Cynthia Nieto Positive Workplace Policy

Vargas
April 21, 2020

DO YOU WORK IN A
TOXIC WORK
CULTURE?
Every workplace has the
potential to have a positive
culture as long as everyone is
on the same page and working
together as a team to create a
safe, healthy, and happy work
environment. The problem is
the misuse of power that
comes from toxic individuals.
If there is no fixture within a
toxic work culture then it
creates an unsafe, unhealthy,
and unhappy environment.
Toxic leadership in the
workplace affects the well-
being of employees and the
overall work institution. So,
there must be alternative ways
to solve this unfortunate
problem which will be
discussed in this proposal that
would end toxicity in the
workplace. A positive
workplace policy created for
employees and employers
should be implemented within
work institutions that
demonstrate toxic work
culture or dysfunctional
leadership, because it is the What is the presented problem and why does it need to
only effective way that will
create an innovative and
be resolved?
supportive culture, and that
eliminates toxicity in the
workplace. Within companies and organizations comes with difficult

circumstances such as conflict with upper-management, drama,

gossip, toxic behavior, lack of communication, and little to no

enjoyment of working. According to Aries blog post “5 Signs

You’re In A Toxic Workplace” (2017), “Truly toxic workplaces

lead to employee burnout, fatigue, and downright illness”. These

impacts will negatively affect the employee’s well-being, job

performance, and work production. Toxic leadership in the

workplace only leads the work institution to fail as a whole if there

is no solution being presented. This is why it’s an important matter

that needs to be resolved because if we turn a toxic work culture

into a positive work culture then it creates an encouraging,

collaborative, and creative workplace (Craig, 2017).

What are some alternative solutions?

The National Employment Dispute Resolution Act:

First, the one method I will describe is an alternative solution which

is creating a system in the workplace that enforces resolving issues

and preventing toxic behavior. This method is applying The

National Employment Dispute Resolution Act (NEDRA) into the

workplace. As stated in Fox’s and Stallworth’s journal article

“Building a framework for two internal organizational approaches

to resolving and preventing workplace bullying: Alternative dispute

resolution and training” (2009), “NEDRA was designed to afford

asserted targets of harassment early access to internal conflict

management and ADR programs and systems including

ombudspersons as well as external professional fact finders and

mediators” (pg. 232). Management would recognize workplace

bullying or harassment and not allow this behavior to be permitted

in the workplace. There would be a code of conduct established

stating there would be consequences, disciplines, and discharges if

one engages in workplace bullying. There would be a mediator to

help with workplace disputes that may be costly if the employer

establishes fees or charges (Fox and Stallworth, 2009). Establishing

the NEDRA model into the workplace will resolve conflict and

bullying that is taking place in the work environment. It will make a

powerful and influential impact upon the workers and employers to

take seriousness about toxic leadership in the workplace and how to

eliminate it by establishing a method that will bring consequences

to anyone that displays toxic characteristics.

Reversing a toxic workplace with positive elements:

Next, the other alternative method I will discuss is reversing a toxic

workplace following a step by step policy. This method is by

focusing on solutions, increasing input from employees,

encouraging responsibility, fostering positive relationships, creating

a purpose or vision, coaching, focusing and acting on expectations

(Campbell, 2017). Fostering this kind of policy will improve and

build a better and more positive workplace for employees and

employers. In agreement with Campbell in her blog post “How to

Improve a Toxic Work Environment” (2017), “When your

employees feel valued, they give loyalty, dedication and hard work

to your company These steps become a cyclical effect of upward

movement that will propel your company toward increasing

productivity, affirmative mindsets and growth in company

revenue”.
What is the best solution for this problem?

Consequently, the best solution to end toxic leadership and its

misuse of power in the workplace is to reverse a toxic workplace

with positive outcomes. This is a logical proposal because no one

wants to work in an environment that is set up for failure with

toxicity running in course. So, implementing positive ways into a

toxic workplace will eliminate the bad qualities. It is a feasible

proposal because if a toxic work culture was created in the first

place then a positive one can develop afterward by taking the

necessary and appropriate steps. Implementing a positive workplace

policy that will keep and sustain a positive work environment

creates increased work productivity, personal growth, and worth

ethic. 

