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High employee turnover rates, low staff morale, widespread gossip – these are symptoms of a toxic or negative work environment. How aware of the office culture are you? Workplace conflicts and decreased office morale can disrupt productivity, alienate workers, have a catastrophic effect on your employee retention efforts, and potentially lead to costly Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) claims.
A comprehensive business insurance program that includes EPLI coverage will help you to offset the cost of claims or suits, but it should not be your only defense. The only way you can truly prevent claims and protect your employees’ health, safety, and happiness is by prioritizing a positive working environment.
1. Give Credit Where Credit is Due
Do your employees take credit for their colleagues’ work or belittle each other’s efforts to make themselves look good? It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, but it doesn’t have to be that way within the company. Ensure that everyone who contributes to a project is getting the credit they deserve by observing your staff regularly and asking for updates on their progress.
2. Encourage Team Sharing
It’s normal to incite some friendly competition among employees, but how you deal with the results of the competition matters. Never subject the “losers” to humiliation or ridicule as this likely leads to resentment and the loss of morale. You want your employees to be driven, not discouraged.
Top performers can mentor the ones who are having trouble hitting their targets. This will naturally foster a positive working environment, and results in a more cohesive team.
3. Avoid Playing Favorites
A team leader that plays favorites and scapegoats is a huge contributing factor to a toxic work environment. This alienates the designated scapegoats and can induce workplace bullying and the formation of cliques, leading to the eventual breakdown of the team.
4. Lead by Example
Do you heavily penalize or criticize your staff for making mistakes while excusing your own? Do you set rules that you don’t follow? A good boss admits to mistakes and lives by their own code of conduct, instead of merely enforcing it on others.
5. Provide Outlets for Mutual Feedback
People like to know that they are doing well in their roles. It’s important to provide employees with an avenue to communicate with the management.
Assure them that negative feedback will be considered and addressed, and offer incentives for sharing ideas that can improve the workplace. If you feel employees are not being honest (for fear of retaliation or other negative consequences for sharing their opinions), offer a means of anonymously communicating as well.
6. Encourage an Open Office Culture
While boundaries are important in maintaining your role as a leader, it also pays to encourage employees to approach you with their concerns or if they need assistance. You might find that they have good ideas to share but were afraid of being criticized.
By keeping the lines of communication open, you can help prevent a toxic work environment and promote a dynamic workplace where employees are happy and motivated. Let your teams know that your door is always open and they can rely on you for support and discretion.
About Transparity Insurance Services
Transparity Insurance Services was founded for the purpose of helping clients to ensure their property and assets with no hassle. We are committed to providing a simple, easy, efficient, and positive experience to all of our clients, and prioritize open and transparent communication with our clients. Through our excellent customer service and technology, we can help you to find the right insurance program at a competitive price. Contact us today at (855) 889-2037 to learn more about what we can do for you.