Toxic: A Guide to Rebuilding Respect and Tolerance in a Hostile Workplace

Description

The workplace has become a hotbed of social toxicity – from the #MeToo movement to WeWork, it's clear that abusive bosses and entrenched cultures of discrimination have become more prevalent than ever. Such behaviour is not only simply wrong and damaging to its victims – it also results in reduced productivity, higher employee turnover, and can often leave a stain upon the wider reputation of an organization. In Toxic, Clive Lewis draws upon his decades of experience in HR and mediation to distill the problems and underlying causes of toxic workplaces before tackling the issue head-on. He draws upon first-hand case studies from an eclectic array of workplaces (from corporate offices to hospitals) to demonstrate how toxicity can be both prevented and resolved. This is a practical guide for business leaders and HR professionals looking to preserve a peaceful workplace, while also providing tips for employees looking to remain productive and focused when working with troublesome colleagues in difficult environments. Title Page Copyright Page Contents Introduction Chapter 1: The Changing World of Work A 20-year-old apprentice called Hetti Senior employees, Frank and Gill A team of scientists Georgina, the female executive 1. Trust 2. Trade unions/industrial relations 3. Resilience 4. The five-generation workplace 5. Technology 6. Corporate scandals and CEO tenure 7. The gig economy 8. Sleep deprivation 9. Anxiety and stress 10. Psychological trauma 11. Psychological safety Chapter 2: Workplace Culture VUCA The cost of a toxic workplace – the ­business case The power of positive thinking Chapter 3: Leadership Leadership, trust and toxicity Leadership case study The Speed of Trust Chapter 4: Civility and Respect Regaining civility and respect The ‘Cup of Coffee’ conversation How to be a better employee Bullying and harassment The impact of bullying and harassment Forgiveness Stages of Justice and Forgiveness Development Chapter 5: Psychological Opposites Chapter 6: Conflict Management Mediation How to have a difficult conversation Chapter 7: Diversity and Inclusion Case study: Race – A hot potato Context Inclusion Chapter 8: Technology and Toxicity Protocols for electronic messaging Chapter 9: Organization Diagnosis Dr John Hunter Mediation and organization diagnosis Model of a mediation-based ­organization diagnostic process Case study The HR function Conclusion Workplace mediation protocol What is mediation? What to do now? Workplace Mediation Protocol Acknowledgements Index