Breaking down the Positive Workplace Policy:

Therefore, creating a healthy work environment takes many crucial

steps to reach that accomplishment. First, you want to take a look at

goals and the good things that occur at the workplace. Everyone

should work as a team and come up with changes and solutions

when problems arise. Positive growth will occur when everyone

focuses on the good and make team decisions on what could be

done better for the workplace (Campbell, 2017). Second, showing

the right values, beliefs, and attitudes will make the workplace a

better place. For example, in Cullen’s web post “9 ways to create a

positive and safe work environment” (2017), “One easy and

rewarding thing you can do to create a positive working

environment is to actively show appreciation for your team and

encourage them to show appreciation for each other”. Besides, it

doesn’t cost a penny to show good morals in the workplace because

being kind and doing the right thing comes for free. Third,

encouraging responsibility and acting on it will make roles clear and

agreed upon in the workplace. Even during stressful times,

everyone needs to take responsibility and accountability for their

own actions. Being proactive and taking the time to participate in

professional duties and promote responsibility will improve the

workplace culture (Campbell, 2017). Fourth, don’t treat your team

members as if they don’t matter and don’t make them feel like

they’re just an employee, co-worker, or work member. Everybody

is human and we all need to recognize that we are more than just an

employed team member. Taking time to do non-related work

activities can help rejuvenate the workplace and see each other’s

true selves beyond their job title (Cullen, 2017). Next, having a

purpose or vision is important because it results in real efforts and

achievement. By collaborating and communicating within the work

community will produce powerful ideas and discussions. A vision

creates the bigger picture for the company, and it keeps the team

organized and focused during stressful times (Graham, n.d). For

instance, in Graham’s blog section “#5 — THE IMPORTANCE OF

VISION” (n.d), “A vision inspires action. A powerful vision pulls

in ideas, people and other resources. It creates the energy and will to
make change happen. It inspires individuals and organizations to

commit, to persist and to give their best”. Implementing a vision

will help the overall work team by overcoming obstacles together

and including each other’s input and come to an agreement on

important decision making. Then, coaching and mentoring each

other will create a more supportive, understanding, and safe

workplace. A team that motivates and inspires each other is a

successful team. As reported by Butler’s 4 minute read the blog post

“How to fix your toxic culture” (2018), “Listening with compassion

is an important first step to correcting a toxic workplace by

reducing fear and restoring psychological safety”. Building trust

with your team is important and essential in the workplace. Sharing

the same core values and norms in the workplace will eliminate

disputes and disagreements. Developing short- or long-term goals

together will set a realistic plan that everyone will want to

participate in. Taking the time to give recognition to others will

make the workplace happier and more celebratory. Finally, focusing

on expectations and setting boundaries will create a healthy work

environment. Establishing boundaries and expectations will make

everyone be aware of what is acceptable and what is not in the

workplace. Employees and employers will be aware of these rules

and understand their roles and responsibilities in the workplace.

This creates the workplace to function in an important and

meaningful way. Pursuant to Cullen’s blog post “9 ways to create a

positive and safe work environment” (2017), “By creating these

commitments together you will avoid team members from feeling

that something has been ‘imposed’ on them, and instead they will

feel more committed to the team's boundaries and expectations as

this is something they have created together”. Keeping the

workplace with boundaries and expectations will set the right

behavior and appropriate interactions expected of each other and

help reduce violations of the workplace policy because no one likes

to be disciplined and suffer serious consequences regarding work.

Why should people accept this proposal and act on it?

Thus, implementing a policy that is based on a step by step method

of positive outcomes that eliminates the negative outcomes will

remove toxicity in the workplace and ban dysfunctional leadership.

The justification of this proposal not only gets rids of a toxic work

culture, but it creates a new and improved culture described as

innovative and supportive. Hence, having an innovative culture will

bring creativity into the workplace and benefit the company. It

makes the institution stand out from the competition and creates a

culture of good challenges and have employees take risks with

confidence. Additionally, having a supportive culture maintains a

positive workplace and creates a meaningful, comfortable, and

inspiring environment with the people you work with. This brings

awareness about positive workplace culture and spreads positivity

and motivation to other workplaces that are suffering and failing.

