Working in a toxic environment is not pleasant for anyone. Almost all of us have encountered disrespectful employee throughout our professional lives. Whether it was because they overstepped the bounds of trust or their lack of education, the truth is that they turned the workplace into a place no one wanted to be.
Working in a toxic environment is not pleasant for anyone. Almost all of us have encountered disrespectful employee throughout our professional lives. Whether it was because they overstepped the bounds of trust or their lack of education, the truth is that they turned the workplace into a place no one wanted to be.
If this rings a bell, let us tell you you’re not alone. The productivity and mental health of workers can be greatly affected in toxic environments. That’s why in this blog post we are going to give you the keys to address this situation. Whether you are a manager or a coworker, this interests you:
How Managers Deal with Disrespectful Employee – A 5-Step Guide
Great managers know how to deal with these types of problems. If you lead a team and start to notice that disrespectful employees are around, don’t hesitate to check our guide.
- Listen to the troubling employee. Trying to stay calm even if the situation gets out of hand is basic. At the first sign of trouble, it is important not to ignore and listen to what disrespectful employee have to say. In many cases, bad behaviour is caused by other circumstances and the manager must identify them. To that end, listening is vital.
- Keep receipts. If disrespectful employee’ behaviour continues, a private meeting is unavoidable to serve as a first wake-up call. Keep an eye on the evidence. E-mails, phone calls or conversations can be of vital importance when it comes to proving a possible cause for dismissal. It is important to know the law so as not to commit any illegality.
- Reinforce rules. Many disrespectful employees improve their behaviour after an initial warning. If this is not the case, address the situation immediately. A general reiteration of the rules and their consequences is a good idea. It will bring the problem to light and put all disrespectful employees on notice.
- Monitor the team. From the first minute, it is important to meet with the rest of the team—especially those who have been personally violated by the disrespectful employee. Toxic behaviour must be prevented from becoming widespread in the company. Therefore, talking to coworkers to learn about their feelings and experiences should be a priority.
- Take drastic actions if necessary. If the environment remains the same after several warnings, disciplinary action is necessary. Consult a legal team for options ranging from dismissal to suspension of employment and pay.
What Is Considered a Toxic Employee?
Disrespectful employee may start by treating their co-workers poorly. But it rarely ends there. They are likely to end up generating problems with their superiors and building a very difficult environment in the company. Toxic or disrespectful employees stand out for their bullying behaviour.
Of course, physically violent situations are included, but there is much more to that. From harsh tone to gossip, inappropriate words to the well-known sexual abuse. The difference may be subtle, but it all constitutes an act that can lead to dismissal.
How To Manage Disrespectful Employee When You’re a Coworker
In the case of coworkers, the situation can be more difficult. Facing disrespectful employee may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Many people prefer to ignore or avoid conflict. However, this is never the answer.
The strategy to follow is much the same. Talk to disrespectful employees privately to bring their behavior to their attention. If this has no effect, document this behaviour and discuss it with the rest of the team. If the situation is not resolved, of course, go to your supervisor.
Creating a wall against this type of behaviour is a good idea. If disrespectful employees feel left out, they will realize something is wrong. Remember that you should not put up with a toxic environment and you can always resort to whistleblowing.
In many cases, a toxic ambient in workplaces is not easy to assume. If this is your case and you need a new place for your development, try Jobstoday.world. It’s free and we have thousands of jobs all around the world. Find the perfect one and take a more positive step into your work life!
See more:
- The situation is unbearable? Consider quitting your job.
- Taking care of employees is the first step to avoiding this kind of situation.
- A good job interview should tell you everything about an employee. Check out to nail them.
