I’ve been working at an early stage for almost a year. The culture, among other things, has created a toxic environment which is wearing on my health.

I feel torn because I really believe in the product, but every day i’m finding it harder and harder to see that it will be a success given that I don’t agree with how the company is being run. It doesn’t look like anything is changing for the better anytime soon either.

On top of this I have a friendship/bond with the founder, that often blurs the lines of personal + professional boundaries. They can be very emotional and sometimes in a manipulative way.

The founder has been clear in the past that I have been central to the company’s progression. Recently, a colleague of mine who was also very important to the company left. So I feel like if I left now, they would really struggle and maybe even fail as it is currently a critical time for the business yet their employees are beginning to realize that they don’t have to be in this toxic environment.

For my health, I need to move on. There are no questions there. I guess i’m just looking for advice on how to navigate this situation?

I know I don’t owe them anything, i’ve been doing way more than my pay grade since my very first day, but I am just questioning whether I tell them I am looking for jobs or not?

Any advice on any aspect of this would be appreciated.