Toxic workplace? Try compassion - it's detoxifying...
You may have had the unfortunate experience of working in what could be described as a toxic working environment. I hope that is no longer the case, because the impact a toxic working environment can have on us is significant. It may be the case that not everyone within the same workplace will experience it in the same way. One person’s experience of the workplace is not necessarily everyone else’s - however, for those people that have a lived experience of being on the end of any bullying, rudeness, disrespect, gossiping, rumours, breaches of confidentiality, manipulation, abuse, discrimination, and hostility: the legacy of that pain and distress can be significant, damaging and ongoing and it leads to people suffering.
Let us be clear, it is not acceptable for that to be anyone’s experience of the workplace. It is not acceptable for it to be unseen, tolerated, ignored or perpetuated. It is bad for people and bad for business. The stress caused by a toxic working environment leads to people experiencing poor mental and physical health, burnout, fatigue, reduced levels of confidence and self-esteem, along with increased turnover and reduced absenteeism. How are people meant to perform at their best and to remain engaged, positive, optimistic, committed, collaborative, well and loyal when that is what they are experiencing? If nothing is done to improve the situation promptly, the chances are that they will be heading for the door as soon as they can.
Toxic employees and a toxic working environment damage the organisation and everyone in it, and then the bottom line takes the hit.
A Harvard Business School* study identified that a single toxic employee can cost a company more that $12,000.
The study also found that employees who were toxic alienated their co-workers and team members:
80% of employees lost worktime due to worrying about the offending employee’s rudeness.
78% said their commitment to the organisation declined in the face of toxic behaviour.
66% said their performance had declined.
63% lost worktime due to avoiding the offender.
The same study also highlighted that the costs of workplace incivility - rude, impolite, offensive comments - can run into millions.
Imagine adding other characteristics of workplace toxicity into the mix, alongside incivility, such as discrimination and bullying, and you have a potentially lethal cocktail which, to extend the metaphor, we might be expecting or even insisting our employees drink as well as leaving them to cope with the hangover.
Leaders need to add and mix the ingredients for an altogether tastier and healthier drink. A detox smoothie perhaps, featuring a large double measure of compassion.
Extract from Steve’s book ‘‘The Compassionate Leader’s Playbook’ - Get The Book — The Compassionate Leadership Company
*https://www.inc.com/marissa-levin/harvard-research-proves-toxic-employees-destroy-your-culture-your-bottom-line.html