How a hostile workplace will force staff to leave

New data revealed a troubling increase in toxic behaviours within the workplace, underscoring the critical need for companies to take immediate action to prevent employees from becoming job seekers.

A recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey found that there’s an urgent need for employers to address toxic behaviours and implement strategies to support a positive workplace culture, ensuring both employee wellbeing and business success.

Rising confrontation and meanness

Three in 10 employed job seekers reported that employees at their company are more confrontational than they were three years ago. This trend is particularly pronounced among male job seekers, with 34 per cent noting increased confrontational behaviour compared to 23 per cent of female job seekers.

Additionally, more than one in five employed job seekers (22 per cent) have observed a rise in employees being mean to others at work over the past year. The report noted that this escalation in toxic behaviours is damaging workplace relationships and undermining overall company culture, prompting many employees to seek new job opportunities.

Company culture and adaptation

The survey highlighted the significance of company culture in addressing toxic behaviours. More than half of job seekers (54 per cent) believe that company culture should adapt to changing times and employee desires rather than expecting employees to conform to the existing culture. This sentiment is stronger among female job seekers (59 per cent) compared to males (49 per cent).

Additionally, 55 per cent of job seekers agree that it is inappropriate for employees to demand the same boundaries from their coworkers that they set with their family and friends.

Nearly three in five (57 per cent) find it difficult to distinguish between a hostile work environment and a clash of coworkers’ personalities in today’s workplace.

Hiring managers’ perspective

Hiring managers also report a troubling increase in toxic behaviours. Half of them have observed more instances of poor employee behaviour being reported now than they did three years ago.

Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) have witnessed toxic traits regularly, with gossiping (39 per cent) being the most common, followed by unprofessional communication (27 per cent), employees avoiding collaboration (24 per cent), micromanaging direct reports (19 per cent), and employees taking credit for another person’s work (19 per cent).

Proactive measures needed

While 84 per cent of employed job seekers say their company implements measures to manage conflicts, more proactive approaches are needed. This includes:

Providing resources on conflict resolution (53 per cent)
Encouraging open communication with supervisors (52 per cent)
Mandating training on appropriate workplace behaviour (36 per cent)
Displaying signs or other materials regarding appropriate workplace behaviours (27 per cent)

Furthermore, 62 per cent of job seekers agree that companies need to have signage to remind people to be nice to one another. This sentiment is stronger among Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X workers (78 per cent, 64 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively) compared to boomer/senior job seekers (44per cent).

“Addressing toxic behaviours in the workplace is crucial for businesses aiming to attract and retain top talent,” Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller said. “A toxic environment not only drives employees away but also tarnishes a company’s reputation, making it more difficult to recruit skilled professionals. By fostering a positive and respectful workplace culture, companies can enhance their appeal to skilled professionals, reduce turnover, and strengthen their overall market position.”

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