Imagine a crystal-clear glass of water.
Now, picture adding a single drop of dye.
Instantly, the entire glass changes color. What once was ‘clearly’ a glass of water becomes unrecognizable and is, arguably, something entirely different.
If your workplace is this glass of water and toxic behaviors are the dye, this simple illustration depicts how even a small amount of negativity can completely alter your company environment and affect everyone involved.
Here at Combined, a HUB International Company, we know that you want to create a positive workplace environment where your team can flourish. And to do this, recognizing the early signs of workplace toxicity is key to preventing it from changing the color of your company.
However, we also know, that in today's fast-paced and interconnected business world, the subtle signs of workplace toxicity can easily slip under the radar and gradually erode team morale, productivity, and overall success.
So, we’ve created this article to help you identify the early signs of workplace toxicity and prevent it from changing the color of your company.
In this article, we'll explore what workplace toxicity truly means, why it matters, and share the top ten signs to watch out for.
By reading this article, you’ll learn how to identify these early warning signs, so you can proactively maintain a positive, productive workplace.
What is workplace toxicity?
Workplace toxicity refers to patterns of behavior, interaction, and organizational culture that harm employee well-being and hinder productivity.
It's more than just occasional conflicts or bad days — it's a consistent, persistent negative environment where issues like poor communication, lack of trust, and unaddressed conflicts become the norm.
This toxicity can infect your workplace in various ways, ranging from overt hostility to subtle undermining actions, and can stem from individuals, teams, or even systemic organizational architecture.
Why it matters
A toxic workplace doesn't just impact your employees — Rather, it can have far-reaching effects on the entire organization.
According to a study by Harvard Business School, toxic employees can cost a company significant ROI in lost productivity and increased turnover.
Wondering why?
Well, the onset of heightened stress levels, decreased morale, and even health issues resulting from a toxic work environment can lead to absenteeism and lower quality of work among employees. And this will ultimately diminish the company's reputation and overall profitability.
So, needless to say, addressing workplace toxicity is essential for creating and maintaining a healthy, productive work environment where employees and business operations can thrive.
Is your workplace toxic?
Understanding the importance of a positive work environment is important. But being able to assess when your workplace is becoming toxic is critical.
So, how can you tell if your workplace is becoming toxic?
10 Red flags of workplace toxicity
Here are the top ten signs that your workplace is becoming toxic which you need to be attuned to and aware of.
1. High employee turnover
Employee turnover is a natural part of any business, but when it becomes excessive, it's a glaring warning sign.
Imagine constantly seeing employees leave shortly after being hired, creating a revolving door of staff. This not only disrupts team cohesion but also drains resources spent on recruiting and training.
Why it matters
A revolving door of employees is more than just a logistical headache — it's a red flag signaling deeper issues within the organization.
High turnover often points to dissatisfaction with management, poor workplace culture, or lack of growth opportunities — all hallmarks of a toxic environment.
What to look for
- Employees frequently resigning or being terminated
- Short average tenure across the team
- Exit interviews citing dissatisfaction with the work environment
2. Increased absenteeism and tardiness
When employees start showing up late or, in more extreme circumstances, not at all, it may indicate deeper issues.
Think about a time when you dreaded going to a place — you might have found excuses to avoid it. Similarly, employees who frequently call in sick or arrive late might be trying to escape a negative work environment.
Why it matters
When employees are disengaged or unhappy, their attendance often suffers. Increased absenteeism and tardiness can disrupt workflows, burden other team members, and signal declining morale.
What to look for
- Frequent call-outs without valid reasons
- Patterns of lateness among multiple team members
- Employees taking extended, unexcused breaks or leaving early
3. Lack of communication and transparency
Effective communication should be the foundation of any organization.
So, when information is withheld or not shared openly, it creates confusion and mistrust. Not surprisingly, then, Salesforce found in a detailed that 86% of employees and executives cite a lack of collaboration or ineffective communication as the cause of workplace failures.
Why it matters
When information isn't flowing freely, misunderstandings and mistrust can fester. This can lead to mistakes, duplicated efforts, and a steady decline in team cohesion.
What to look for
- Important information not being shared in a timely manner
- Decisions made without collaborative team input
- Employees feeling ‘out of the loop’
4. Prevalence of gossip and rumors
Gossip and rumors can quickly breed an atmosphere of suspicion, disrupting trust and damaging professional relationships in lasting ways.
Gossip is not just harmless chatter — The Journal of Applied Social Psychology revealed that workplace gossip directly leads to lower job satisfaction and weaker organizational commitment.
