Workplace toxicity: Who makes a work environment toxic the employer or the employee?

Workplace toxicity is an unfortunate, but common occurrence. It can be caused by many different elements of your work environment and the people in it. The workplace is supposed to be a place where you are able to grow your career, which doesn’t happen when there’s constant drama going on with the boss or co-workers.

What do you think makes a workplace toxic? Do employees make their own workplaces bad places or does management create that feeling? Regardless of who is causing the toxicity, it’s important to be aware of your feelings and recognize when you are in a toxic work environment.

What is workplace toxicity or toxic work environment?

A toxic work environment is one that is characterized by negative, harmful or poisonous behavior. This can include things like bullying, harassment, discrimination and other forms of mistreatment.

Toxic work environments can have a serious impact on your physical health. They are usually identified by an increase in drama and infighting, which harms productivity. If you find yourself constantly embroiled in personal battles at work, your workplace may be toxic.

There are many different factors that can contribute to a toxic work environment. It could be the result of a bad boss or co-workers who engage in negative behavior. It could also be caused by a high-pressure work environment where employees are constantly under stress.

A toxic work environment can have a number of negative effects on employees. It can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. It can also cause physical health problems such as headaches and stomach problems. A toxic work environment can make it difficult to concentrate and be productive at work.

What causes workplace toxicity?

Unclear goals and no transparency

When there are no clear goals or transparency in the workplace, it can lead to a feeling of toxicity. This is because employees may feel like they are not being valued or that their work is not meaningful. This can lead to a feeling of disconnection and frustration.

Examples and Consequences:

One example of this is when an employee is given a task to do but they are not given any guidance on what the end goal should be. This can leave the employee feeling lost and uncertain, which can eventually lead to them becoming disengaged with their work.

Another consequence of this lack of clarity is that it can breed competition and conflict among employees, as everyone tries to jockey for a position in an effort to be seen as more valuable or important.

Values/beliefs/attitudes are vague

Workplace toxicity can occur when employees have different values than the company they work for. This can lead to conflict and tension among coworkers.

How beliefs:

If an employee believes that their company is unfair or that their job is meaningless, this can create a toxic environment at work.

How attitudes:

A negative attitude towards one’s job or co-workers can make the workplace feel toxic. This can be caused by a variety of things, such as feeling undervalued or unappreciated.

Roles are unclear

When roles are unclear, it can lead to a feeling of being unimportant or unrecognized. This can cause people to feel resentful and create an environment of toxicity.

Examples:

• A team member is assigned a task, but they are unsure of what their role is in completing the task.
• A worker feels like they are constantly being asked to do things outside of their job description.
• An employee is not given clear expectations or guidance from their manager.

Communication is one-way only

Lack of communication is often the root cause of workplace toxicity. When employees feel like they are not being heard or their concerns are not being addressed, it can lead to a feeling of powerlessness and frustration.

This can be compounded by a lack of transparency from management, which can make employees feel like they are in the dark about what is happening in the company.

One-way communication:

One-way communication is another common cause of workplace toxicity. When managers or leaders only communicate downward (from them to their subordinates), it creates an environment where employees feel like they have no voice.

This can lead to a feeling of being devalued and unimportant, which can breed resentment and hostility.

Decision-making is top-down only

A top-down decision-making process is one in which decisions are made by those in positions of power, without consulting or involving those who will be affected by the decision.

How it leads to toxicity:

Top-down decision-making can lead to toxicity in the workplace for a number of reasons. First, it can create a feeling of powerlessness among employees, as they have no say in how the workplace is run. This can lead to resentment and frustration, which can turn into toxic behavior.

Additionally, top-down decision-making can lead to a lack of transparency and communication within an organization, as decisions are made without input from others. This can breed mistrust and suspicion, which can also contribute to a toxic work environment.

Examples:

One example of how top-down decision-making can lead to toxicity in the workplace is when managers make decisions without consulting or involving their employees.

For instance, a manager might decide to change the company’s vacation policy without input from employees or considering how it will impact them. This kind of decision-making can create feelings of powerlessness and frustration among employees, which can turn into toxic behavior.

