Handling a Toxic Workplace Culture – Some Tips
We have all worked in jobs that are not perfect, but when the atmosphere becomes toxic, it can be a real problem.
Recognising the signs of this toxicity is the first step in the healing process.
Research states that a lack of support, particularly among new employees, is a well-known cause of workplace toxicity.
In other words, if you can’t engage people when they first join the organisation, problems will most certainly arise.
And the bad news is that the worse it is, the worse it will get, if left unresolved.
Another obvious sign of workplace toxicity is when there is deep-seated workplace disharmony.
This occurs when workers have low morale, resentment, and a feeling of being undervalued.
Toxicity can also occur when employees resist change of any kind, whether it is good for the organisation or not.
We know that fear of change is ingrained in many employees, and it is this fear that can create problems; miring the workplace in bureaucracy, sluggish decision-making, and low morale.
Another sign of a toxic work culture is when employees start calling in sick more often than normal.
It is no secret that stress of any kind causes disease, and workplace toxicity is no exception
Should you find yourself working in a toxic organisation, there are really only two main options.
One is to leave the organisation and find another job, and the other is to name the ‘elephant in the room’ and highlight the problem.
Both options take courage, and good leaders should have the initiative to take such constructive criticism on board.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve a toxic environment.
A good start is to carry out the following quick self-assessment:
- Consider whatever it is you are doing that may work against creating a positive workplace – then actively disengage from the negative interactions
- Start communicating positive messages to others.
Both of these actions should help combat workplace toxicity and hopefully, improve the situation.
By Mike Peeters