Product Code Database
A “ toxic workplace” is a colloquial metaphor used to describe a place of work, usually an office environment, that is marked by significant personal conflicts between those who work there. A toxic work environment has a negative impact on an organization's productivity and viability. This type of environment can be detrimental to both the effectiveness of the workplace and the well-being of its employees.
Toxic workplaces are created by the actions of toxic employers or employees; that is, individuals who are motivated by personal gain, whether driven by power, money, Celebrity, or special Social status, utilize unethical means or behaviors to psychologically manipulate, belittle, or frustrate those around them, or divert attention away from their personal inadequate performance or misdeeds. Toxic workers do not feel a sense of duty toward their workplace or their Co-worker, especially in regard to ethics or professional conduct toward others. Toxic workers also define relationships with co-workers, not by appropriate organizational structure, but by those who they like/dislike or trust/distrust.Benoit, Suzanne (2011) "Toxic Employees: great companies resolve this problem, you can too!" Falmouth, Maine: BCSPublishing
In 2017 and 2021, nineteen percent of Americans suffered abusive conduct at work, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute.
In 2017, the Workplace Bullying Institute found that 61% of bullies were bosses, a figure which rose to 65% in 2021. A 2022 study by McKinsey & Company concluded that women are 41% more likely to be subjected to a toxic workplace culture and that their risk of burnout is elevated.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found toxic workplace environments are a leading cause of workplace violence such as, “violent acts, including physical assaults and threats of assault, directed toward persons at work or on duty.” Studies on this issue include verbal violence (threats, verbal abuse, hostility, harassment, etc.) can cause significant psychological trauma and stress, even if no physical injury takes place. Verbal assaults and hostility can also escalate to physical violence.
Toxic workplaces negatively impact employee health by undermining social relationships and may reduce life expectancy.
When toxic workers leave the workplace, it can improve the culture overall because the remaining staff becomes more engaged and productive. The process of removing the toxic employee allows the other employees to become more willing to open up and communicate with each other as they learn to help and support one another anew. This is significant for the overall culture of the company. Companies that articulate a strong set of cultural values regarding communication, respect, and professionalism as well as a performance evaluation system that ranks both technical performance and the professional treatment of fellow employees are felt by human resources professionals to be more resilient and stable.SHARP Report, April 2011, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, "Workplace Bullying and Disruptive Behaviour" accessed at: http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/research/files/bullying.pdf
In the United States, the issue of workplace bullying has garnered increasing attention from state governments; as of 2023, thirty-two states have introduced versions of the Healthy Workplace Bill, which defines 'toxic' conduct and outlines support for employers to address the behavior through discipline.The Healthy Workplace Campaign accessed June 14, 2011 at: http://www.healthyworkplacebill.org/
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