ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > April > 28 > Entry
Toxic Bosses, Toxic Workplaces
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TV sitcoms like The Office with Steve Carell reveal some of the negativity and toxicity rampant in today’s workplace.
All organizations are vulnerable to the dysfunctional behaviors that can make a workplace a toxic and unhealthy place for employees.
Job stress in the toxic workplace will create physiologic responses resulting in illness and destroy productivity.
This loss in productivity and employee loyalty is often blamed on the quality of employees available, not the company itself.
Blaming the worker is a cardinal sign of a dysfunctional organization.
As Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford University is quoted in Fast Company. “The problem isn’t that loyalty is dead or that careers are history. The real problem is that so many companies are toxic - and that they get exactly what they deserve”.
As an administrator or leader in an organization, how can you contribute in a positive way to prevention of toxicity?
In their book, Quantum Leadership, Dr. Timothy Porter-O’Grady and Dr. Kathy Malloch discuss toxic organizations and people and identify ten guiding principles for leaders to minimize toxic behavior in organizations. These include:
Know thyself - know your work values, your outlook on life and the meaning of work ethics and integrity to you.
Walk the talk - act in accord with the values you hold.
Be willing to listen.
Value the truth of the whole - know the power to be gained from understanding both sides of an issue.
Empower employees - mentor employees, ensure they are free to make suggestions, grow, mature and become sensitized to their behaviors and others.
Build relationships on respect.
Act as an agent of transformation - Encourage employees to be self-reliant and to take charge of their careers, not only their current jobs.
Screen job candidates for dysfunction - avoid hiring problem employees.
Expect accountability from employees - accountability is the process of “seeing it, owning it, solving it and doing it”.
Reward value-adding behaviors - employee behaviors that add value to the organization and achieve the mission of the organization.
All too often though, the toxic boss has no self-awareness of their effect on others and because of this can be the most destructive force in a workplace.
Sometimes humor is the only way to cope. To find some humor in this situation, see Toxic Boss or Bad Bossology.
In reality, laughter will only go so far in dealing with a toxic boss.
Other suggestions for dealing with a toxic leader include employee-focused strategies such as achieving balance outside of work, using humor, learning to “manage your manager” or setting boundaries in the workplace.
One of the most effective but riskiest strategies is jumping over your boss to complain to his boss. (This action should be a last resort because of the potential repercussions and subtle retaliation if it doesn’t work.)
The majority of experts end their discussions and lists of suggestions for coping with the reality that leaving a stressful workplace may ultimately be your only choice.
Comments
By KELLYE & TAMIRA
April 28, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
WE WORK IN A AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP- PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST TOXIC PLACES ONE CAN WORK. THE CUT-THROAT ANTICS- THE OWNERS THAT THINK THEY ARE ABOVE OR BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE; THE CLIQUES IN THE OFFICES; THE RIVALARY IN THE SERIVCE DEPARTMENT; AND THOSE WHO WORK THEIR BUTTS OFF AND GET CRAPPED ON AND THOSE WHO COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASE AND GET REWARDED. BEING A GOOD “WORKER BEE” IF YOU WILL GETS YOU NOTHING- NEVER HAS NEVER WILL- BUT BEING LESS THAN APPARENTLY IS WHAT THEY WANT.
By Laurie
May 2, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
Toxic workplaces are the root of most of America’s social ills. Employers expect workers to “leave your personal problems at home.” Fine, but where do employees take their work problems that management/owners refuse to solve? Where else but home. The spouse and kids take the hit emotionally, verbally or physically. When both spouses work in toxic places, neither can be the pressure-release valve for the other. Alcohol, illegal drugs, sleeping pills, antidepressants for adults, Ritalin for kids, food, TV, extramarital sex and credit card shopping become coping strategies which only exacerbate the family problems. No wonder the American family is floundering! Employers cannot wash their hands of the problems they create for employees and wring their hands about deterioriating social conditions.
By Maryann
May 3, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
I say a little pray for you while combing my hair now. In todays workplaces you are just another take a number. We all get problems so get with the program and deal with it. I am the boss don’t you forget it and even if one person is productive and the others are not you are still stuck like a monkey on your back if they don’t have the dexerity and coordination output. there going to be like crabs in the bucket. You are going to drown to so if you only had a miracle. A prayer is the only way out. can be a plus. Satan is on the loose and to bounce, leep and still all souls. So win or lose. Prays do wonders. The only alternative these days and times.
By Sam
May 5, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Concerning toxic workplaces: Management and owners are under enormous amounts of stress. Physical, emotional, and mental stress. These people are the reason you have a job. Just be thankful that you don’t have to be as miserable as they are to make a living. Rich and miserable or unhealthy and Rich are things that cancel one another out. There is one IF; IF the toxic person doesn’t experience heavy stress, take action. Either deal with that person or leave.