Finding a Haz-Mat Suit For The Toxic Employee

You know the motherf**ker when you see him.

Even if you physically are ambivalent to his conduct, something inside of you cringes at the sight or sound of the office bully. He may play favorites, lob personal insults at disagreeing personnel, or outright damns any semblance of moral turpitude in the name of results and short-term profits. What is he? This individual described is a toxic employee - a worker so motivated by personal gain that nothing else matters - manipulates, annoys, harasses, and intimidates co-workers into keeping silent in fear of reprisal as whistle blowers. He does not recognize the damage done to the organization in business practices and brand reputation until it is too late. By pitting work relationships with co-workers not by organizational structure rather through colleagues they favor and those they do not like or trust, workplaces are harmed to the extent that if or when the doors do close, few people are upset. 

While an incompetent employee can be spotted a country mile away, the same cannot be said for a toxic associate. When untreated, their bad germs become hazardous for the entire company.

Several signs do exist to strap down the infected team member into a Haz-Mat suit. They are:

1. Leading the meeting after the meeting.

All issues are discussed, concerns raised, and decisions are made. Every attendee leaves on equal footing - or at least with the satisfaction of being made aware of events - until people hit the door for that informal follow-up meeting which inevitably becomes a gripe session. That ringleader needs to work somewhere else because he cannot be trusted.

2. "That's not my job."

Everyone in a small-to-medium organization wears multiple hats and it is critically important that they are able to think on their feet, as not every situation is detailed in the training manual. For example, the guy in the control room may assist the floor supervisors with paperwork because he has the time and uncanny knack for efficiency. The phrase "that's not my job" implies "I only care about me" since it instantly shreds any hope of a cohesive team effort into a band of dysfunctional individuals. Remember, super team members jump into a task without being asked since they are already proactive to the problem.

3. I've paid my dues.

What in the f**k do you mean you've paid your dues? NBC personality and former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber told us that every day is disguised as a challenge, so why make the asinine assumption of paying dues like we're in a country club or union organization? Are you really saying that you do not have anything to offer or learn? If so, hit the door. You're unwilling to enter 2015 and I won't drag you along.

4. Experience in tangible.

The time spent in a role pales to the skills developed and lessons learned during that time. Being experienced as a knot on a log is a waste of time and talent better utilized elsewhere - like the unemployment office. 

5. There is peer pressure to be mediocre.

Remember being the new guy? You worked hard, asked questions, dove headfirst into (every) ethical opportunity, and were simply gung-ho about the organization? As targets are met and expectations exceeded, something happens along the way:  jealousy.

Being mediocre - and proud - means any new ideas, initiatives, and objectives are destined to be shot down. It's not an envy that you're winning; it is certain co-workers are trying not to lose. Soon enough, that new worker transforms into a stagnant person thanks to being bullied down to the shiftless teammate's level.

6. Narcissistic f**ks rush to glory and run from shame.

Well, maybe he went elbows, toes, and butt holes all year long on a major project to finish on time. The team would've fallen apart without his dedication and devotion. 

It didn't.

The team did it.

In the NBA playoffs, the team hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy upon the conclusion of the NBA Finals. While stars such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Tim Duncan are brightly shining megastars in their own right, none of them would have reached a title ceremony without teammates like Scottie Pippen, Derek Fisher, Udonis Haslem, or Steve Kerr each playing a critical role during the season with a key rebound, clutch trey, or season-saving block. Good employees share the load and defer the shine to the group; saying "I did all of the work" is akin to shouting "the world revolves around me" and is looked upon as an Eff You to the unit.

Sometimes, s**t hits the fan. People get their feelings hurt. Priorities are mismanaged. No matter what, it ain't my fault.

Whoa. Don't be Silkk the Shocker. 

Some people willingly take the hits, cussings, and verbal reprimands because they can handle it - and the person who actually did it may not like the heaping of crow lumped onto his plate. Laying on the grenade is one of the most selfless things an employee can do while throwing everyone under the bus to cover himself cements selfishness ESPECIALLY when it was your fault. Anyone who is above the team needs to take his destructive talents somewhere else and impede that brand - he is no longer vital.

7. Golden child status.

Management chooses one subordinate to praise and promote at the expense of certain departments if not the collective organization. That one individual ends up wielding too much power - in some cases, the owner has been afraid to terminate him despite knowledge of the bullying. Instead, thank the entire team. It can be done without tossing piles of money (although I would appreciate the cash); just show a genuine appreciation of combined effort. Otherwise, that golden child can single-handedly destroy the company.

8. The s**t starter.

Also known as the office gossip, every job seems to have at least one s**t starter. If yours cannot identify the mouth, then it may be the one you see in the mirror. They are often the ones who post judgmental comments on social media (#SalineCoProblems, anyone?) or as the instigator, they sit back and enjoy the dissent. Cut 'em loose. 

9. Renegades and Mavericks.

In politics, onetime presidential candidate John McCain (R-AZ) has likened himself to a maverick willing to turn left when the band marches rightward. For Arizonans and the Republican Party in the latter stages of campaign season, being able to go it alone is a good thing to accomplish victory.

Not at work.

Renegades (and mavericks - not the professional basketball players in Dallas) flaunt conventional rules and policies placing the organization at risk. Whether it's not wearing a respirator in a waste management facility or making decisions without permission, the fallout can be fatal to not only the organization but also magnifies an already hazardous environment. Worse, once others find out they can get away with breaking some rules, you may have more renegades and mavericks. Lay down the law or set 'em free. 

While we all wish that we worked, lived, and played in a perfect world, sadly this is not always the case. Even after the best interviews, exceptional attendance and work ethic during the probationary period, some people are simply too toxic to devote our time and energy to and must be cured or eradicated of their ailments. Perhaps a simple redirect will suffice along with a reminder of the company's mission statement. Follow your employer's chain of command, and if that does not help, ask a trusted superior not in your area of responsibility for a meeting to voice concerns. Twenty-nine states have enacted some version of the Healthy Workplace Bill to curb the need for Haz-Mat suits to identify the truly toxic workers, so check that bill to see if it applies to your state - fortunately, Arkansas is one of those states. Do it before the brain drain stems any progress and future successes anticipated.