a) As described, it isn&#x27;t a &quot;toxic environment&quot;.  My previous job the boss would go on verbal and physical tirades almost daily (cursing loud enough to be heard through multiple walls, throwing hardware, ripping a door off its hinges, etc).  Meanwhile, in one job, my mother had a boss made them work through a breakdown of the A&#x2F;C. Their <i>office</i> temperatures were exceeding 100 degrees and most of the full-time staff were over 50 years old.  This ultimately led to that boss&#x27; death at her own desk.  Those are &quot;toxic environments&quot;.  As the OP described their situation, the environment is certainly not supportive, and is uncomfortable and demoralizing, but it doesn&#x27;t sound like their physical welfare is in jeopardy, so it shouldn&#x27;t be called &#x27;toxic&#x27;.<p>b) As cookiecaper indicated, you should focus on the positives of the job you&#x27;re interviewing for, not the negatives of the current job.  For example, &quot;I&#x27;m looking for a more respectful and collegial work environment that supports mutual skill development.&quot;  The interviewer may take that as &quot;this person is coming from an unsupportive environment&quot; but it could also be taken as &quot;this person is coming from a so-so, hum-drum environment and simply wants a better environment.&quot;