Another example is when managers make decisions that are not transparent or communicated effectively to employees. For example, a manager might make a decision to lay off a certain number of employees, but not explain the reasoning behind the decision or give employees a chance to provide input.

This lack of communication and transparency can breed mistrust and suspicion, which can also contribute to a toxic work environment.

Feelings are not expressed but bottled up

When feelings are not expressed, they tend to get bottled up. This can lead to tension and conflict in the workplace, as people may feel like they are not being heard or valued. Bottling up emotions can also lead to physical health problems, such as high blood pressure and stress-related illnesses. In extreme cases, workplace toxicity can even lead to violence or suicide.

How to deal with it:

If you’re feeling bottled up at work, it’s important to find a way to express yourself in a healthy way. This might mean talking to a trusted colleague or friend, writing down your thoughts in a journal, or seeing a therapist outside of work.

It’s also important to create an environment at work where people feel comfortable expressing their emotions. This could involve setting up regular check-ins with employees, encouraging open communication, and creating space for emotional processing during team meetings

Listening is passive

Listening is a process of receiving, interpreting, and responding to spoken communication.

How it contributes to toxicity:

Listening passively can contribute to workplace toxicity because it allows for miscommunication and misunderstanding. When people do not actively listen to each other, they may miss important details or fail to properly communicate their own thoughts and feelings. This can lead to conflict and frustration.

Consequences:

The consequences of poor listening can be significant. Miscommunication can lead to errors, wasted time, and decreased productivity. It can also damage relationships and create an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion.

Self-disclosure is either non-existent or becomes oversharing

Self-disclosure is the act of revealing information about oneself to others. This can range from sharing small pieces of information, such as your hobbies or interests, to more significant disclosures, like your thoughts and feelings.

Why do people self-disclose?

People self-disclose for a variety of reasons. In some cases, people may want to build closer relationships with others and feel that sharing personal information will help them do so.

In other cases, people may simply be trying to be polite or make conversation. Additionally, some people may feel that they need to share certain information in order to receive support or assistance from others.

What is oversharing:

Oversharing is the act of sharing too much information about oneself with others. This can range from sharing small pieces of information that are not really necessary, to disclosing sensitive personal details that might be better left unsaid.

Oversharing can often lead to awkwardness or even conflict in relationships. Additionally, it can also put a person at risk for identity theft or other forms of exploitation if they share too much personal information online.

Consequences of oversharing:

There are a number of potential consequences that can result from oversharing. For one, it can lead to awkwardness or even conflict in relationships.

Additionally, it can also put a person at risk for identity theft or other forms of exploitation if they share too much personal information online. Additionally, oversharing can also lead to a loss of privacy and may make it difficult for a person to keep aspects of their life private if they are constantly sharing everything with others.

Conflicts are negative and unproductive

A conflict is a disagreement between two or more people. Conflicts can be caused by different values, interests, or goals. They can also be caused by a difference in communication styles.

Consequences:

Conflicts can lead to negative consequences such as decreased productivity, missed deadlines, and increased stress levels. They can also damage relationships and lead to communication breakdowns.

How to resolve:

There are several ways to resolve conflicts. These include compromise, collaboration, and avoidance.

Human resource primacy

Human resource primacy is the belief that people are the most important asset in an organization. This belief leads to practices that prioritize the needs of employees over other considerations.

Consequences:

Human resource primacy can have a number of negative consequences for organizations. For one, it can lead to a focus on short-term gains rather than long-term planning.

Additionally, it can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency, as well as decreased productivity and creativity. Finally, it can create an environment of fear and mistrust.

Prevention:

There are a number of ways to prevent the negative consequences of human resource primacy. First, organizations should focus on long-term planning and goal setting.

Second, they should promote accountability and transparency through clear communication and reporting structures. Finally, they should foster a culture of trust by encouraging open dialogue and providing opportunities for employee input.

Task completion

Task completion is the process of completing a task or goal. It includes all the steps necessary to complete the task, from start to finish.

