Rid Your Company Of Its Toxic Work Environment

When you think of the word “toxic,” you may assume the definition carries some very overt signs and mental images. However, that’s not always the case, particular on the job. A toxic work environment can have an underlying toxicity that’s not always readily felt, especially by the person in charge. You may not even realize that your company’s work environment is categorically “toxic,” yet your employees may feel it. That feeling carries into performance, coworker interaction, and threat of turnovers. Find out if your company has a toxic work environment and how to handle it effectively.

Signs Of Toxicity
A work environment can grow increasingly toxic, but you must pay attention to the signs. You’ll notice it may be one employee in particular who creates a disturbance. Perhaps they’re overly critical of their coworkers or they spend too much time meddling with everyone and creating office banter, while others look noticeably uncomfortable. Or perhaps you are the overly critical leader, constantly poking at your team as they show symptoms of noticeable emotional exhaustion. These are not hard to point out, though they can fester until it’s too late.

The Difference Between “Toxic” And “Hostile”
A toxic work environment is unhealthy, though it’s not illegal. A hostile work environment is. Factors playing into a “hostile” work environment include sexual harassment, discrimination (age, race, disability, sexuality, religion, gender), and a continuous widespread effect on a company. The situation can escalate once it affects an employee’s mobility within the company, and you as a boss can be held accountable along with your company should you not investigate any situations that are categorically perceived as hostile. This is not only a toxic environment, but it can find its way to court should it not be rectified.

Nip It In The Bud
Whether toxic or a high-level hostile work environment, both should be eliminated. There are ways to do this. If there’s an employee in question whose behavior is deemed inappropriate, handle it quickly. Do not let the situation get worse before it gets better. Create an environment where your team can voice any problems they may have within the company, so you can have a broader understanding of what’s going on at all times. As the employer, be aware of your own behaviors. Keep yourself in check, and supply morale-building workshops for your team. You should attend them as well. If everyone is on the same page, the likelihood of toxicity will decrease significantly.