How Do You Fix a Toxic Work Environment?

We all know it: with work, comes stress. Surveys from the American Psychological Association discovered that money and work are the top two causes of significant stress for adults.

Sadly, we can't always notice right away when our employees start harbouring negative feelings. We have to know what toxicity looks like in its initial stages.

If you wish to create a positive environment for your employees and the workplace, these tips can help:

1. Instead of complaining, focus on finding solutions

Nothing is more toxic and infectious than employees complaining. Whether it be bad-mouthing colleagues, executives or dress code policies, complaints reveal a mentality of defeat rather than feeling empowered by the company culture.

What you need to hear are solutions. When employees believe they can solve any problem, they take action to mitigate issues rather than complaining. Positive growth will happen when your employees focus on what is going well and what can be improved.

2. Get more input from employees

When the managers don't ask for input, their direct reports will think they are not valued, which leads to decreased productivity and contribution.

We need to show our employees that their opinions are valued; this way they will feel more fulfilled and offer their best work. Your employees are your greatest asset. Don't let it go to waste.

If the company is full of employees who badmouth each other, it will be very difficult for the company to grow.

3. Promote responsibility

When your employees aren't doing their jobs, they leave other members to pick up the pieces. It sends a clear message of disrespect to colleagues and the company as a whole.

Do not let laziness slide. Be proactive and try these tips to promote responsibility in the workplace. If you're taking steps to improve the culture but are still seeing negative behaviour in an employee, you can take more extreme actions such as a warning letter. If that still does not work, then you need to be ready to dismiss them.

If that is the case, you need to be ready to hire a new employee. Fill the open position with the best candidate as quickly and efficiently as possible.

4. Foster positive relationships among employees

A crucial ingredient of a toxic culture is the hostility between employees. You should not expect your employees to be best friends. But you should expect them to carry out their responsibilities and courteously collaborate with colleagues and customers. You can start by holding fun and unique team building activities.

5. Create a company culture and live by it

A crucial element to any company's success comes from highlight its purpose and vision. Though most organisations have mission statements, many have not taken the one step further to set the values of the company's culture.

For instance, when the company Zappos was in its early stages, the employees came together to define their core values. From here, they formed their culture, brand, and business strategies, which was successful. With values such as "create fun and a little weirdness," the input from Zappos' employees was the backbone for a positive workplace environment.

You need employees who can learn to work together.

6. Coach the problem employees

Probably every office has at least one employee that the whole company see as "the problem." It doesn't come from a mentality of blame, but rather from recognising that an employee with a poor work ethic and negative attitude does affect the daily operation and company growth. But what can you do with the employee, other than firing them?

Meet the employee and have an honest talk with them. Provide them with constructive feedback, and they will start to adjust their attitude to the betterment of the organisation. Before resolving to severe disciplinary action, try to mentor the employee. You could inspire a shift in the employee's attitude.

7. Focus on surpassing expectations

Finally, an excellent way to improve employee morale is to concentrate on surpassing expectations for everyone you come across during your workday. Whether it's employee to employee, manager to employee or employee to customer, every interaction should focus on going the extra mile. By doing so, it provides consistent and stimulating interactions for everyone involved. These shared experiences make everyone feel like they are a part of something big.

When you are running a growing professional environment, you'll see that employees are taking ownership of their actions and attitudes. Your team collaborate on projects and offer ideas to solve problems. Your employees take pride in their job and their contributions, which leads to an organisation filled with purpose and meaningful output.

When your employees feel valued, they deliver loyalty, dedication and hard work to your company. These steps become a cyclical impact of upward movement that will launch your company toward improving productivity, positive mindsets and growth in company profits.

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Source: When I Work