NAVIGATING A TOXIC WORKPLACE

Introduction

Workplace toxicity is a common issue in many organizations. It often creates a hostile environment that consistently undermines worker well-being, productivity, and performance. This article delves into the causes and consequences of workplace toxicity and the steps required to create a toxic-free environment.

Causes of Workplace Toxicity

Workplace toxicity has three consistent features:

1. Abuse of Power by Leaders

Research shows that leaders are more comfortable expressing anger and frustration than employees without formal authority. Feelings of aggravation in response to setbacks and disappointments are normal and can even be useful. For example, leaders who can constructively express disappointment while remaining solution-oriented build trust by modeling authenticity and positivity. By reframing challenges as opportunities to learn, they create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. 

However, the destructive expression of anger, characterized by contempt, can leave employees feeling humiliated and demoralized. Contempt is a hierarchy-related emotion characterized as a feeling of disdain for someone considered inferior or unworthy. In toxic workplaces, leaders feel justified in displaying contempt and "putting employees down" at the expense of their dignity and self-respect. 

2. Lack of Support

Organizations that enable leaders to treat employees unfairly by failing to hold them accountable reinforce toxicity in the workplace. Unsupportive environments can exacerbate the situation, leaving employees with little to no recourse following an injustice. When employees are subjected to unfair treatment, especially when repeated and prolonged, it can create a hostile work environment.  

For example, since it's more likely that employees will be punished for expressing frustration, they may seek less noticeable ways of getting even. Their strategy might include counter-productive work behaviors like decreasing the quality of their work, being chronically late or absent, and ignoring company policies. Undermining organizational standards can create a reinforcement loop where the hostility of workers and leaders escalates over time.

3. "Toxic" Positivity

Toxic workplaces often have unspoken rules that discourage employees from speaking up about their unfair treatment, making the situation worse. While it's important for companies to keep morale high by encouraging optimism and minimizing complaining, requiring employees to suppress feelings of disappointment in response to valid pain points can be just as harmful.

Studies show that the ongoing suppression of emotions can contribute to workplace toxicity. The act of constantly hiding or suppressing one's genuine emotions can lead to physiological, psychological, and emotional strain, further deteriorating the work environment. While HR Managers shouldn't be forced to referee conflicts between leaders and staff, it is equally ineffective to force employees to "grin and bear it," especially in the face of unfair treatment.

Read the rest of the article here: Navigating a Toxic Workplace | InsightEQ Solutions