From Conflict to Cohesion: Managing Toxic Employee Behavior and Amplifying Engagement

In every workplace, there are people who exhibit toxic behaviors that can poison the overall work environment. Toxicity obviously affects individual employees, but it has an even more significant impact on team dynamics and overall workplace culture. As a CHRO or HR leader, you need to be vigilant about identifying and addressing toxic behaviors proactively to maintain a healthy and productive work environment.

In this article, we will dive into the world of toxic employee behavior, including its various types of that commonly surface in organizations and discuss their negative consequences on individual employees, team dynamics, and its effects on employee engagement and workplace culture. But a silver lining exists; and we’ll look into practical strategies for effectively managing toxic employees while promoting positive behavioral employee engagement.

Understanding and Identifying Toxic Employee Behaviors

Recognizing toxic behaviors in the workplace is crucial for managing their impact on employee engagement and organizational culture. These behaviors can range from subtle undermining to outright aggression, but all have the potential to disrupt team harmony and undermine employee engagement.

Common examples of toxic behaviors include constant complaining, gossiping, micromanaging, taking credit for others' work, frequent conflicts with colleagues, chronic negativity, unwillingness to take responsibility for mistakes, and resistance to constructive feedback.

Toxic employees may also engage in passive-aggressive behavior, undermining the efforts of others while appearing innocent on the surface.

Toxic employee behaviors are actions and attitudes that create a hostile or negative work environment and the negative impact of toxic behaviors can be far-reaching. It not only affects the mental and emotional well-being of employees who are on the receiving end but can also create a toxic ripple effect, spreading negativity across the entire organization.

Toxic employees often disrupt teamwork, damage team morale, and erode trust among team members. They can create a toxic work environment where employees feel demotivated, stressed, and disengaged. The result? An overall low performing enterprise.

HR leaders and managers must keep a close eye on employee interactions and communication patterns to spot potential toxic behavior. Open channels of communication with employees are an integral source of feedback to uncover any signs of toxicity. 

Impact of Toxic Behaviors on Employee Engagement

Toxic behaviors take a toll on employee engagement, leading to reduced productivity and overall dissatisfaction among the workforce. Infact, a toxic employee can reduce the entire team’s performance by 40%.

Employees who are subjected to toxic behaviors may experience increased stress, anxiety, and burnout, ultimately leading to disengagement and decreased motivation to perform at their best. Toxic employees can create a hostile work environment where collaboration and teamwork suffer, hindering creativity and innovation within the organization.

Employees who experience toxic behaviors from their co-workers are more likely to seek alternative employment opportunities, where they can find a healthier and more supportive work environment. High turnover rates can result in increased recruitment and training costs, leading to financial implications for the organization.

A Harvard Busienss School study reports that avoiding just ONE toxic hire, or letting one go quickly, saves costs worth $12,500 on the bottomline. The same study reveals how toxic employees impact a business’ morale and time:

• 80% lost work time worrying about the offending employee's rudeness.
• 78% said their commitment to the organization declined in the face of toxic behavior.
• 63 percent lost worktime in avoiding the offender.

Strategies for Managing Toxic Employees

Addressing toxic behaviors proactively is essential for maintaining a positive work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated to contribute their best efforts. Effectively managing toxic employees requires a combination of proactive measures and thoughtful interventions:

1. Open Communication

2. Conflict resolution
Implement conflict resolution strategies to address issues promptly and prevent escalation. Encourage employees to resolve conflicts constructively through mediation and dialogue, facilitating a harmonious work environment.

3. Coaching and mentorship
Provide coaching and mentorship to toxic employees to help them recognize and modify their negative behaviors. Offer support and guidance to help them develop healthier interactions with their colleagues.

4. Setting clear expectations
Communicate clear expectations and behavior standards within the organization. By setting a positive example from the top leadership, you can influence a culture of respect and collaboration.

5. Proactive recognition
Promote positive behaviors and recognize employees who display constructive and supportive attitudes. Rewarding positive behaviors encourages employees to emulate such conduct, contributing to a more engaged and harmonious workplace.

6. Leadership's role
Emphasize the role of leaders in fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Train managers to identify and address toxic behaviors promptly and create a culture of mutual respect and appreciation.

7. Ongoing training
Provide ongoing training and development programs on conflict management, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills to empower employees to navigate challenging situations effectively.

8. Proactive engagement initiatives
Implement employee engagement initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the workforce. Organize team-building activities and initiatives that encourage collaboration and team bonding.

Breaking the cycle of toxicity: Create a positive workplace culture 

“Nothing is more costly to an organization's culture than a toxic employee — it's contagious, spreads quickly, and anyone can be a carrier.”

Addressing toxic behaviors proactively is a critical step in promoting a culture of respect, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. By nurturing a supportive work environment, organizations can enhance employee engagement and unlock the full potential of their workforce. By recognizing the early inidicators of toxic behaviors and implementing proactive strategies to address them, you can create a positive and productive work environment.

Using Amber’s AI-driven insights enable you to build a strategy that’s focussed around continuous listening and scalability, you can stay connected with your workers, uncover hidden gaps in your culture, and create a more engaged and thriving workforce.

Together, let's build workplaces where every employee feels valued, heard, and motivated.

Explore Amber, by inFeedo’s employee engagement platform and take the first step towards a more engaged and productive workforce.