“There is no position in a hotel that is more important than another, but a toxic employee can ruin everything.”
~ Brian Knopp, Hospitality Leader

One toxic employee can wreck your culture.
By Sean McPheat

Here’s how to identify them ⬇️

Toxic employees don’t just cause problems
for themselves – they impact your entire organisation.

One team member who constantly complains,
spreads gossip, or resists feedback can set off
a chain reaction that drags everyone else down.

And the worst part?

These behaviours are often ignored or tolerated for far too long.

Here are 12 warning signs of toxic behaviour you should never overlook:

❌ Constant negativity:
Employees who complain without contributing solutions.

❌ Gossip spread:
Sharing rumours that destroy team trust.

❌ Blaming others:
Avoiding accountability for mistakes.

❌ Resisting feedback:
Reacting poorly to constructive criticism.

❌ Lack of accountability:
Avoiding ownership of tasks or results.

❌ Undermining colleagues:
Sabotaging or discrediting team members.

❌ Manipulative tactics:
Using deceit for personal gain.

❌ Disruptive behaviour:
Fuelling conflict and disrupting team harmony.

❌ Entitlement mentality:
Expecting rewards without effort.

❌ Avoiding work:
Evading responsibilities and deadlines.

❌ Avoiding teamwork:
Reluctance to collaborate or share credit.

❌ Inconsistent performance:
Being unreliable or unpredictable in delivery.

Here’s why ignoring these behaviours is so dangerous:

➡️ It demotivates high performers.
Talented employees will quickly disengage when forced to work with toxic colleagues. Worse, they may leave entirely.

➡️ It destroys trust.
Gossip, blame, and manipulation create an environment of fear and suspicion, making collaboration nearly impossible.

➡️ It spreads like wildfire.
Negative behaviours have a ripple effect, dragging down even your most positive team members.

➡️ It impacts business outcomes.
Teams with unchecked toxicity underperform, miss deadlines, and fail to innovate.

What can you do about it?

✅ Be proactive.
Spot these red flags early and address them directly.

✅ Create clear standards.
Ensure everyone understands what behaviours are unacceptable.

✅ Support honest conversations.
Create an environment where feedback and accountability are prioritised.

✅ Act swiftly.
Don’t wait to address toxic behaviour – it only gets worse over time.

Toxicity doesn’t just damage the individual – it weakens the whole team.

🧠 Remember; addressing these behaviours
isn’t about being harsh.

It’s about protecting the health of your
workplace and ensuring a culture of trust,
collaboration, and growth.

What’s the biggest red flag you’ve seen in a team?
Let me know in the comments below ⬇️

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♻️ Repost to help others spot and stop toxicity in their teams!

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