Toxic Workplaces; how to zurvive (locais de trabalho tóxico; como sobreviver)

A toxic work environment can be defined as one that negatively affects a company's employees, highlighting that the results of this can be felt both inside and outside the company.

Among the reasons why such places affect the quality of life of employees – even when they are not working hours – is that, generally, the related problems impact their mental health and behavior.

What’s the definition of a toxic work culture?

A toxic environment is characterized by negativity, dysfunction, and a lack of trust.

This can manifest in a number of ways, including bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

There may be a lack of transparency or low levels of respect in all parts of the organization, as well as high employee turnover and a lack of work-life balance.

What are the dangers of a toxic culture?

Toxic workplaces can have a hugely negative impact on both individual employees and on the organizations as a whole.

Employees who are subjected to a toxic workplace culture are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression,?as Verywellmind reports.

They’re also more likely to take time off work, or to leave the organization altogether.

MIT Sloan reported?that ‘toxic culture is driving the Great Resignation.

Their research found that a toxic corporate culture is 10.4 times more likely to predict a company’s attrition rate than compensation, and that toxic cultures are the number one predictor of employee turnover in US companies.

The research covered both blue-collar and corporate employees in industries ranging from apparel, retail and fast food services to tech and investment.

Indeed, organizations with toxic workplace cultures often find it difficult to attract and retain talent.

They also tend to have higher levels of absenteeism, and lower levels of productivity.

In extreme cases, toxic workplace cultures may even lead to legal action being taken against the organization, as in the case of?Abercrombie and Fitch (2004).

Furthermore, the costs are as much financial as they are human; SHRM’s 2019 report, The High Cost of a Toxic Workplace Culture, found that toxic workplaces cost businesses in the US $223 billion over 5 years thanks to employee attrition.

They found that 1 in 5 employees had left a company due to its company culture.

Signs of toxic culture

There are several warning signs of workplace toxicity.

Some of the most common include:

·???????? A lack of trust between employees and management

·???????? A feeling of being undervalued or unappreciated among employees

·???????? A competitive or cutthroat environment with hurtful office gossip and negative behavior going unchecked

·???????? A lack of transparency from management

·???????? Employees who dread going to work and experience the Sunday night blues ahead of Monday mornings

·???????? Micromanagement from superiors

·???????? Blame culture, where problems and failures are attributed to individuals rather than situations

MIT Sloan’s research found that?the three core components of toxic culture

?– the dark triad – are:

Failure to promote diversity, equity and inclusion

Workers feeling disrespected

Unethical behavior

However, among employees surveyed by SHRM, having a bad boss is also a big part of the picture:?58% said that a bad manager was the primary reason they left a toxic workplace.

How to change toxic work culture

It may not be a quick fix, but as an employer there are a few things you can do to create a healthier workplace culture.

Even the most nurturing and innovative cultures take work to maintain, so the habits you prioritize now can form the foundation of a continuous program of improvement.

Consider it the start of a journey that will end in a much better place than it began.

Here’s what you can do:

·???????? Make sure you’re clear about your company’s values. Employees should be aware of what your business stands for, and its values should be reflected in day-to-day operations.

·???????? Promote a healthy workplace culture by encouraging open communication and collaboration, and by ensuring that employees feel like they have a voice in the organization.

·???????? Set your expectations and communicate them regularly. Employees should know what the standards are and what behavior is expected of them.

·???????? Remember that a healthy workplace culture starts at the top. As an employer, you set the tone for the rest of the company. If you’re respectful and professional, your employees are more likely to follow suit. If you model positive behavior and treat your employees with respect, you’ll create a much healthier workplace culture overall.

·???????? Above all, listen to your employees?and act on their feedback. Experience data from your people is some of the most valuable information at your disposal, not only for maintaining a strong culture, but also for retaining talent, improving work-life balance, boosting engagement and fostering innovation.

·???????? Finally, create an environment?where employees feel secure in voicing their thoughts and feelings even if they go against the majority. This is vital both for employee experience and for innovation, and for highlighting when employees feel overwhelmed.

Your people should never fear retribution for speaking up!

Taking action against toxic work culture

If you’ve identified elements of toxic culture in your company, there’s no time to lose. It makes sense to start small, since toxic traits in the workplace can be pervasive and complex.

While you won’t fix the ultimate problem immediately, you can begin making life easier at work for employees, managers, and everyone else.

