A toxic workplace is one in which there are constantly warring groups, conflict is a regular thing, and high tension also leads to increased decibels. Toxic behaviors are those of people who tend to exclude a team member and demonstrate different behaviors, often disrespectful, toward him or her. These people are sometimes unaware that they are harming others, so it is recommended that they be made aware of this at every opportunity. If there is no change, then serious clashes and misunderstandings ensue. Navigating them is a difficult but not impossible task.
Avoiding conflict
It is the job of good managers to resolve conflicts between colleagues and create the conditions in which they can be clarified before the animosity grows too large. Otherwise, the workplace becomes increasingly toxic for those involved in the dispute, and the only solution left after a while is for one of them to leave the company.
As far as possible, it is better to avoid conflicts in the workplace. If the person with toxic behavior is not one with whom daily contact is necessary, then he or she can be avoided. If not, a good approach is to keep interactions with the toxic co-worker calm and with minimal tension.
High voltage
Experts such as Professor Conson Locke, Professor of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science, advise identifying allies in the workplace to assist in a situation. For example, for women working in male-dominated industries, they often observe ‘mansplaining‘ – having something explained to a person familiar with the subject in detail. For such moments, it is good for women to have advocates to support them when they are interrupted during a meeting.
After a situation where a person has encountered toxic behavior and like a spiral the incident goes over and over in his/her head, writing helps. Describing what happened in a notebook helps the thoughts “pour out” onto the page and so the tension is taken off. This exercise should be done in private, and what is written should remain for personal archives only.
If the situation has become so heated that it is affecting one’s mental health, then it is certainly time for a change of workplace. To avoid getting into a similar situation again, when interviewing with a new employer, there are ways to find out more about the company’s culture. A candidate can learn a lot about an employer from the treatment they receive during the recruitment process, as well as by asking questions during the interview.
