Last Updated on November 28, 2024 by It’s Complicated
Editorial note: This is a guest article from Emma Becker, mindfulness-based career coach based in the U.S.
A toxic workplace is rampant in many companies and organizations across the globe. It can be detrimental to the employees’ health and well-being. The numbers don’t lie:
One in five workers (19%) report a ‘very or somewhat’ toxic workplace. (APA, 2023)
- One in four employees experiences toxic behavior in the workplace. (McKinsey, 2022)
- Toxic corporate culture is 10.4 times more likely to cause employee turnover—the top predictor of attrition amid the Great Resignation. (MIT Sloan, 2022)
A toxic work environment is any work setting with a negative ambiance that affects employee well-being, prevents professional growth, and hampers business success. It can take many different forms, such as employees gossiping at work or leaders bullying their subordinates.
It’s crucial to identify the signs of a toxic workplace. That way, you can evade one as a worker or improve your culture as a business leader. Otherwise, it can negatively impact your mental health and overall well-being.
Let’s explore the ten signs of a toxic work environment you should be wary of.
1. Employee burnout
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers burnout an occupational phenomenon. It defines it as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” The WHO also mentions its three characteristics: exhaustion, job negativity, and low effectiveness.
Employee burnout is a workplace concern affecting many businesses and organizations worldwide. The report also cites that the most vulnerable are younger employees, Hispanic workers, women, and those with multiple jobs. That’s why employers now do what it takes to stop burnout for good.
2. Ineffective leadership
Leadership encompasses managing people; It involves motivating, influencing, and guiding employees to accomplish work toward shared business goals. However, only 40% of leaders rate their leadership as “very good” or “excellent.” This number has dropped by 8% since the pandemic, indicating that managing a global team is harder than ever.
Unfortunately, a toxic workplace stems from ineffective leadership, causing a lot of employees to quit. It’s easy to see some leaders having self-interest, posing no self-awareness, and lacking empathy. Some don’t know how to take the lead and manage a team; Others engage in too much politicking, power-tripping, and, worse, bullying.
3. Constant micromanagement
Micromanagement is an existing problem in the workplace. Gartner defines it as excessive supervision of employees, while Forbes regards it as a form of bullying since it involves taking control of people. Nearly 80% of employees had experienced micromanagement. While almost 70% planned to change jobs, over 35% did so due to micromanagement.
Taking control of employees by telling them what to do and monitoring each and every action is a big no-no. As a leader, put your trust and confidence in your employees after delegating tasks. However, offer help and support to empower and avoid neglecting them.
4. Poor communication
Effective communication is almost always the key to business success. It’s defined as the clear, consistent, and prompt exchange of information among leaders and employees. Not only does it increase productivity by 25%, but it also boosts the shareholders’ return on investment (ROI) by about 47%.
The lack of communication and transparency affects team collaboration and business productivity. This can also lead to potential misunderstandings and conflicts among employees and leaders. So, it’s important to open lines of communication at work.
5. Lack of engagement
Employee engagement has become a prevailing concern in the workplace. American workers feel more detached from their employers and have fewer expectations, satisfaction, and connections with their companies than four years ago. In fact, only 33% felt engaged at work last year—a slight decline in recent years!
Organizations without engagement programs make employees disengaged, leaving them indifferent and apathetic. It’s best to hold regular company events, team-building initiatives, and even simple work activities that could break the ice. But when employees no longer join and participate, it’s an alarming sign of a toxic work environment.
6. No rewards and recognition
Employee rewards and recognition are essential in the workplace. With these in place, 57% of workers recommend their company to others. Likewise, 52% become more productive, while 43% are less likely to look for another job.
However, some organizations do not have employee rewards and recognition programs. They lack a culture of appreciation and gratitude, making the workplace merely transactional and utterly toxic. Consider holding recognition days, providing incentives, and offering perks for hardworking employees to boost their morale, job satisfaction, and work productivity.
7. No professional growth
Did you know that a quarter of American employees resigned in 2023? Potentially leading to the Great Resignation 2.0, the lack of career opportunities is their top reason for leaving. Pew Research Center also reports that the vast majority of workers (63%) quit their jobs due to the lack of career advancements besides low pay.
It’s vital to invest in your employees’ professional growth and career advancement. Offer them training programs and learning opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. If your training center specializes in ancient languages, for example, let them learn to speak Attic Greek, Latin, and even Old English.
8. Cliques and gossip
It’s no secret that cliques and gossip are common in the workplace. For the uninitiated, cliques are tight-knit groups that exclude others. However, employees in these groups tend to engage in gossip and rumor-mongering, which can make the work environment toxic, divisive, and unproductive.
What better way to have a healthy and productive workplace than to promote a positive culture? You can achieve this goal through employee engagement (like team-building activities) as well as rewards and recognition (by showing appreciation).
9. Disrespectful behaviors
Disrespectful behaviors are a big no-no in the workplace. Think of bullying, discrimination, and harassment at work. Offensive jokes, insults, intimidation, and even physical threats are forms of toxicity. These promote a negative workplace culture, which is rampant in many companies or organizations.
Business leaders and HR professionals should review company policies to ensure disrespectful behaviors aren’t tolerated at work. More importantly, they should orient and make employees responsible and accountable for their actions.
10. No work-life balance
Did you know? About 83% of American employees are suffering from work-related stress. This could result in burnout and further escalate to anxiety and depression. That is because many companies and organizations offer work-life balance, leaving their employees completely stressed and burned out.
That’s why many employers worldwide are now investing in employee wellness or mental health programs. These programs aim to promote good health and overall well-being by establishing a positive workplace with healthy boundaries. They focus on work-life balance as a way to draw the line between personal and professional life.
Final Words
A toxic workplace is prevalent worldwide, negatively impacting professional and business growth. Consider the ten signs of a hostile work environment discussed above. As an employee, choose an employer that promotes a positive workplace culture. But as a business leader, take the initiative to foster a healthy working environment.
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