How it contributes to toxicity:

Task completion can contribute to workplace toxicity in several ways. First, if employees are not given clear instructions on how to complete a task, they may become frustrated and feel like they are not being valued or appreciated.

Second, if employees are constantly being asked to work on tasks that are beyond their skill level or that are not interesting to them, they may become resentful and feel like their work is not worth doing.

Finally, if employees feel like they are always being monitored and evaluated while they are working on a task, they may feel stressed and anxious, which can lead to lower productivity levels.

Who is responsible for workplace toxicity?

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the workplace is free from toxicity and that employees are treated with respect. If the employer fails to do so, they may be held liable for creating a hostile work environment.

Employee:

Employees are responsible for their own conduct at work. If they engage in behavior that creates a toxic environment, they may be held liable for creating a hostile work environment.

Both:

Both employers and employees are responsible for creating a respectful and professional workplace. If either party fails to do so, they may be held liable for creating a hostile work environment.

How does workplace toxicity impact employees?

Workplace toxicity can refer to a number of different things, from an overtly hostile work environment to a general feeling of unhappiness in the office. It can be difficult to identify the source of workplace toxicity, but it is often thought that it originates with the employees rather than the employer.

There are a number of different types of employees that can contribute to a toxic work environment. The Power Vampires are those who suck the life out of others in order to feel powerful. The Gossipers spread rumors and negative information about others.

The Know-it-alls think they know everything and are condescending to others. And finally, the Validation Addicts need constant validation from their coworkers and will do anything to get it.

Toxic work environments can have a significant impact on employees’ personal and professional lives. They can lead to decreased productivity, job dissatisfaction, and even health problems.

How does workplace toxicity impact employers?

Workplace toxicity can refer to a number of different things, but it generally refers to an environment in which employees do not feel safe or comfortable. This can lead to a number of negative consequences for the employer, including, but not limited to, the following:

A corrupt culture:

When employees are unhappy and uncomfortable, it can lead to a corrupt culture in which unethical behavior is normalized.

Poor leadership:

Toxic workplaces often have poor leadership that does not care about its employees or their well-being. This can lead to a number of problems, such as low morale and high turnover rates.

Lack of productivity:

Toxicity in the workplace often leads to decreased productivity as employees are less likely to be motivated or engaged.

The costs of workplace toxicity can be significant. They include:

• Low morale
• High turnover
• Increased absenteeism
• Reduced productivity
• Increased stress levels
• Legal costs associated with harassment claims Examples:

workplace toxicity can take many forms. Some examples include:

• Bullying or harassment
• Discrimination or prejudice against certain groups of people
• A hostile work environment where people feel uncomfortable or threatened Prevention:

How to handle a toxic work environment

Try to solve the issue by talking

If the problem is with a specific person, and it’s not a one-time thing, you should talk to that person about it. If the problem is with the work environment in general, you should talk to your boss or HR.

What to say:

When you talk to someone about a problem, try to be as specific as possible about what the problem is and how it’s affecting you. Avoid making accusations or attacking the other person.

What not to say:

Don’t make assumptions about what the other person is thinking or feeling. Don’t use “you” statements (“You’re wrong,” “You’re being unreasonable,” etc.). These will only make the other person defensive and less likely to listen to what you’re saying.

Try to be calm:

It can be difficult to stay calm when you’re feeling stressed out by a toxic work environment, but it’s important to try. Take some deep breaths before you start talking, and focus on speaking in a calm, rational way.

Confide in friends and family

It’s important to confide in friends and family about a toxic work environment for several reasons. First, it can be difficult to deal with a toxic work environment on your own.

Talking to someone who cares about you can help you feel supported and less alone. Second, friends and family can offer helpful perspectives on the situation. They may be able to see things that you’re missing because you’re too close to the situation.

Finally, talking about what’s going on can help you process your feelings and figure out what to do next.

What to say:

When confiding in friends or family about a toxic work environment, it’s important to be as specific as possible about what is happening. This will help them understand the situation and give them the information they need to offer helpful advice.

Try to include details about the behavior of specific people, how it makes you feel, and how it is affecting your work performance.

