Working in IT requires a high level of stress tolerance. Every year brings more reports about toxic work environments. The toxicity in the workplace, meanwhile, affects the mental health and performance of employees, therefore, affecting the revenues.
According to the Comparably portal, over 60% of IT company employees experience stress. Another 25% believe their work is difficult and requires them to be constantly available and within reach.
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Toxicity Around Us
How does personal toxicity differ from toxic company culture?
- A toxic person uses an aggressive or dominant style of communication. Additionally, they make unfair conclusions and criticize without proper arguments.
- A toxic company culture is a system of negative values and practices topped off with unhealthy work ethics. It contributes to the spread of workplace stereotypes and discrimination, leading to conflicts and deteriorating collective trust and cooperation.
Red Flags of Toxic Work Environment
How can you tell if you’ve landed a job in a toxic company? We have bad news for you if you hear these 5 phrases in the office or during calls.
“You don’t like it? Then go and find another job.”
This approach leads to uncontrolled turnover of new employees instead of civilized dispute resolution.
Management resolves conflicts in one way – by silencing dissatisfied employees. Sarcastic and threatening “Maybe you should find another company?” is a sign of tyranny in the workplace.
“We don’t need any changes”
In toxic companies, processes often go unchanged year after year. And when an employee suggests optimization, they are quickly put in their place.
“Who did this? How could someone be so incompetent…”
Managers can forget about productivity if they spend their time blaming people. If a team seems to bully an employee appropriately, it is a clear sign of unprofessional behavior. It shows immatureness and an inability to provide constructive feedback.
“I have been here for a long time, I know better / You don’t know how to let me do it”
Every company has internal authority, and having formal and informal leaders in a team is a good thing. But, it can become toxic when leaders insist that instead of sharing knowledge, they are the only ones who know how to do things. At the same time, the toxic authority may not even realize how insensitive they are.
“Here we go…”
Employees whisper this in toxic companies as management arrives at the office. Subordinates in these teams must assess the boss’s mood; if it’s not good, they brace for the worst.
How and when does toxicity manifest?
Toxicity can manifest in various forms and in different situations in the workplace. Here are examples of the most common situations.
One-on-one interactions
It happens that two people work together while having problems in communication. This can lead to conflicts, disagreements, hostility, and other toxic behavior.
Teamwork
Team members can consider themselves superior to others and not involve them in the decision-making process. Here the problem stems from faulty recruitment — you must consider different styles and work approach when putting a team together.
Team meetings
When the team has toxic colleagues, the morning planner or scrum meeting becomes hell. The negativity of these people can affect the entire team, reducing productivity and job satisfaction.
Toxic leadership
Traits of toxic management are excessive control, sarcastic comments, disregard, a system of fines instead of motivation, unrealistic expectations, and a lack of support for employees in difficult situations.
Handling toxic behavior can be a difficult task. But it is necessary to ensure a healthy work environment and maintain productivity. Employees and managers should understand the consequences of toxic behavior and try to avoid it.
How to deal with toxicity at work?
It’s best to prevent toxicity in the workplace altogether. But if it’s already there, take these steps to address it:
Maintain emotional distance, and practice indifference.
Choose a neutral demeanor when interacting with those who are toxic. Avoid eye contact, look out the window or elsewhere, yawn, and nod your head.
Do not argue
Toxic people are skilled in inciting arguments and scandals. Don’t fall for it. Try to control your emotions. If you pick up an argument, the opponent will not shy away but likely come out as the winner.
Change your tactics
If you’re facing a difficult conversation with a toxic person, plan what and how you will say. Take the initiative, lead the conversation, and question everything. Bring the person back to reality.
Neutralize the opponent
When you listen to a toxic person’s complaints, try to ask them a simple question. “How and when do you plan to solve this problem?” Most likely, they will either change the subject, fall silent or turn the question back on you. Their main goal is to complain, not to solve the problem.
Learn to defend your boundaries
All toxic people are excellent manipulators. They know exactly the way to trigger you to get what they want. Make it clear that it won’t work for you.
Filter what you share about yourself
The less toxic colleagues know about your secrets or pains, the less they can manipulate you.
Speak up in communication
Don’t pretend that insults or moral pressure are normal. Speak openly that this type of interaction is unacceptable for you.
Don’t take it to heart
Don’t take the insulting words of a toxic person to heart. Sometimes they don’t understand what they are saying. It can be hard to overcome emotions, but remember — it’s not your problem. You don’t have to apologize, worry, or explain.
Note that not all of these tips can apply to you. Flexibility and adapting your behavior to the specific situation is essential.
In bigger companies, where it’s harder to control employees in different departments, anti-toxicity practices must be established on a corporate level. Read more about it below.
Preventing Toxicity in Medium Businesses and IT Giants
A report by Harvard Business Review states that large companies have a higher risk of developing a toxic culture. Their greater complexity and hierarchy increase the distance between management and teams.
Ways for companies to fight toxicity:
- Conducting training and seminars for employees. The point is to improve communication and interaction within the team
- Using an anonymous feedback system. Employees should be able to send their feedback to management
- Establishing protocols for positive work ethics in the company.
- An ethical code for employees
- Conflict resolution protocol
- Grievance procedures
- Regular check-ups on the level of toxicity in the company
To do all the above, companies usually create special HR departments. These track toxicity in the company and take measures to prevent it, develop and implement policies, conduct training and seminars, and collect and analyze data on the level of toxicity in the company.
For example, Google has created the “Re: Work ” program, which aims to improve the company’s collaboration culture. It executes all the functions described above.
Taking these steps is an essential component of establishing a healthy work atmosphere. By implementing these recommendations, you can increase employee satisfaction and overall company efficiency.
Bonus: A Real Story from a Developer
“I worked at a company where cameras, mics, and speakers were installed all over the place, even in the kitchen. If you spent two extra minutes at lunch, the owner’s wife would scream at you via speakers. And the cherry on top? This lady would get her manicure and pedicure done in the office and, afterward, ask employees to empty the bucket she used to soak her feet in.”
Wrap-up
Working in the IT industry can be tough and stressful as is, but toxicity can make it impossible to bear. Humiliating behavior should never be accepted as the norm. We must be aware of our tone when interacting with colleagues and remember the importance of emotional and psychological well-being in the workplace.
If you face toxicity in the workplace, do not hesitate to seek support from management. Remember that unnecessary negative emotions can seriously impact your work and health. So it is important to take action and strive to improve your company’s culture.
Remember, you are important, and you are worthy. No joke or devaluation should ever affect your life.
