People are very diverse and this diversity is very visible in the world of organizations, where many people with different personality traits have to work together.
On many occasions everything goes well, there are those who work more and others a little less, however, sometimes it happens that workers have ways of being that do a lot of damage to the organization, and that must be corrected in some way.
There are several the types of toxic workers that we can find in a company and then we will see the top 8.
Most important types of toxic workers in companies
There are those who would say that a company is a reflection of society, both in good and in good ways. In the same way that in the real world there is a diversity of people, each with their own personality and way of doing things, the workers of a company cannot separate themselves from their temperamental traits. Each one works to the extent that their capacity and way of being allows them, there are those who work more and others who work a little less and, unfortunately, there are also those who do not work at all or do so in a very dysfunctional way.
Although it is expected that in our company everyone does their part and tries to make an effort to ensure that the organization goes well, it is true that sometimes we can encounter people who seem to forget that they live in a society and the company It’s part of her. There are disruptors, egocentrics, conflicts and, in short, workers who exert a detrimental influence that do a lot of damage to the company. Below we will see the 8 types of toxic workers and some tips to prevent them from ruining our company.
1. The troublemaker
The problematic worker is just that, that person who, with what he does, creates more problems than it solves His way of working is incompetent, erratic and unreliable and, since on many occasions he does not know how to do his job well or does not have much desire, he cannot really fix anything. By depending too much on others to be able to solve their own mistakes, it causes others to lose concentration on their tasks, which generates generalized frustration.
2. The lazy
The lazy and lazy worker avoids working by absorbing the time, enthusiasm and energy of other workers Even though he has all the tools, knowledge and strategies necessary to carry out his job, he does not do his part or, if he does his part, he does it very late, in reality he ends up being a rather unproductive member. of the organization. He says that he does it at his own pace and, on many occasions, he doesn’t care how rushed his boss and his colleagues are because of him.
3. The martyr
The martyr is just the opposite of the lazy. He is a character who He insists on doing absolutely everything, even what he cannot manage to do
He is quite a worker, but not in the positive sense of the expression, but rather he wants everyone to know how much he sacrifices doing things that are not his responsibility. The problem is that by working more than you can and have to, you run the risk of doing things wrong, in addition to leaving those who do know how to do it out of work, causing a bad final result and, on top of that, unbalancing the rest of the team..
4. The social
In every office we can find people with a certain degree of humor, who brighten our day with their jokes and pranks. That’s fine, but taken to the toxic point we have the figure of the social. Is about an extraverted person who entertains and distracts others more than he should He gossips, tells jokes at all hours and talks too much, disturbing the work rhythm. And if we add to all this the fact that many of them love drama, we have an individual who can bring tension to the organization.
5. The disturber
The disturber is that person who, as his name indicates, disrupts the good climate of the organization
There are those who prefer to call him the psychopathic worker, since he leaves a trail of destruction and discord wherever he goes. It creates a hostile, uncomfortable and tense work environment, affecting the morale and, consequently, the effectiveness of all workers. If he doesn’t like someone, he harasses them, sabotages his projects, and manipulates others to turn against him, even his own boss.
6. The renegade
In every company there is someone who, after telling them how to do things, training them and advising them so that they do not make certain mistakes, ignores them and goes their own way.
It has its own rules, its own method, even if that means putting the company’s income at risk He improvises and makes decisions that are outside his competence. He does not take the client’s relationship seriously, he believes he knows more than others and does things according to his method, without thinking about whether this could harm his colleagues. The word protocol doesn’t mean anything.
7. The sunken
The sunk, also called by some as the loser, is that worker who unfortunately fails by nature. He is characterized by not believing in his abilities, not knowing how to manage his emotions of discouragement and despondency well and, on many occasions, have very low self-esteem.
He doesn’t have to be a toxic person, but it is clear that his way of being in the company harms its functioning. If he was successful in the past, he considers it a product of chance or attributes the credit to others.
8. The bad leader
The bad leader is one of the worker profiles that can bring the worst things to the organization. They are people who become very toxic workers because it is certain that they will drag down other employees of the company They are also those people who are incapable of seeing the merits of others, taking credit for what their subordinates have done and seeing them as mere means to achieve their purposes. They are unable to delegate because, if they do, they feel that they lose power.
What to do if we have toxic workers?
The presence of a toxic worker is a risk for the company. We must manage to generate an environment of trust where workers feel free to tell us as bosses what bothers them or, if there is a human resources team, to that department. The worker should feel free and comfortable to explain their concerns, knowing that they have the hope that they will be taken seriously
Some basic tips to follow are:
As for the toxic worker, we have already done everything in our power to correct the situation, from intensive training programs, emotional and time management, as well as anti-bullying protocols, but it does not seem like they are doing their part. or there continue to be serious problems between him and the rest of the workers, the only measure that can nip the problem in the bud will have to be taken: dismissal.