Three Signs Your Remote Employee Is Toxic

Usually, when we think of toxic workers, we associate them with the office setting. However, toxic remote workers are a real phenomenon. 

How can we identify a toxic remote employee when we cannot study their behaviours as we do in an office setting? It is not hard if you know where to look. These are the three ways to identify toxic remote employees:

 

1. The employee does not respect your time.

Time is money. Unfortunately, some employees do not find others' time as precious. Their lack of care is a sign of a toxic remote worker.

For instance, you are hosting a video call, everyone except one worker did not show up on time. This person will end up missing crucial information and need a recap later. Worst case scenario? They will delay meeting if their presence is needed. 

Remote workers who do not care about being on time in virtual meetings will waste others' time and affect their productivity. 

Another instance of toxicity is a worker who cannot be bothered to reply to emails on time. 

If one employee refuses to cooperate, it could compromise the whole operation of a company. Hence, they are toxic to the company's health. 

 

2. The remote worker communicates without any hint of professionalism.

Remote workers must communicate promptly and attend virtual meetings on time. Another matter of equal importance is the way they communicate. If they cannot talk positively or neutrally, it could be another sign of a toxic remote worker. 

Beyond the office, it can be easy for an employee to overlook the human element. Therefore, when they are on video calls or reply to emails, they may be rude. 

In an office environment, there are social pressures that ensure most employees function well enough together. However, it does not exist in a remote setting. If a toxic remote worker does not like a colleague and wants to start trouble, they can do so and shut their laptop screen, thus deleting the coworker from their reality. Thus, the immediate consequences of bad behaviour are negated. 

Similarly, if the remote worker seems lazy with their communication and says inappropriate things to colleagues, they are also remotely toxic. 

 

3. The remote worker is lazy.

Even though a remote worker can communicate promptly and communicate positively with their colleagues, there is still room for toxicity, especially when it comes to productivity. 

Toxic workers will find ways to take advantage of the remote work to produce mediocre results, cut corners, and slack off. 

It is a hassle to manage them because they require constant supervision. It is toxic behaviour when a worker uses their remote environment to produce work of mediocre quality, then takes advantage of the environment to avoid criticism that might hold them accountable. 

A remote worker that requires constant supervision can be a hassle for your company. 

Depending on the sector, subpar performance could stem from many factors. For example, a remote worker might be doing their best but are in a bad spot because of circumstances. However, if external pressures are the problem, you will likely see that in everyone instead of just one employee. 

It is also an issue if the remote worker's issues are personal and cannot be resolved quickly, but it is not toxic. 

When there is enough evidence that a worker's productivity is unacceptable due to them abusing the complex nature of holding employees accountable remotely, that is toxic and irresponsible. 

It is unlikely those who fight to work remotely would possess these behaviours, as they earn that right by producing their best work no matter where they work. 

There is a risk of toxicity for some in-office workers who require supervision and are forced into the work-from-home arrangement. 

 

When it comes to identifying toxic remote workers, the key is to examine their mannerisms. For instance, do they have a bad attitude, a tendency to be late to meetings, and have a habit of producing poor results whenever they seem uninterested in their tasks? 

These three signs warn that a worker is a bad fit for either your company, the remote working lifestyle or both. 

 

Source: The Ladders

Click here to Post Job for 30 Days + Get Extra 30 Days >> https://bit.ly/3572wfO.
If you have any questions, please feel free to Whatsapp us at 018 966 6610 / Click Here >> https://bit.ly/3xcII6G

 

Articles that might interest you 
How to Register Your Company for Vaccination Under PIKAS
How to Renew Your SSM Business Registration Online
How to Register for PEMERKASA+'s PSU 3.0