Ask an HR Pro: How Do You Fix a Toxic Workplace Culture?

Culture is king in a workplace, and a strong company culture elevates everything from employee satisfaction and retention to productivity, innovation, and revenue generation. On the flip side, workplace toxicity significantly hinders all of those things.

Some signs of a toxic workplace are obvious, but others are subtle and difficult to spot and address before it’s too late. According to iHire’s 2023 Talent Retention Report, 35.7% of employee respondents left their last job voluntarily because of a toxic or negative work environment – the #1 reason cited.

We sat down with Chrisanne Bowden, iHire’s Senior HR Consultant, to discuss actionable strategies for identifying and fixing a toxic workplace culture.

What Is a Toxic Workplace?

“Workplace toxicity manifests as a negative, harmful environment that hurts employees’ wellbeing, productivity, and morale,” explained Bowden. “The signs of a toxic workplace include a range of behaviors and dynamics, from bullying and lack of respect to micromanagement and poor communication, which collectively create a stressful and unproductive setting.”

The roots of a toxic workplace culture can also stem from anywhere, particularly leadership if there is distrust or animosity among managers and employees.

How to Fix a Toxic Workplace Culture

Turning a toxic culture around isn’t easy, but it’s possible if you proactively focus on the most critical areas of your company.

“Start with fostering open communication,” Bowden advised. “Encouraging dialogue between all levels of the organization, and ensure your leaders are exemplifying respectful behavior and setting a positive example while requesting and receiving feedback themselves.”

Creating multiple channels for feedback, such as suggestion boxes or anonymous surveys, can significantly contribute to building a culture of trust and understanding.

“You should also consider offering training programs on soft skills like communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork,” added Bowden. “These skills will not only benefit your staff on a personal level and help develop their careers but also contribute to your organization’s culture.”

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of recognition.

“Recognition is a proven tool for boosting morale and promoting a culture of positivity, and often the most effective forms of recognition are low-cost or free,” said Bowden. “By acknowledging and rewarding positive behavior, you can motivate employees to continue such behaviors and contribute to a healthier work environment.”

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When Should You Fire a Toxic Employee?

Let’s say you’ve identified the source of your toxic work culture as an individual employee or set of employees. Should you fire them?

“If an employee is exhibiting behaviors that consistently undermine your work environment and negatively impact the team and organization as a whole, termination may be necessary,” advised Bowden. “Disruptive behavior, bullying, poor performance, and disregard for company policies are all indicators that it might be time to consider parting ways.”

Before deciding to terminate a toxic employee – or any team member – be sure to follow appropriate procedures, such as conducting a thorough investigation and implementing a performance improvement plan as a last resort.

With Bowden’s insights, you can create a multifaceted approach to combatting workplace toxicity in your organization. Through proactive measures such as promoting open communication, fostering teamwork, and recognizing positive behavior, you’ll cultivate a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Explore our Resource Center for more guidance on creating a standout culture and elevating your employer brand.