How to manage toxic people at work

How to know if you have a toxic partner

There are a number of behaviours that are out of the norm. These cloud the working environment. They make it increasingly unbreathable. An employee is toxic at work when:

• Doubts the ability of his companions.
• Always speak in the negative.
• It generates conflict.
• It does not own up to its mistakes.
• It does not cooperate.
• He is constantly changing moods.
• He is passive and sometimes does not finish his work.
• He doesn't talk about his private life and knows everything about everyone else.

A toxic partner can make you feel: * Unsure of yourself * Worthless * Manipulated * Used * Controlled * Drained * Like you can't do anything right * Like you're walking on eggshells * Isolated from friends and family * Bad about yourself * Like you're responsible for their feelings or actions * Constantly anxious or on edge * Unloved or unappreciated

When there is a toxic or negative person in a work team, productivity falls. Morale in the team is dropping. Furthermore, colleagues feel uncomfortable with his/her presence, as they are always being questioned. When it's time to leave work, It's common for colleagues of a toxic person to end up angry or exhausted..

Having dealt with them, you feel sad or guilty for some reason. It is normal to feel vulnerable and insecure and to wonder if you are good at your job or not. In the most extreme cases, one may even suffer from anxiety. In dealing with the client, the employee is abrupt, impertinent and, in many cases, inappropriate.

How to manage toxic people at work

How to deal with a toxic person at work, if they are your colleagueor

It may be that you have a colleague who is good at what they do, but spoils the good working atmosphere. If their attitude is constant, it is best to follow these steps:

1. Do not ignore the problem

The more you ignore toxic behaviour, the more it will grow. If the colleague brings valuable things to the company, you should try to resolve it. In these cases, tackling the problem quickly is essential. Informing your colleagues, your boss or manager is the first step. Setting boundaries is also important. If their behaviour affects your work, communicate your values and priorities to them. Communication is key.

2. Be assertive

We must make the other person see how we feel about the things they do. They need to see that their attitude has negative consequences and that these affect their colleagues. If the colleague sees that their behaviour is causing harm or making it difficult for others to work, they might take a different stance.

3. Don't let it get to you

You must believe in yourself. As stated before, toxic colleagues tend to devalue their colleagues. Be in control of your emotions. Keep your self-esteem strong. To do this, you need to be positive.

4. Be clear about your objectives

The common good and your work objectives are the most important things. Helping your colleagues and committing to your duties will help you to be more focused.

5. Take breaks and disconnect

Take a break from work without that toxic person. Sharing a coffee with other colleagues or getting some fresh air are good plans. When it's time to leave work, remember that physical exercise is beneficial. Socialising with other people outside of work also helps you disconnect.

If your colleague's negative attitude persists, remember that your principles and values are not negotiable. Keeping calm and not letting your attitude influence you is the best advice..

How to manage toxic people: tips for managers

The first thing to bear in mind is that even good people can fall into bad habits. They have good intentions, but if, when they break trust or act negatively, they get what they want, then they repeat the behaviour. Over time, someone who should be a good worker becomes a toxic person.

As a leader, It is convenient to know when to intervene and how to manage toxic people. Some recommendations you can apply as soon as today if you find yourself in this situation are:

1. Trust your instincts. A united, functioning team requires a foundation of trust. As a manager, you need to be able to trust that employees will operate with maximum efficiency. If someone raises the alarm, but you can't understand why, do some research. As well as trusting your instinct and what you've learned through experience, you can observe how the rest of the team interacts with the supposedly toxic worker. You can also ask other managers for their opinions.
2. Define the limits. Many toxic people continue with their behaviour because they lack context. Setting boundaries with employees is a way to prevent these types of misunderstandings that end in conflict.
3. Documents behaviour. Toxic behaviours rarely manifest as huge outbursts. They are usually small transgressions that build up over time, which is why it's a good idea to document them. HR would need this information to justify disciplinary action, should it need to be taken.
4. Reinforces corporate culture. Update policies to reflect new expectations. Reward camaraderie and trust. Value employees and let them know how important they are to the organisation. You can use the Flexible remuneration to show them how much you care and keep them motivated.

Solutions like Ticket Restaurant or Ticket Nursery help you achieve your goals and reduce workplace conflict. Why focus on finding ways to manage toxic people at work when you can find a way to stop them appearing in the first place?

Pay attention to positive individuals within your team who want to improve, support them and show them that their values and the company's values are aligned. If you want good advice, opt for flexibility.