Manager's Guide to Breaking the Toxicity at Work

Following our previous discussion on breaking the silence surrounding toxic work culture, it's clear that many of you agree – the responsibility falls on management to initiate change.

Despite employees voicing their concerns, it's often the case that managers overlook or disregard these issues. Today, I want to dig deeper into how managers can take proactive steps to dissolve toxicity in the workplace and foster an environment where employees feel safe to express themselves.

Lead by Example:

Managers must set the tone for the work culture by modeling positive behaviors themselves. This includes showing respect, empathy, and open communication with all team members. When managers demonstrate these qualities, it encourages others to follow suit and creates a culture of mutual respect.

Foster Open Communication:

It's crucial to encourage employees to voice their concerns, ideas, and feedback openly without fear of reprisal. This happens when regular check-ins are planned and implemented, team meetings and anonymous feedback channels take place to ensure that everyone has a voice and feels heard. Actively listen to employee feedback and take appropriate action to address any issues that arise.

Prioritize Work-Life Balance:

Recognizing that employees have lives outside of work and supporting them in maintaining a healthy balance will eventually boost their productivity. Happy employees make happy businesses and customers. So by all means, avoid expecting employees to work long hours or be constantly available outside of regular working hours. Instead, encourage taking breaks, utilizing vacation time, and promoting self-care practices to prevent burnout.

Provide Opportunities for Growth:

Investing in employee development and providing opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization will yield wins for both parties. Same as offering training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career progression paths that empower employees to reach their full potential. So always recognize and reward employees for their achievements and contributions to the team.

Address Conflict and Toxic Behavior Promptly:

Don't ignore or tolerate toxic behavior in the workplace. Address conflicts and issues as soon as they arise and take appropriate action to resolve them. Implement clear policies and procedures for handling conflicts, harassment, and discrimination, and ensure that all employees are aware of them.

In conclusion, creating a healthy work culture always starts with effective leadership and proactive measures from managers. So let's work together to break the cycle of toxicity and create a more positive and inclusive work environment for all.

Emna Ghariani is a multi-time entrepreneur and digital wellbeing activist who spent years building solutions to fight the hustle work culture and find real ways to get to work-life balance. If you want to get on this journey, start by reclaiming your time using the FlowFinitee app, your Swiss army knife to fight burnout and decision fatigue.