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Combating Negativity in the Workplace

Years of research has confirmed what most business owners already know: Negativity in the workplace leads to absenteeism, low morale, and lost productivity. The tangible results of negativity can be measured in employee turnover, chronic lateness, mistakes and accidents, and serious health issues. Left unchecked, a culture of negativity costs companies big money, as much as $3 billion annually in the United States alone, according to Gallup. Negativity at work can manifest itself in several ways. Key signs that negativity is brewing include the following:

You overhear employees muttering bitter comments such as “It’s not my problem,” “Only an hour before I get out of here,” or “Sure, knock yourself out, but I doubt anyone will care.”
You notice that employees are snapping at each other, coming in late and leaving early, and not completing assigned tasks.
You observe employees frowning or looking away when you or other managers speak.
Facing the Problem
Confront signs of negativity early. This may be as simple as pulling an offending employee aside and pointing out the unacceptable behavior. You may learn that there is something behind it, a problem in the workplace or with co-workers that you can help solve. If the problems come from outside of work, offer a sympathetic ear so the employee has positive associations with being at work rather than negative ones.

Years of research has confirmed what most business owners already know: Negativity in the workplace leads to absenteeism, low morale, and lost productivity. The tangible results of negativity can be measured in employee turnover, chronic lateness, mistakes and accidents, and serious health issues.

Left unchecked, a culture of negativity costs companies big money, as much as $3 billion annually in the United States alone, according to Gallup. Negativity at work can manifest itself in several ways. Key signs that negativity is brewing include the following:

You overhear employees muttering bitter comments such as “It’s not my problem,” “Only an hour before I get out of here,” or “Sure, knock yourself out, but I doubt anyone will care.”
You notice that employees are snapping at each other, coming in late and leaving early, and not completing assigned tasks.
You observe employees frowning or looking away when you or other managers speak.
Facing the Problem
Confront signs of negativity early. This may be as simple as pulling an offending employee aside and pointing out the unacceptable behavior. You may learn that there is something behind it, a problem in the workplace or with co-workers that you can help solve. If the problems come from outside of work, offer a sympathetic ear so the employee has positive associations with being at work rather than negative ones.

Individual team members don’t receive deserved credit. Teams are typically established with the best intentions. Members do their part, but inevitably a few team members get all the glory. This can breed discontent. No matter how small, praise individual contributions for the success of the whole.
Top echelon employees are laden with praise, benefits, and rewards while front-line and other workers are ignored. This attitude is rampant in many large corporations, and it has profound long-term effects on morale, productivity, and loyalty.
It’s no surprise that employee negativity often stems from feeling unappreciated. Simply recognizing employees and the work they do can solve many, if not most, negativity issues.

Finally, check your own attitude and actions and evaluate how well you’re doing at instilling a good atmosphere at work. Are you coming in tired, irritable, or stressed? If so, you’re likely spreading that to your staff. A positive boss is more likely to have positive, productive employees. Remember, optimism is contagious, too.