Toxic Employees: How to Spot Them, Stop Them, and Protect Your Team
One toxic employee can tank morale and productivity. And in small teams, their impact is amplified.
Red Flags to Watch:
- Undermining others or gossiping
- Passive-aggressive communication
- Disregard for rules or leaders
- Playing the victim or blaming others
How to Respond:
- Document Everything – Keep records of behaviours, incidents, and conversations.
- Give Feedback Early – Be direct but respectful. Focus on behaviours, not personality.
- Use Your Policies – Refer to your Code of Conduct or Values. Set clear standards for everyone
- Escalate if Needed – Follow a fair disciplinary process. Don’t let fear of conflict paralyse you.
Reminder: Protecting your team culture is part of your job as a leader.
This type of situation is often quite subtle and requires persistence to manage effectively.