Your work environment significantly impacts employee engagement, productivity rates, and job satisfaction. These areas impact your bottom line.
Consistent pessimism, bullying, or other negativity can cause a toxic work environment to form in your organization. This leads to negative company culture, low employee morale, and high turnover.
Employees in a toxic work environment typically complete their work as soon as possible to avoid interacting with each other. The constant exposure to stress often causes these employees to miss a significant amount of work due to physical and mental health issues.
Developing a toxic work environment affects your organization’s reputation. Current and previous employees may leave poor employer reviews on Glassdoor and related sites discouraging job seekers from applying to openings. This makes it harder to attract and retain employees.
Implement these tips to avoid having a toxic work environment form in your organization:
Look for Signs of a Toxic Work Environment
Your work environment may become toxic if you notice any of the following:
- Unclear company goals
- Employee disregard for company values
- Uncertainty about job duties, responsibilities, purpose, or tasks
- Lack of clear or inclusive internal communication
- Decision-making with little or no employee input
- Little respect for employees’ feelings
- Ignoring conflict
- Not showing that employees are valued team members
- Micromanaging
Watch for Signs of Toxic Employees
One or a few toxic employees can lead to a toxic work environment forming in your organization. Pay attention to the following:
- Negative attitude
- Unwillingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions
- Gossiping
- Undermining colleagues or coworkers
- Not being productive
- Using the company phone or messaging systems for personal communication
- Employee harassment
Help Prevent a Toxic Work Environment from Forming
Model the behavior you want to see from others. This sets your expectations for employee interactions and work performance.
Match each employee with a mentor to promote learning and development. This supports relationship-building, communication, and cohesion in your organization.
Regularly ask your employees for feedback on ideas, processes, and procedures. Find out how to improve the company culture, work-life structure, and other issues.
Encourage your employees to talk with you about any questions, problems, or concerns they have. Provide the necessary support and resources to resolve the issues.
Recognize your employees’ contributions and results. Let your team know how much you appreciate their hard work.
Need to Replace Toxic Employees?
Staffing Texas can match you with qualified candidates who contribute to a positive work environment. Reach out today.
