Many people feel bad about going to work. This can be because of a tough boss. It can also be because of difficult colleagues or unfriendly groups. You are not alone if you feel this way. Recent research shows that workplace incivility is increasing. Incivility means rudeness, disrespect, or insensitive actions. These behaviors are widespread globally. Toxic workplace culture and toxic workplace behaviors are the cause of concern for many.
Blue Origin Story
Jeff Bezos’ company, Blue Origin, is accused of having a toxic workplace. Twenty-one percent of former employees claimed this. They said employees signed strict nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). These NDAs stopped internal feedback. Former employees also mentioned mistrust and ignored safety concerns. They also described a sexist environment for women.
Ellen DeGeneres Show
The talk show of Ellen DeGeneres ended because of a workplace scandal. There were broad claims of a toxic work environment. Top producers were accused of serious sexual misconduct with lower-level staff.
When asked about the alleged misconduct, Ellen replied. She said creative people are constantly challenged. They need to be challenged to be their best. She added that creative people have to deal with such things more often now. Toxic workplace culture and toxic workplace behaviors are major concerns for many people.
Toxic Workplace Behaviors – Signs of Workplace Incivility
Measuring how toxic a workplace is can be subjective, meaning it varies from person to person. Employees experience different levels of toxic behavior. While some colleagues may blatantly mock others, many people contribute to a toxic environment in more silent ways.
Harsh Criticism of Someone
This involves giving a subordinate criticism that is not constructive, especially in front of other colleagues. A statement like, “This is like a childish effort,” can embarrass and humiliate the person.
Taking Credit for Others’ Work
A person contributes to toxicity when they fail to provide gratitude and credit where it is due. They may take the praise for themselves instead of acknowledging the original contributor.
Displaying Curtness as Efficiency
Some individuals claim that a heavy workload and performance pressure force them to stop being nice and, instead, be rude. They use “efficiency” as an excuse for being curt.
Ignoring Tone and Disharmonized Expression
This is when a person shows no sensitivity toward what should be said and how it should be said to a worker, disregarding the possible consequences. They assume their current communication style fits every situation.
Failing to Make Eye Contact and Smile
In a cold, suffocated, and pressured atmosphere, some people forget how to smile and acknowledge others. This lack of simple human connection contributes to a feeling of alienation.
Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying is one of the clearest and most dominant signs of a toxic workplace culture and toxic behaviors. It may seem unfair, but a particular employee can become a target of bullying for reasons that are actually positive. Bullies often target those who stand out.
You Attract Positive Attention
You might become a target because your work gains a lot of positive attention from others, which can make others jealous.
You Are Highly Capable
Bullying can arise because you are smart, intelligent, knowledgeable, and creative. Your natural abilities make others feel threatened.
You Bring Innovation
You regularly contribute new and innovative ideas, which can upset colleagues who prefer the status quo or feel their own contributions are overshadowed.
You Gain Recognition for Effort
You might make an extra effort and receive recognition for your hard work, causing resentment among those who don’t work as hard.
You Are Highly Efficient
You could be moving through projects successfully when others around you are struggling to keep up. This efficiency can sometimes lead to others viewing you as a target.
Bad and Non-Communicative Boss
Some workplaces have an abusive boss. This boss acts like a dictator. They keep everyone under tight control. They hire and fire people without good reason. This behavior greatly contributes to a toxic workplace culture.
The boss’s bad actions create a poor environment. Everyone has to work in a scary and intimidating situation. People are even forced to secretly blame colleagues on the boss. They do this to look good to the boss and protect themselves.
Impact and Solution
A toxic workplace culture hurts the company. It lowers the organization’s productivity. It paralyzes the workforce. It stops creativity and innovation. It is now time for employers and industry leaders to fix these problems. Keeping good, performing staff makes a big difference. It decides if the company succeeds or fails. If these issues are not fixed, employees will try to quit and find new jobs.
Workplace Groupism
Groups at work are very common. They exist in almost every organization. These groups often contribute greatly to a toxic workplace culture. This is part of office politics.
How Groups Form
Groups form because people share similar opinions and interests. They feel comfortable and get along easily. Shared cultures and like-mindedness also help form groups.
The Problems They Cause
This group behavior leads to favoritism and workplace rivalry. It generates conflicts and problems among employees. It makes the work environment extremely volatile. It brings unhealthy competition to the workplace. The following effects of workplace groupism-
Disrupt Teamwork
Becomes a hassle for new entrants
Individual Group Development
Unwanted and Cut-throat Competition
Demoralizing and De-motivating
Low Productivity
Unnerving work environment
Organizations Enjoy Toxic Workplace
Senior management and employers sometimes create toxic workplaces. They do this to gain maximum control in their organization. They want to create divisions among their employees.
Strategy of Division
They want to see divisions in their ranks. When employees are divided, management can learn about individual issues. They find out about problems related to employees, business, and performance.
Results of This Strategy
Sometimes, this strategy can be productive for the management. However, in most cases, this behavior is degenerative. This means it harms the organization and its employees over time. It makes the company weaker.
