Toxic Workers
Every organisation has at least one Toxic Worker, those people who exude negativity. They don’t like their jobs or they don’t like the company. They dislike their bosses and they feel they are always being treated unfairly.
You can’t control how people act all of the time, but you do have control over how you react with them. Calling them to a meeting for an informal chat to discuss their behaviour may be your first port of call in nipping their toxicity in the bud. Be clear about which workplace rules they are breaking and how it affects the workplace as a whole.
However, if the toxic worker is more than just irritating and annoying – they may be abusive, behave inappropriately and unprofessionally. If you think they are bringing the company into disrepute or another employee complains, this is the time to take more formal action.
Some toxic workers operate under the radar of their employers. They may come across positive and outgoing openly with their managers, whilst talking negatively to belittle, criticize and slander those workers they feel they can control and manipulate. They could possibly persuade other co-workers to do their dirty work for them, whilst outwardly they maintain their angelic façade!
What to do?
Don’t allow the issue to become personal. A complaint about inappropriate behaviour in the workplace should not become a long list of every nasty thing the person has ever said or done to you or other employees. You may wish to try mediation first or take any complaints straight to a disciplinary investigation. Keep the disciplinary or mediation concise and professional. There will probably be a backlash, so be ready for it. You might find that others begin to speak out and back up any complaints that have already been made.
Mediation vs Disciplinary
Although tempting, don’t completely block out a toxic workers. You need distance and you need to be frim and set boundaries with them, but this is also a person you need to cooperate with on some level. Let them have their say, it may mean others in the workplace will see how toxic the person really is. No one likes to be shut out or ignored entirely. You don’t want allegations of Harassment or Bullying on your hands because they’re being constantly ignored and undermined.
Make a conscious decision to try and employ people who come across in the interviews as fun, happy and constructive people. More about Recruitment techniques in another blog.
Uplifting people are a great counterbalance to toxicity. You may have to work with existing toxic employees in the workplace, but sometimes you can appeal to their better nature. Other times, sadly, they’re a lost cause in changing their perceptions and behaviour. When that happens Call Metis HR, we can work it out.
Contact Us
If you want further advice on Toxic Workers and Workplace Mediation, call us now on 01706 565332 or email us and we’ll come back to you as soon as we can.
Metis HR is a professional HR Consultancy based in the North West of England supporting clients across the country. We specialise in providing outsourced HR services to small and medium-sized businesses. Call us now on 01706 565332 to discuss how we may help you.