Some ways to do this include:

Naming the problem

By encouraging open communication between employees and management about the current culture, you can begin to win trust through transparency

Promoting a healthy work/life balance

If your people are dealing with a toxic work environment, it’s important to create a good quality of life outside the workplace.

You can do so by encouraging employees to make use of paid time off rather than pushing presenteeism.

Fostering a positive and supportive work environment

It may sound a little cheesy, but making and stating your commitment to positive change and emphasizing that management’s door is always open is a step in the right direction.

Encouraging employees to give feedback

You’re aware there’s a toxic work environment, but do you know what kinds of employee experiences are contributing to it?

By welcoming, acknowledging and acting on honest employee feedback, you can get a better grip on the problem while strengthening trust and communication at the same time.

Offering opportunities for growth

Focus on the future and make a commitment to your employees by offering them development and training opportunities that support their career goals.

Help them envision their future trajectory, whether it’s at your company or elsewhere.

You may even find it has a positive effect on employee retention.

By taking these steps, you can start to create a positive and productive work environment for your employees – and your business.

How to navigate toxic leaders, coworkers, and workplace culture

Toxic workplaces are pervasive—a staggering 56 percent of American workers claim their immediate boss falls within the mildly to highly toxic spectrum.

Toxic workplaces cause one in five people to leave their jobs at some point in their careers and even prompt employees to leave their jobs at a rate ten times that of compensation.

The economic toll of toxic environments on U.S. employers is estimated to be nearly $50 billion annually, with extremely disengaged employees being roughly 20 percent less productive.

The impact on health goes beyond heightened stress, burnout,?and mental health issues to physical illnesses.

For example, when employees experience injustice in the workplace, their odds of suffering a major disease (including coronary disease, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis) increase by 35 percent.

What constitutes a toxic culture?

Employees identify a culture as toxic when it is marked by disrespect, non-inclusivity, unethical practices, cutthroat competition, and abuse.

Navigating such environments requires resilience?and strategic approaches to maintain well-being and productivity.?

The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General outlines five key areas to focus on to ensure a healthy workplace culture and employee well-being.

Leadership: rising above toxicity

To mitigate the impact of a toxic leader,?explore connections with their higher-ups or lateral managers.

Participate in special projects with different project managers to diversify your professional network.

By broadening your scope, you may find mentors or advocates who can guide you through the challenges.

Meeting with other leaders in the organization can also help you suss out areas you may want to transfer to.

Coworkers; building bridges amidst turmoil

Toxicity amongst your teammates can look like unhealthy conflict, isolation, and bottlenecks.

To try to counteract this, seek connections outside your immediate circle.

Engage in cross-departmental interactions, whether in-person or virtually.

Consider initiating virtual coffees to understand different department functions and identify potential allies.

Expanding your network beyond the toxic sphere can provide support and insights that prove invaluable.

Organizational intervention; setting the foundation for change

Organizations play a pivotal role in cultivating a healthy work environment.

Implementing zero-tolerance policies for mistreatment, fostering civil interactions, and ensuring accountability are foundational steps.

Even if you cannot implement this at an organizational level, if you are a leader, you can implement it within your team.

Building a respectful, inclusive, and supportive culture not only removes toxicity but also benefits employees by building engagement and productivity.

Self-preservation; separating issues and maintaining dignity

In the midst of toxicity, it's crucial not to get caught up in the drama.

Separate yourself from the negative energy and focus on your work.

Prioritize your well-being by cultivating a positive mindset and seeking out activities that bring you joy outside of the workplace.

Engage in hobbies, pursue learning opportunities, and build relationships outside the workplace.

This detachment is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Outside resources; finding solace beyond the office walls

In extreme cases, where a toxic work environment persists, and internal resources are scarce, seek support outside of work.

This can be found through career?coaches, therapists, health practitioners, and/or spiritual?or religious leaders.

Creating a robust support system beyond the office can provide the necessary resilience to endure and, if needed, make a strategic exit.

The organizational costs; beyond personal suffering

Aside from the individual toll, a toxic culture exacts a heavy price on an organization's bottom line.

When toxic environments lead to employee illness, the organization bears the financial burden, including increased healthcare costs.

Recognizing these organizational costs is crucial for companies striving to create a healthy, productive, and inclusive workplace.

In conclusion, navigating a toxic workplace?requires a combination of personal resilience, strategic networking, and a commitment to self-preservation.

Organizations, too, must take responsibility for fostering positive cultures that prioritize the well-being of their employees.

By collectively addressing toxicity, we can work towards creating workplaces that inspire engagement, productivity, and overall employee well-being.

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