Sometimes I get questions about how to deal with a toxic workplace and the harm it can cause to individuals and groups. Whether it's open hostility or something more covert, like a lack of trust or psychological safety, a toxic workplace is where harmful behaviour is allowed to persist. The damage caused by toxic environments is often severe and long-lasting.
In this column, I'll delve into the realities of toxic workplaces and provide practical advice for individuals looking to protect themselves from harm. Some of my opinions have been shaped by a wonderful interview that I conducted with author Liane Davey in 2022. You can catch that entire episode over here on YouTube.
Let's begin with a real-world illustration of toxic workplaces.
The Clueless Toxic Leader
Once upon a time, I worked with a client who was an executive at a renowned company. They were a highly successful and respected leader, but as I got to know them better, I observed a different side of them. They could be quite abusive towards team members despite their public image. As bullying bosses, they would publicly demean and degrade team members, lashing out at anyone who challenged their authority. As soon as I began working with this team, I realized how the toxic environment contributed to low engagement, decreased productivity, and high levels of absenteeism.
When I called out the team's feedback to the leader, they denied leading in such a manner. Worse? They felt their leadership style was inclusive and entirely collaborative.
This example shows how subtle toxic workplaces can be and how hard it can be to spot the warning signs. Also, the effects of these kinds of environments can be wide-ranging and deep, affecting not only individuals but also teams and the whole organization.
Trust, Support & Psychological Safety
Lack of trust is one of the primary characteristics of a toxic workplace. When team members lack trust in their managers or coworkers, they are less likely to feel safe and supported at work, leading to increased levels of anxiety and stress and decreased morale.
Another characteristic of a toxic workplace is the absence of leadership support. Employees can become disengaged and unmotivated if they do not believe their contributions are valued or have the resources necessary to perform their jobs effectively. In addition, this lack of support can contribute to feelings of alienation and a lack of team camaraderie.
A lack of psychological safety is also common in toxic workplaces, famously researched by Harvard Business Professor Amy Edmondson. When employees don't feel they can be themselves at work, express their opinions, or speak up without fear of retribution, they are less likely to be fully engaged and invested in their work. This can result in decreased creativity and problem-solving abilities and an increased risk of burnout.
The harm of a toxic workplace extends beyond individuals to teams and the entire organization. When individuals don't trust one another or feel unsupported, they are less likely to work effectively as a team, leading to poor communication and an inability to collaborate and problem-solve. As a result, new ideas, improved processes, or innovative suggestions go by the wayside rather quickly.
What To Do?
So, what can individuals do to protect themselves from the harm of a toxic workplace? Here are a few key strategies to consider:
- Seek out supportive relationships. It is essential to cultivate a network of supportive individuals inside and outside the workplace. This can include coworkers, friends, family, and even a coach or mentor. Supportive individuals can assist you in navigating the challenges of a toxic work environment.
- Set boundaries. Establishing boundaries with coworkers and supervisors who engage in negative or harmful behaviour is crucial. This could involve declining invitations to gossip sessions or avoiding toxic or harmful conversations.
- Document incidents. If you encounter hurtful behaviour in the workplace, it is essential to document it. Keeping a record of incidents can be useful if you need to escalate a problem to HR or take legal action.
- Speak up. Consider speaking up if you observe destructive behaviour in the workplace and addressing the issue. This can be difficult, but it is an essential step.
Leaders should be highly concerned about a toxic workplace because of its damaging impact on their organization. A toxic work environment can have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences that can ultimately undermine the organization's success.
Legal Liabilities
Furthermore, toxic workplaces can also lead to legal liabilities, as employees may sue the organization for harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.
Ellen Pao, a former partner at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, is an example of someone who has sued their employer for a toxic work environment. In 2012, Pao filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging discrimination and harassment based on gender. She claimed that she was passed over for promotions and harassed by coworkers. She also claimed that the company had a culture of gender bias. The lawsuit brought attention to the problem of toxic workplaces and the difficulties women face in male-dominated industries. Despite losing the lawsuit, Pao's case sparked a national dialogue in the U.S. about the need for businesses to address toxic work environments and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
In Summary
In conclusion, leaders need to take action to prevent a toxic work environment from taking hold or to deal with it once it has. Leaders who choose to ignore the problem of a toxic work environment do so at their own peril and endanger the organization's future.
If leaders are the root cause of workplace toxicity, they will soon have a special place in hell reserved for them.
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Pre-order my next book, Work-Life Bloom: How to Nurture a Team That Flourishes, publishing in October 2023.
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