Why it matters
The truth of the matter is that when gossip spreads, employees feel less motivated and more isolated. This impacts both their personal well-being and the team’s overall morale.
What to look for
- Employees whispering or huddling in secretive conversations
- The spread of suspicious information
- An atmosphere of anxiety
5. Cliques and exclusionary behavior
When workplace dynamics start to resemble high school cliques, it's a sign of trouble.
Exclusionary behavior can make employees feel isolated and undervalued, leading to decreased team morale and operational productivity.
Why it matters
Plain and simple: cliques create divisions within the team!
These cracks in company dynamics lead to resentment and, eventually, a breakdown in collaboration. Cliques undermine any sense of organizational unity and can cause even the most talented employees to leave.
What to look for
- Groups consistently isolating themselves from the rest of the team
- New employees struggling to integrate
- Reports or signs of favoritism
6. Unrealistic expectations and employee burnout
Pushing employees beyond reasonable limits can lead to complete burnout.
The World Health Organization recognizes this state of physical and psychological exhaustion as a preventable occupational issue that 77% of professionals have experienced at their current job.
Why it matters
Constant overwork contributes to (You guessed it!) decreased productivity. But not only — It also contributes to errors, symptoms of stress, and ancillary health issues.
Burned-out employees are less engaged, less creative, and more likely to leave the organization.
What to look for
- Employees regularly working excessive overtime hours
- High stress levels, visible fatigue, and noticeable irritability
- Decline in work quality and missed deadlines
7. Micromanagement
Imagine trying to work with someone constantly looking over your shoulder, questioning your every move. Not fun, right? Well, it goes further than just being an inconvenient pet peeve.
Micromanagement stifles creativity and signals a lack of trust in employees' abilities. Because of this, a recent study by Trinity Solutions found that 79% of respondents had experienced micromanagement, and of those, 69% considered changing jobs because of it.
(YIKES!)
Why it matters
Overbearing oversight can demotivate employees, reduce job satisfaction, and increase turnover. Plus, aside from hindering productivity, employees can become reliant on constant direction, diminishing workplace innovation.
What to look for
- Managers overly involved in minor tasks
- Employees reluctant to take initiative or voice opinions
- High levels of stress and elevated anxiety among employees
8. Lack of recognition and appreciation
Can we agree that everyone wants to feel valued for their contributions?
When hard work goes unnoticed, it can lead to disengagement and resentment. To prove this, a survey by Gallup found that employees who don't feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they'll quit in the next year.
Why it matters
A lack of recognition can demotivate employees, reduce morale, and (Go figure!) increase turnover.
Recognition is a key driver of employee engagement and productivity.
What to look for
- Accomplishments going unnoticed or unacknowledged
- Employees expressing feelings of under-appreciation
- Low participation in meetings and projects
9. Frequent conflicts and hostility
While occasional disagreements are normal, constant conflicts and hostile interactions are not. An environment where arguments and tensions are the norm can be incredibly draining.
Why it matters
Persistent conflicts disrupt workflow, damage relationships, and can lead to a toxic atmosphere that affects everyone. They can also lead to legal issues if harassment or bullying becomes involved.
What to look for
- Arguments between team members
- Complaints about harassment, bullying, or retaliation
- Negative body language and insincere communication
10. Resistance to change and innovation
In a rapidly evolving business landscape, adaptability is key.
So, perhaps the most alarming sign of toxicity is a workplace that resists change, causing business operations to become stagnant and growth to reach a plateau.
Employees who fear or reject new ideas may be holding the company back. And, according to McKinsey & Company, 70% of change programs fail due to employee resistance and lack of support from management.
Why it matters
Resistance to change can prevent the organization from staying competitive. It also indicates a lack of openness and trust within the team.
What to look for
- Dismissal of new ideas without consideration
- Clinging to outdated processes and technologies
- Lack of enthusiasm for learning opportunities
A healthier workplace awaits — Take the next steps
Just as a single drop of dye can change the color of a glass of water, even minor issues can have significant impacts if left unaddressed.
Recognizing these signs of workplace toxicity is the first crucial step toward cultivating a positive and productive work environment.
And by reading this article, you are now equipped to iSpy™ even the slightest indication of toxicity in yours.
But do you still need help?
Here at Combined, a HUB International Company, our HR experts are ready to help you assess your workplace for the signs and symptoms of toxic behavior.
Together we can ensure your workplace remains vibrant, constructive, and conducive to success!
This article is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice.
