Effects of a Toxic Workplace Culture

Distance and Space can be a Great Healer.

Employees' ability to work remotely certainly has pros and cons from many evident perspectives, and countless articles and blogs are circulating about the subject. However, what may have been missed is that it alleviates and mitigates those who tend to be toxic to the office environment. While it's not impossible, it's much harder for employees to be harmful when working remotely. Negativity feeds on an audience.

Those who are arrogant and toxic to those around them seek an audience. Without the workplace forum, they find it difficult to satisfy their hunger; however, they will continue to seek out and recruit internal cohorts because that's what they do. So, remote employees, be diligent and on the lookout! Take note, toxic employees have not entirely gone away; they've just taken a step back to regroup.

Why are Some Employees Toxic to Their Environment, Whatever Form it Takes?

Some toxic employees are wholly unaware that they are being poisonous and claim they are just 'being themselves,' stubborn, resilient, and belligerent. They cloak their negativity as a positive trait; unbeknownst to them, they only come across as your everyday jerk. Others are utterly aware of their steps to undermine the environment and attempt to bully and bring down those around them to their base level. That's what they've done throughout their career and likely in other parts of their lives. Very few bother to stand up to them.

In either case, the desire for negativity is a powerful force in a toxic employee's psyche. Despite the lack of proximity, they will find a way to latch on to anyone willing to become their next victim. Unfortunately, because of their approach, we don't always see them coming; here are three ways to recognize and deal with a toxic colleague, whether in the office or remote, and keep yourself positive and productive, particularly during challenging times:

How do you Recognize Toxicity in the Workplace?

1. Toxic employees are cyclical and like to complain, but they will typically do so passive-aggressively. Beware; they will start with small negative comments to see how you react and build from there if they sense you are on board.

2. Toxic employees are arrogant, like to brag, and think they are better than everyone else. Like their complaining, their boasting will be subtle until they gain your confidence, at which point it will become more overt.

3. Toxic employees love to gossip and latch on to anyone who will listen or provide a channel for their negativity; they must share their negativity with others. Don't become their confidant!

Strategies for dealing with toxic colleagues:

Complainers

Sometimes, it's not easy to spot a complainer. They will typically do so subtly; they will attempt to draw you into the complaining mode without realizing it. Keep an ear out during the conversation. Often, their complaints will start about something external, like the weather, what's going on in the news, or a client relationship. However, they will likely come back to complaining about your company, management, colleagues, or internal issues.

If they are a more senior colleague, they are inviting you to begin complaining to endear themselves to you as a cohort. Please don't take the bait; it is a slippery slope, highly unproductive, and will likely damage your career in the long run. If you find or sense this happening, return with a positive remark. A positive comeback will likely stop them in their tracks. Most importantly, once you feel they are a complainer, strategy one is to keep a safe distance.

Arrogant Colleagues

Toxic employees are arrogant. They feel they are carrying the company's weight on their backs, and everyone depends on them for success. Everyone else is lazy, unskilled, and undisciplined. How fortunate we all are to have them on our team! Usually, there is some small truth to what they say; they generally have more experience or lack the self-discipline to create a work-life balance. They are certified workaholics and proud of it.

They will obfuscate with an outward appearance of team spirit and support; they are the first to congratulate others in public, but it's a very different story one-on-one. Don't mistake confidence for arrogance; confidence means one has developed expertise that doesn't need an introduction; it shows in their work and how they genuinely treat others, particularly under pressure. Those who are arrogant can't wait to tell you how good they are and turn each conversation towards themselves. Strategy number two, like number one, is to keep a safe distance.

Gossipers

Toxic employees who love to gossip inadvertently create a toxic workplace culture.. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, 'Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.' Inevitably, someone who likes to gossip will either begin talking about others or entice you to judge others. Gossip may seem obvious to spot, but it is not always. Gossip can be challenging to see the start of because the gossiper will likely begin with a positive or neutral comment to draw you in, move to a subtle comparison to others, and finally, a negative judgmental comment about others' shortcomings, lack of success, or performance. As the conversation turns darker, they will be gauging your reaction to test your limits on your willingness to teach those around you. What's the best way to deal with gossipers? Strategy number three is a lot like numbers one and two. Keep a safe distance.

Spot Those Who Create a Toxic Workplace Culture

The better you learn to spot and stay clear of these people, the lighter you will feel; let them carry the weight of negativity on their shoulders instead of trying to pass it on and share it with you. Stay close to those colleagues who, instead of tearing others down, build up those around them and bring light during dark times. Light is at the end of the tunnel; follow those who carry the torch, not those who lead you into further darkness.