about work with this person in an off the record type way. Especially If they moaned about their own grievances also.

I guess you need to address the reasons why you're unhappy with your boss and no longer trust that colleague.

I wouldn't go to management about a work friend saying outside of an official meeting that they were unhappy and call them toxic.

That seems unnecessary. Unless you really were bringing the mood down so much that others couldn't work properly.