5 Signs of a Toxic Person at Work (and How To Handle Them)

“Are you surrounded by toxic people at work?”

Working with other people can be tricky. Everyone has their own personality, preferences, and methods. Sometimes, these differences can lead to clashes in a less-than-desirable way, other times, the negative environment is created by a certain toxic person at your workplace.

But how do you know if you are dealing with a toxic person at work or just a coworker who is always in a bad mood?

Identifying the 5 Signs of a Toxic Person at Work

The five signs of a toxic person at work come in two categories: their behavior towards others, and their attitude towards others and work.

Toxic people regularly deceive or manipulate people around them, exercising high degrees of selfishness, or employing hurtful discriminatory practices.

Toxic coworkers can be identified by persistent speech patterns where the individual constantly creates sabotage or drama in the workplace.

Signs of a Toxic Person

• Toxic Behavior
  • Observing Speech; Discussion Patterns
  • Sabotage; Drama
  • Manipulation; Deception
• Projection of Attitude
  • Signs of Selfishness
  • Discriminatory Practices

However, people who are hard to deal with at work don’t make them toxic per se but these people just don’t make for a pleasant work environment. There is a difference between a toxic person and a tough personality.

Here we will discuss in detail the signs of a toxic person and a few suggestions on how to handle it. 

Identifying a Toxic Person By Their Behavior

One of the first telltale signs of a toxic person is their behavior. Understand that words and actions are not one and the same, albeit related. But, it’s also important to comprehend that what you perceive as “toxic,” may not be as negative as you label it either.

If someone says negative things on occasion, this is not essentially a toxic person. They could simply be impatient, under pressure, or experiencing negativity at home.

This is why you should perform a detailed evaluation of the person in question to ensure toxicity is what you are certainly dealing with.

1. Observing Speech; Discussion Patterns

Because speech and the topics people discuss are subjective, it’s important to take an unbiased approach to judgment in this regard. If you notice any one of the points below on a persistent basis, they may very well be toxic to the workplace:

• Tell on everyone for everything they say and do to higher-ups.
• Constantly gossip and speak behind the backs of others in a negative way.
• They complain, nag, or raise their voice at people every single day all day long.
• Discuss the private or professional lives of other people with coworkers.
• Openly talking about topics that make everyone else squeamish or uncomfortable on purpose.

2. Sabotage; Drama

However, if someone constantly sabotages the progress of others or does things to intentionally be anti-efficient, this is a good sign they’re toxic.

Toxic people create an intolerable space, devoid of creativity or relaxation. It’s just not a fun atmosphere to be in and it brings everyone down.

This is also true for those types of people who create chaos where none is necessary.

These drama queens will drum up all sorts of trouble all the time.

When they do this and upheaval abounds, look to see if they are happy or sad at the outcome.

If they are satisfied with what’s happening, they are surely a toxic person.

3. Manipulation; Deception

When someone uses manipulation and deception to get what they want, it’s a clear sign of an individual who has a rotten heart. This can manifest in a myriad of ways.

For example, they’ll use manipulative tactics to put everyone at odds with each other or step on everyone’s toes to get a promotion.

Likewise, they may lie to you about something that’s due at work or fail to pass on important messages that will give you a leading edge.

When you fail at your duty, they will get the credit while you receive a reprimand or loss of profit.

Of course, sometimes people are simply forgetful.

But when the behavior becomes a regular pattern, they are likely doing this intentionally.

Identify a Toxic Person By Their Projection of Attitude

Toxic coworkers will also project a hubris attitude or arrogant air to match their actions. This usually involves some level and degree of self-importance, self-righteousness, and overall selfishness.

1. Signs of Selfishness

Self-serving attitudes are immediately apparent with things like:

• They believe their opinion is the only one that matters.
• They think nothing is ever their fault; always blaming everyone else for their shortcomings.
• They may treat everyone like an idiot or a weakling out of hand without just cause.
• They come off as the know-it-all because they have more education, and experience or spent more time with the company.
• You find yourself walking on eggshells around them every time you speak.

2. Discriminatory Practices

Another sign of a toxic person at work is their constant discriminatory practices that are harmful rather than being a rational display of discernment.

Discrimination in the workplace is when a person or a group of individuals are treated unfairly due to certain characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religious beliefs, or national origin.

When a person adopts discriminatory practices, often this can be a sign that that person is a toxic person.

For example, a Minnesota school district recently announced they were going to fire their white teachers before any other race as a means to save money.

This action is toxic because they aren’t sifting out teachers due to poor performance records. The district is doing it based on conditions a person cannot control. This is not a rational decision and it causes more harm than it does good.

How to Deal With a Toxic Person At Work

Of course, everyone’s immediate reaction to a toxic person will be to avoid them. But, this isn’t always possible for the simple fact that there is no “I” in the team.

1. Fight Fire with Water

Your first defense against such a person is to not allow them to affect or infect you in any way, shape, or form.

Positivity, forgiveness, and maintaining an optimistic attitude will drive them crazy. If everyone in your office can do this, their behavior will fade out into the background.

The best way to counter a toxic coworker is to go with the old adage: “Kill ‘em with kindness.”

At the very least, don’t change who you are to accommodate their poor attitude and behavior.

It might take a moment for this to take effect, especially if they’re the kind of person where every day is an exercise in a battle of wits and wills.

But, if they are always unreasonable no matter what anyone says or does, you must fight fire with a good dousing of water.

When they know their negativity isn’t effective, they will eventually leave off.

2. Attempting Diplomacy

If someone is generally nice and amenable to discussion, you can try the diplomatic way.

Perhaps you can discuss their attitude with them at the right moment. So, for this, timing will be everything.

For instance, wait for these people to do their daily complaining or blaming and pay attention to a window of opportunity.

They may ask a question about themselves or inquire about your opinion on the matter.

Here is where you can slide in a kernel of truth or plant a seed of fact that will make them think.

3. Show Compassion

If someone is an inconstant complainer, they may not be entirely toxic.

Some people have accustomed themselves to negativity and chaos, for one reason or another.

Showing a little compassion for them may go a long way in alleviating their incessant need to speak negatively.

Having said that, everyone needs to vent once and a while with knowledge of their safety to do.

But, someone letting off a little steam on occasion is not a Debbie Downer, they’re only human and doing something entirely acceptable within that capacity.

However, if they are the kind of person who believes that “team” spells with an “I,” they have some deep-seated issues to conquer before they even begin to see things from your perspective.

So, do not address their behavior and attitude, especially if it’s clear they do it intentionally.

Do not give them any ammunition to use against you and try to exude compassion all the same.

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