Based on your other comments, it seems your main complaint is the use of the word "toxic". Which I agree is overused and has been expanded to cover more ground than it used to, but the OP is far from the first to apply it more broadly. This is well within the range of how the word is used today, especially when referring to "toxic work environments".
As for the rest, I'm having trouble interpreting your comment any differently from "paper cuts aren't that bad, so why is this person complaining about a stab wound?" Understaffed is common and not in itself that big a deal; working in an environment where the system is visibly working against you, where you lack agency and people are forthright about how your well-being doesn't matter? That even the quality and success of your project doesn't really matter to them? That's not a paper cut.
I used to work in construction as well, and am from a family of carpenters stretching several generations. I've also worked directly with the OP, though briefly. But I also know a fair amount about her work. So I think I have a relevant perspective; whether you respect it or not is up to you. But my experience is that Katelyn is very good technically. She's no whiner, she's persevered through quite a few tough situations that I know of, and what happened with the rest of the team kind of backs up her perspective on the situation. I agree that we software people are privileged, but we also have pressures that people in construction don't have and it's worthwhile looking at them seriously instead of invalidating them because some things are easier. (Construction and carpentry have their own distinct pressures, but also their own benefits. I would far rather be a software developer personally. My dad would far rather be a carpenter. I work on interesting problems and make more money. He works outside and directly improves people's lives, and becomes long-term friends with many of them.)
> Based on your other comments, it seems your main complaint is the use of the word "toxic". Which I agree is overused and has been expanded to cover more ground than it used to, but the OP is far from the first to apply it more broadly. This is well within the range of how the word is used today, especially when referring to "toxic work environments".
I've seen it used as broadly but very rarely - generally, "toxic environments" are ones where intentional malice is involved.
> people are forthright about how your well-being doesn't matter
Where in OP's post is this said? This would actually constitute malintent for me and elevate the situation to toxic but I can't find where this is said. It's possible given your experience that you know this happened, but I don't see it in the post itself.
My main issue is the use of "toxic" coupled with the post's advocacy for helping others recognize when they're in a toxic workplace. My concern is that anyone identifying with the general stress described could then accuse their coworkers/managers of manufacturing a toxic work environment. God forbid I have a meeting that someone else thought was unproductive and then accuses me of creating a toxic workplace.
> My main issue is the use of "toxic" coupled with the post's advocacy for helping others recognize when they're in a toxic workplace. My concern is that anyone identifying with the general stress described could then accuse their coworkers/managers of manufacturing a toxic work environment.
And they should.
A workplace is not supposed to be baseline stressful - and it's your manager's job to make sure it isn't. If stress is a constant part of your work environment, then your manager (or their manager, etc.) isn't doing their job, and that absolutely does create a toxic work environment.
As for the rest, I'm having trouble interpreting your comment any differently from "paper cuts aren't that bad, so why is this person complaining about a stab wound?" Understaffed is common and not in itself that big a deal; working in an environment where the system is visibly working against you, where you lack agency and people are forthright about how your well-being doesn't matter? That even the quality and success of your project doesn't really matter to them? That's not a paper cut.
I used to work in construction as well, and am from a family of carpenters stretching several generations. I've also worked directly with the OP, though briefly. But I also know a fair amount about her work. So I think I have a relevant perspective; whether you respect it or not is up to you. But my experience is that Katelyn is very good technically. She's no whiner, she's persevered through quite a few tough situations that I know of, and what happened with the rest of the team kind of backs up her perspective on the situation. I agree that we software people are privileged, but we also have pressures that people in construction don't have and it's worthwhile looking at them seriously instead of invalidating them because some things are easier. (Construction and carpentry have their own distinct pressures, but also their own benefits. I would far rather be a software developer personally. My dad would far rather be a carpenter. I work on interesting problems and make more money. He works outside and directly improves people's lives, and becomes long-term friends with many of them.)