What not to say:

There are a few things that you should avoid saying when confiding in friends or family about a toxic work environment. First, try not to make generalizations or speak in absolutes (e.g., “Everyone at my job is horrible”).

Second, avoid making negative statements about yourself (e.g., “I’m such a failure”). Finally, don’t vent your anger at specific people (e.g., “I hate my boss”).

Doing these things will only make the situation worse and could damage your relationships with the people you’re confiding in.

Seek support in the office

The first step is to identify your allies in the office. These are the people who you can rely on to support you and have your back, even when things are tough. They might be your friends, or they might be colleagues who you don’t know well but who you can trust.

Talk to your HR department:

If you’re feeling like the office is a toxic environment, it’s important to talk to someone about it. The best person to talk to is usually someone in the HR department. They can help you understand your options and what steps you can take to improve the situation.

Consider therapy:

If the office environment is really affecting your mental health, it might be worth considering therapy. This can help you deal with the stress of the situation and give you some tools to deal with difficult situations in the future.

Document everything you do

In order to protect yourself from a toxic work environment, it is important to document everything you do. This includes documenting your interactions with your co-workers, your boss and any other relevant parties.

It is also important to document any incidents that occur that you feel are indicative of a toxic work environment.

How to document:

There are a few different ways you can go about documenting your experiences in a toxic work environment. You can keep a personal journal detailing your daily experiences. You can also take screenshots or save emails and other communications that may be relevant.

When to document:

You should start documenting your experiences as soon as possible after you start noticing signs of a toxic work environment. This way, you will have a record of what has been happening and can use it to support any claims you may need to make in the future.

Approach HR with your issue

A toxic work environment is one that is characterized by negativity, drama, and conflict. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a difficult boss, negative co-workers, or a high-stress job. If you find yourself in a toxic work environment, it’s important to take steps to protect your mental and emotional health.

How to approach HR about your issue:

If you feel like you’re in a truly toxic work environment and nothing has helped improve the situation, it’s time to approach HR about your issue. Be prepared with specific examples of what has been going on and how it has affected your work performance and mental health.

It’s also important to have realistic expectations for what HR can do to help. They may be able to mediate the situation or offer counseling services, but they may not be able to completely eliminate the toxicity.

Balance out the bad with the good

The first step is to identify the problem. This can be done by looking at the overall work environment and pinpointing what is causing the toxicity. Once the problem has been identified, it is important to find a solution.

Finding a solution:

There are many ways to find a solution to a toxic work environment. One way is to talk to your boss or HR department and try to find a way to improve the situation. Another way is to look for another job that will be less stressful and more positive.

Implementing the solution:

Once you have found a solution, it is important to implement it. This may mean changing your own behavior or attitude, or it may mean finding a new job. Whatever the solution, it is important to take action and make changes in order to improve the work environment.

Leave the company

A recent study found that 49% of American workers have thought about leaving their organization in the past year. Additionally, one in five have left their jobs in the past five years due to the corporate culture. The cost of turnover due to workplace culture exceeds $223 billion over the past five years. This number is staggering and highlights how important it is for companies to focus on creating a positive workplace culture.

What factors create a toxic workplace?

Core values are undefined or not taken seriously

Core values are the basic beliefs that guide an individual’s or organization’s actions. They provide a framework for decision-making and help individuals and organizations to identify what is important to them.

How they contribute to a toxic workplace:

If core values are undefined or not taken seriously, it can lead to a toxic workplace. This is because individuals will not have a common understanding of what is important and what is not, which can lead to conflict and power struggles.

Additionally, without a shared set of core values, it will be difficult for individuals to trust and respect one another, which are essential ingredients for a healthy workplace.

Company culture is nonexistent

Company culture is the set of values, beliefs, and attitudes that characterize a company and guide its employees. It can be positive or negative, but in either case, it has a significant impact on the workplace.

How does it affect the workplace:

Positive company culture can improve morale and motivation, leading to better performance and higher productivity. On the other hand, negative company culture can create an environment of stress and conflict, which can lead to lower productivity and high turnover.

What are the consequences of a toxic workplace:

A toxic workplace can have serious consequences for both employees and employers. Employees may suffer from health problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses.

