Addressing the Psychological Consequences of Toxic Behavior in the Workplace

Mrittwika Dutta Gupta -

Toxic behavior has unfortunately been an increasing issue in the workplace. Experiencing a toxic work culture can be traumatic and force employees to exit companies. As soon as management gets reports of toxic behavior, it should be addressed immediately.

Employees look to their leaders and HR to ensure the workplace is a safe space. Hence, if toxic behavior exists under their supervision, it can be called neglect on their part. Leaders and HRs should actively work to create a safe space for employees, this includes getting rid of toxic components of the workplace.

Let us understand the importance of leadership accountability.

The Importance of Leadership Accountability

Workplace toxicity can be perpetrated by anyone in the workplace. Everyone should be on the lookout for such toxic behavior. This kind of behavior should be encouraged to report to management or HR as soon as possible. This will ensure that appropriate action is taken against the perpetrator to make the environment safe and comfortable for everyone.

However, to encourage employees to report such toxic behavior, it is important to hold the perpetrators of toxic behavior accountable. Oftentimes upper management is thought to not take the right actions within the right time, which can deter many from reporting behavior. Victims when reporting the behavior expect safety and protection from leaders. Instead, if no action is taken and the perpetrator gets to know of the report, the victim can be subject to heavier hazing.

Furthermore, with no accountability perpetrators will be led to believe that there are no consequences for their actions. This will enable them to continue their toxic behavior and go to even lengthier measures which is extremely harmful for the workplace. Hence, addressing this issue early on is necessary. Leaders should actively speak against toxic work culture and behavior and hold perpetrators accountable as soon as reports of such behavior are received.

Psychological Consequences of Toxic Workplace Behavior

There are various consequences of toxic workplace behavior for the victim and everyone else in the workplace. Long exposure to such circumstances can cause severe mental health issues, among others. To understand why a company should avoid workplace behavior let us take a look at some of the psychological consequences:

  • Stress: Being present in an environment that enables toxic behavior can be extremely stressful for any employee. Witnessing toxic culture being imposed on colleagues can be traumatizing. Employees will begin to be more anxious and stressed out when working in such high-stakes conditions.
  • Decrease in Productivity: Being in a toxic workplace can put employees on alert mode at all times. This can drain a lot of the energy from the employees and make them focus more on surviving. This can cause burnout and distractions can decrease productivity and efficiency heavily in the workplace. 
  • Mental Health: Experiencing or witnessing such violent acts can be traumatizing to witnesses around it as much as it is to the victim. Being exposed to such events can cause a steep decline in one’s mental health. Remove toxicity in the workplace as immediately as possible to ensure a safe space for everyone.

Strategies for HR Leaders to Enforce Accountability

There are strategies HR leaders can follow to enforce accountability. Practicing these strategies regularly will ensure a toxic-free workplace environment. Let us take a look at the various strategies:

  • Identify Toxic Behavior: When there are certain people that other employees seem to be wary of, keep an eye on this person. It may be that this person is toxic around the other employees. Ask for feedback on colleagues from employees regularly to receive any reports of misbehavior.
  • Implement Clear Policies: Clearly state the policies of acceptable behavior and conduct within the workplace. Outline the consequences of violations as that indicates clear intentions of holding perpetrators accountable.
  • Training and development: Implement training programs for employees and those in leadership positions to promote a culture of positive behavior and accountability. Training employees and leaders to respond to and report toxic situations is as important as holding the perpetrators accountable.
  • Regular Assessments: Regularly collect anonymous feedback from each employee on colleagues and managers to scan for any toxic behavior. Pushing work boundaries, making a derogatory comment about one’s background, or blackmail can be forms of toxic behavior as well.

The Role of HR in Supporting Employees

HR professionals play an impactful role in supporting an employee’s work life. The employees affected by toxic behavior can benefit greatly from the support of HR professionals. Let us take a look at what HR can do to support:

  • Create a Safe Space to Report: Ensure employees are not afraid to report toxic behavior in the workplace. Streamlining communication channels can also ensure more people can access the right to report toxic behavior.
  • Build Trust: Hold team building exercises once a month to ensure minimum toxic behavior in the workplace. Setting aside a budget to hold a monthly experience for the employees- it could be some fun activity like painting or cooking, or it could even be a simple pizza party.
  • Access to Resources: Providing access to mental health resources is crucial to support the victims after experiencing toxic behavior. Many mental health apps are catered to employee mental health needs.

Toxic behavior can be extremely damaging to workplace morale, productivity, and trust. Identifying the patterns and holding perpetrators accountable immediately can ensure to reinforce the values of the workplace. This will reassure employees that the workplace is a safe place and that the company values them. HR professionals have a huge responsibility to play to ensure safety and security in the workplace for the employees. This power should be used to ensure these are safe in the workplace.

FAQs

What are the psychological effects of toxic workplace behavior?A1: Toxic behavior can lead to stress, anxiety, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction among employees.

How can HR leaders enforce leadership accountability?A2: HR leaders can enforce accountability by implementing clear policies, providing training, and encouraging open communication.

What role does leadership play in addressing toxic workplace behavior?A3: Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for workplace culture and must take responsibility for preventing and addressing toxic behavior.

Why is it important to address toxic behavior in the workplace?A4: Addressing toxic behavior is vital for protecting employee mental health and maintaining a positive, productive work environment.