It may be born out of the best of intentions, but toxic positivity has the potential of damaging workplaces, as well as employees and managers alike, creating a toxic workplace with disastrous consequences for a business.
What Is Toxic Positivity?
Positive thinking, or ‘looking on the bright side’, can be beneficial in some situations, But in some scenarios, there is no bright side, no matter how hard you look. Positive thinking becomes toxic when we try to apply it to every experience in life, even when it can’t be applied.
In the workplace, toxic positivity creates a culture where employees feel unable to raise concerns for fear of being labelled as ‘negative.’ It can also lead to employees suppressing feelings that are completely normal by pretending everything is fine, which in the long run, can harm their mental wellbeing.
How Toxic Positivity Is Created
Workplace bullying is on the rise. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) found that workplace bullying had increased by 13% compared to pre-pandemic numbers.
The REC also found that some business leaders introduced unofficial anti-negative policies to tackle workplace bullying. Consequently, management and employees started withholding feedback and constructive criticism, which in a workplace, can be just as harmful.
The Consequences of Toxic Positivity
Toxic positivity can undermine genuine feelings of loss and grief, making us feel isolated. It can also lead to real harm going unchecked because highlighting it could be seen as ‘being negative.’
In the workplace, toxic positivity can make staff feel that they are not being listened to, leading to resentment. This can lead to more grievance escalations, and even staff leaving the organisation.
It also creates the perfect habitat for a toxic workplace, where employees feel psychologically unsafe and feelings of negativity, unhealthy competition and aggression thrive – the exact things that toxic positivity is trying to avoid.
Signs Of A Toxic Workplace
Here are some common signs of a toxic workplace that should not be ignored:
- Lack of boundaries – a work-life balance is not encouraged, and unhealthy behaviours like working at the weekend or when you are ill are celebrated.
- Lack of respect – when employees’ concerns are not listened to, acted on, or simply ignored.
- Cut-throat culture: Where ruthlessness and backstabbing are commonplace and even encouraged.
- Burnout and increased sickness – heightened stress levels in a toxic workplace make employees feel burnt out and tired, often taking more sick days.
- High turnover – no one wants to work in a toxic workplace, so a high turnover is likely as staff choose to remove themselves from the situation.
- Be open, honest and transparent with your employees especially around any financial hardship issues as the rumours are far more damaging to staff moral and job security.
In Conclusion
Positivity in the workplace is a noble goal, but it can be taken too far. Toxic positivity can lead to genuine concerns being ignored, and an obsession with putting a positive spin on everything can be draining and damaging. This, in turn, can create what it was trying to prevent all along – a toxic workplace.
KTAS specialises in employee training and professional development in the UK. We offer a range of courses and programmes designed to equip managers with the skills and knowledge needed to take ownership of their teams. We believe that investing in employee training is key to creating a healthy culture, and we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve this goal. Contact us today to learn more about how KTAS can help transform your team and workplace environment.
References:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/toxic-positivity
- https://www.recruiter.co.uk/analysis/2023/03/online-bullying-workplace
- https://www.recruiter.co.uk/2023/03/insight-when-optimism-too-much
- https://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-work-environment
- https://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-work-environment
- https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/blog/signs-of-toxic-workplace/