They may also have difficulty concentrating or performing their work tasks effectively. In addition, toxic workplaces can lead to high levels of employee turnover, which is costly for employers in terms of time and money spent on recruiting and training new employees.

There is not enough feedback

One of the key factors that can create a toxic workplace is a lack of feedback. Feedback is important in any work environment, but it is especially crucial in workplaces where there is a lot of potential for conflict.

Without feedback, employees can become resentful and even hostile towards each other. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and trust, which can further exacerbate the problem.

Toxic workplaces and Consequences:

Toxic workplaces can have a number of negative consequences for both employees and employers. Employees may suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of working in a toxic environment.

This can lead to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and even quitting. Employers may also face legal action if their workplace is found to be toxic. In extreme cases, businesses may be forced to shut down entirely due to the negative publicity associated with having a toxic workplace.

Old work habits die hard (or not at all)

1. Gossiping: Gossiping is one of the most common habits that create toxicity in the workplace. It can start innocently enough but quickly escalate into something more harmful. If you find yourself gossiping, try to reframe the conversation by asking questions or making statements that encourage positive discussion.
2. Complaining: Complaining is another habit that can easily create a toxic workplace. It can be tempting to vent about your job or co-workers, but this can make the work environment feel negative and unproductive. If you find yourself complaining often, try to focus on finding solutions instead of dwelling on the problem.
3. Being passive-aggressive: Passive-aggressive behavior is a way of expressing anger or frustration indirectly instead of addressing it head-on. This can manifest as snarky comments, backhanded compliments, or sulking instead of communicating directly. Passive-aggressive behavior creates an unhealthy dynamic in the workplace and should be avoided if possible.
4. Refusing to compromise: In any workplace, there will always be some level of compromise required from everyone involved. Refusing to compromise on anything can make you seem inflexible and difficult to work with, which creates tension and conflict within a team dynamic.

If you find yourself struggling to compromise, try to remember that it’s often better to find a middle ground than to dig your heels in and risk creating a toxic environment.

There is too much focus on the output (and not enough on people)

People feel like they’re being treated like machines, not human beings. They become resentful and start to hate their jobs. Productivity suffers because people are unhappy and stressed out. In the worst cases, people might even start to sabotage the company’s work in order to get revenge.

Examples:

• Employees are given unrealistic deadlines that are impossible to meet.
• They’re constantly being monitored and micromanaged.
• They’re not given any autonomy or opportunity to use their creativity.

Employees that are not the right fit

There are a few key indicators that an employee is not the right fit for a company. One of the most common indicators is when an employee consistently fails to meet deadlines or complete tasks.

This can be frustrating for both the employee and their coworkers, and it can eventually lead to tension and conflict in the workplace. Additionally, another sign that an employee is not the right fit is if they regularly take sick days or are absent from work without notice.

This can disrupt workflow and make it difficult for other employees to pick up the slack. Finally, employees who constantly argue with others or who seem disengaged with their work are also likely not a good fit for the company.

The consequences of having employees that are not the right fit:

If a company has too many employees that are not the right fit, it can create a toxic workplace environment. This can lead to high turnover rates, as employees become frustrated and leave the company in search of a better working environment.

Additionally, toxic workplaces can negatively impact productivity levels and morale, as well as create safety hazards. In extreme cases, toxic workplaces can even lead to legal action being taken against the company.

When is a toxic work workplace illegal?

A toxic workplace is an environment where the conditions are so bad that it negatively impacts the workers’ health and well-being.

What are the legal protections for employees in a toxic workplace:

Employees in a toxic workplace have several legal protections, including the right to file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They may also be able to file a lawsuit against their employer if they can prove that the working conditions were so bad that they constituted negligence or intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Can you sue your employer for the toxic work environment?

Employees have a right to work in a professional environment free from harassment. This includes both verbal and physical harassment. Anyone can create a hostile work environment, not just your boss. Offensive conduct must target a protected group in order to be considered unlawful harassment. If you are experiencing a toxic work environment, you may be able to sue your employer.