Brigette Hyacinth* says that today more than ever, high performers will not tolerate unhappy workplaces and leaders need to change the culture before it’s too late.
Whenever a boss acts like a dictator — shutting down, embarrassing, or transferring anyone who dares to challenge the status quo — you’ve got a toxic workplace problem.
That’s not just because of the boss’ bad behaviour, but because that behaviour creates an environment in which everyone is scared and intimidated.
Sometimes they become willing to throw their colleagues under the bus, just to stay on the good side of such bosses.
A toxic culture will erode an organisation by paralysing its workforce, diminishing its productivity and stifling creativity and innovation.
Now more than ever business leaders need to be addressing issues of workplace toxicity.
It makes the difference in retaining good staff and also whether their organisation fails or succeeds.
Employees aren’t afraid to jump ship when faced with a toxic workplace — and it’s usually the high performers who will go first.
The biggest concern for any organisation should be when their most passionate people become quiet.
Here are some signs that a workplace is developing a toxic culture.
Company core values do not serve as the basis for how the organisation functions; employee suggestions are discarded; people are afraid to give honest feedback.
Little to no autonomy is given to employees in performing their jobs; blaming and punishment from management is the norm.
Excessive absenteeism, illness and high employee turnover; overworking is a badge of honour and is expected; little or strained interaction between employees and management.
Gossiping and/or social cliques; favouritism and office politics, and aggressive or bullying behaviour.
While toxic work cultures are the end result of many factors, it’s generally a combination of poor leadership and individuals who perpetuate the culture.
Toxicity in the workplace is costly.
Unhappy or disengaged employees cost companies billions of dollars each year in lost revenues, settlements and other damages.
Once you identify the major problems by gathering information, develop a plan and follow through.
It may mean training, moving or simply getting rid of bad bosses who are the root cause of toxicity in the workplace.
Show employees you care and are committed to improving their workplace environment.
Your employees can be your greatest asset but it all depends on how you treat them.
Sadly, if you do not cure the cancer in the root of the tree, not only will the branches and leaves die, but so will the tree.
*Brigette Hyacinth founded the MBA Caribbean Organisation which conducts seminars and workshops in leadership, management and education. She can be contacted at www.mbacaribbean.org.
This article first appeared on Brigette’s blogsite
