Deteriorating company cultures are detrimental to your business, and it may often be more convenient to pretend that it is not an issue, push it aside, and hope for the problems on your team to resolve on their own. In my experience, this approach yields one result – poor company performance and burnt-out management.
We already know that engaged employees drive positive results when it comes to business performance – in fact, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report, engaged employees are 17% more productive and have 21% higher profitability compared to disengaged employees. It is also no secret that employee engagement will directly impact your ability to attract top talent. A Glassdoor survey found that 77% of job seekers consider a company's culture before applying for a job, and 56% of employees say that a company's culture is more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction.
So, what exactly is a toxic environment and what contributes to it?
There are several elements that can contribute to a toxic work environment, including:
1. Lack of support: When employees don't feel supported by their managers or colleagues, it can lead to feelings of isolation, stress, and low morale.
2. Poor communication: When communication between coworkers or between management and employees is lacking or ineffective, it can cause misunderstandings, conflicts, and a lack of trust.
3. High levels of stress: When employees are consistently overworked, underpaid, or subject to unrealistic deadlines, it can lead to high levels of stress and burnout.
4. Lack of respect: When employees feel disrespected or belittled by their colleagues or superiors, it can lead to a toxic work environment where people feel undervalued and unappreciated.
5. Bullying or harassment: When employees are subjected to bullying or harassment by their colleagues or superiors, it can create a toxic and unsafe work environment.
6. Discrimination: Discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, or other factors can create a hostile work environment and lead to feelings of exclusion and resentment.
7. Lack of growth opportunities: When employees feel like they have no opportunities for growth or advancement, they may feel stuck in their job and unmotivated, leading to low morale and high turnover.
In my experience, most often, a toxic environment is created when these elements go unchecked, and there is a lack of accountability on the team, specifically when it comes to unprofessional behaviors and microaggressions.
Unprofessional behavior in the workplace can refer to any actions or behaviors that violate accepted standards of professionalism, which can include lack of punctuality or attendance, poor communication such as inappropriate language, speaking disrespectfully, unprofessional dress or appearance such as wearing revealing clothing. More extreme actions can appear as engaging in behavior that is offensive, discriminatory or creates a hostile environment. These actions can have negative impacts on the workplace, including reducing productivity and decreasing morale – as well as legal issues if the behavior violates company policies.
Most often, these issues show up in the workplace as gossip and incivility before they develop into a larger problem.
Gossip in the workplace refers to spreading rumors, speculations, or personal information about coworkers or the company that may be untrue or harmful. Gossip is often responsible for creating a toxic work environment, eroding trust and morale among coworkers, and even leading to legal issues if confidential information is shared. In addition to these negative impacts, gossip has the ability to morph into a form of harassment or discrimination.
It is crucial for employers to have a comprehensive understanding of their work environment. This goes beyond simply being aware of the situation and involves taking proactive steps to identify potential issues through anonymous engagement surveys and one-on-one sessions. A Consultant can be beneficial in this process, acting as an independent body, ensuring confidentiality and structure to make the team feel comfortable and maintain integrity in the process.
In addition, employers should be proactive in fostering a safe and positive work environment by actively engaging with their staff, holding them accountable for any instances of poor behavior, and implementing policies that establish clear guidelines for appropriate behaviors and boundaries in the workplace.
It is paramount to recognize that the direction of what is considered appropriate or inappropriate in the workplace is set by leadership. As leaders, it is crucial to set a positive example and hold team members accountable when they do not follow that example. Otherwise, the policies, structure, and processes that have been established will lose their relevance.
To conclude, if you're interested in learning more about how we can support your team's engagement and drive your business forward, don't hesitate to reach out for further information. We are here to help and provide valuable insights to empower your team and ensure your organization's success. Contact us today to take the first step towards creating a thriving and motivated workforce.
Comments