What challenges this proposal?

However, there are important concerns and objections about

implementing a workplace policy within the work community. First,

it can be seen as a waste of time but in reality, it is not a waste of

time because if these workplace issues and toxic behavior were

prevented in the first place by establishing a policy in the workplace

then it wouldn’t have taken up so much time resolving long-term

conflict. Secondly, it can be viewed as a waste of profit but it’s not

a waste of money because it doesn’t cost anything to establish nor

manage a workplace with positive elements. At last, it can be

observed as a waste of effort, but it isn’t a waste of effort because

it’s logical that we all want to feel valued and happy in the

workplace. There’s no doubt that we wouldn’t want to work in an

environment that is enjoyable and fun and a safe place to go to.

During a survey, I created, the participant named Samantha who is a

current educator and employer agreed that conducting regular

check-ins and receiving feedback from team members is a good

way of creating a happy and productive workplace. She also

answered the following question “If you were a supervisor of a

company or organization, how would you manage a toxic work

culture?” she responded in the survey saying, “Have group meetings

and clear communication amongst all”. It’s clear to say that the

three challenges mentioned before are not challenging to this

problem because it’s common sense that everyone would want to

work in a positive workplace that has an established policy that

positively impacts work productivity, creativity, the well-being of

employees and employers, and results of effective leadership.

What makes this proposal so important?

In brief, the issue of toxic leadership and its misuse of power upon

work institutions have gotten out of control and need to be fixtured

by a proposal. When toxicity lives within the workplace it can be

eliminated by taking a step by step procedure to replace bad

outcomes with good ones. There are several positive elements that

are put into a policy to create a better work environment for those

who are suffering in a failing company or organization. Enforcing a

positive workplace policy will offer nothing but good benefits and

improvements amongst the workplace including work engagement,

performance, behavior, and health. Implementing a workplace

policy will abolish underlying causes in toxic workplaces and

support employees and employers on how to handle toxicity in the

workplace. Fortunately, there is a way to end toxic leadership and

the misuse of power, but it has to start with commitment and focus

to accomplish this change. It is not impossible to reverse a toxic

workplace into a good workplace. That is why it’s important to

establish a positive workplace policy in any work environment that

suffers from dysfunctional leadership and toxicity.

References

Aries, E. (2017, March 9). 5 Signs You're In A Toxic Workplace.

 Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emiliearies/2017/03/07/5-

signs-youre-in-a-toxic-workplace/#690052eb5134

Bulygo, Z. (2020, January 24). The 4 Elements That Make Great

Company Culture. Retrieved from

https://neilpatel.com/blog/great-company-culture/

Butler, M. (2018, September 27). How to fix your toxic culture.

Retrieved from

https://www.fastcompany.com/90234968/how-to-fix-your-

toxic-culture

Campbell, S. (2017, August 15). How to Improve a Toxic Work

Environment. Retrieved from

https://wheniwork.com/blog/how-to-identify-and-improve-

a-toxic-work-environment

Craig, W. (2017, July 25). 3 Reasons Why Positive Work Cultures

Are More Productive. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamcraig/2017/07/25/3-

reasons-why-positive-work-cultures-are-more-productive/

#29eb788e1ede

Cullen, E. (2017, October 23). 9 ways to create a positive and safe

work environment. Retrieved from

https://www.mentimeter.com/blog/transparency-at-work/9-
 ways-to-create-a-positive-and-safe-work-environment

Fox, S., & Stallworth, L. E. (2009). Building a framework for two

internal organizational approaches to resolving and

preventing workplace bullying: Alternative dispute

resolution and training. Consulting Psychology Journal:

Practice and Research, 61(3), 220-241.

doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1037/a0016637

Graham, J. (n.d.). #5 - The Importance of Vision. Retrieved

from https://www.johngraham.org/coach/5-the-importance-

of-vision