A guide to surviving and thriving in a toxic work environment

Got the Monday blues? Your workplace culture could be affecting you more than you think. Here’s a guide to recognising undesirable behaviours at work and strategies for positive change

No one wants to work in a toxic environment. Realising you’re in a toxic workplace is just as soul-crushing as finding yourself in a relationship with a toxic partner.

A toxic work culture has major implications for the business itself, as well as on its employees. Cultures like that can cause people to coast and be distracted, increase absenteeism, presenteeism and employee turnover, and make it hard to recruit. They can also cause unethical behaviour to spread from the top and become the norm.

David Emerald, author of The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) and leadership expert, said, “At a minimum, workplace drama causes inefficiency, frustration and waste. The personal cost to those who work in organisations is immeasurable.”

Toxic workplaces by the numbers

Having a negative workplace culture can be costly in more ways than one. 50 percent of millennials and Gen Zs reported that they won’t tolerate a company that ignores mental health. The cost of replacing a staff member who leaves can range from 33 percent to about 200 percent of their annual salary.

According to an oft-quoted 2019 report from the Society for Human Resource Management, US businesses lost over $223 billion in the previous five years as a result of bad workplace culture.

Fortunately, research has shown that 95 percent of toxic individuals can be coached to change their ways. This is provided the company is open to identifying the problem and responding to it immediately.

So, how can businesses stay vigilant, and better yet, how can an individual take control of the situation and foster a thriving work environment?

Above Telltale signs of a toxic workplace include high turnover rates or a culture that dismisses work-life balance (Photo: Getty Images)

Spotting the red flags

To understand what makes a culture toxic, MIT Sloan analysed employees’ reviews on Glassdoor and grouped similar elements into broad groups they termed the “Toxic Five”. The most common attributes of a toxic culture: it’s disrespectful, non-inclusive, unethical, cutthroat and abusive.

Other signs to watch out for include excessive micromanagement, repercussions for speaking up, harassment, bullying, excessive gossip, lack of transparency in decision-making and persistent conflicts without resolution. Additionally, a problem in many organisations is a culture of indulging bad behaviour if it’s accompanied by high performance in other areas, ignoring the systemic damage it causes. Research found that these “toxic rock stars” particularly impact women of colour but ruin the workplace for everyone.

While no industry is exempt from a toxic work environment, fitness, automotive and F&B are the sectors where such environments are most likely to be found.

The ultimate example of where a toxic workplace culture can lead an organisation is the tale of Theranos. Former employees at the healthcare blood-testing startup testified in court about a work culture of fear, intimidation, isolation and secrecy.

Founded by Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos claimed revolutionary technology that could analyse multiple health indicators using a small amount of blood, but investigations revealed significant issues with their core technology’s accuracy and reliability. The court eventually found that Holmes had misled investors, medical professionals and the public about the capabilities of its product.

Above Cultivating a positive work environment starts with open communication and a commitment to mutual respect among colleagues (Photo: Getty Images)

Tackling a toxic workplace

So, what does being happy and engaged at work look like? One of the prerequisites for a healthy culture is a feeling of psychological safety, in which people feel free to speak their minds without fear of punishment or humiliation.

By encouraging employees to speak up, companies can leverage the strengths of all their employees, while at the same time fostering stronger collaboration and greater innovation. A positive workplace typically starts at the top; it is up to leaders and managers to create a psychologically safe environment for staff. Some ways they can do this is by being empathetic, encouraging open discussion, leading by example, giving credit and treating people equally.

Someone in a toxic situation can assess their options: whether it’s discussing concerns with management or supportive colleagues, seeking a transfer within the company, or considering opportunities elsewhere. Taking proactive steps toward change is pivotal for one’s well-being and professional growth.

While creating a culture of positivity is not an overnight endeavour, by identifying toxic behaviours and taking actionable steps to promote a safer and more inclusive environment, businesses and leaders can foster employee well-being, improve retention rates and ultimately achieve greater success in their operations.

This article was adapted from our weekly newsletter The Deep Dive. Read the full edition on How to deal with a toxic workplace. Subscribe to The Deep Dive here.

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Topics

Mental Health Mental Wellness Health Wellbeing Leadership Toxic Workplace Management Deep Dive

Tatler Asia

Detox your grind: How to survive and thrive in a toxic workplace

Toxic workplaces by the numbers

Spotting the red flags

Tackling a toxic workplace