Negativity in workplace, a strict NO!

It’s difficult to control negativity, but avoiding and dealing correctly will erase the negativity in the workplace. The best way to deal workplace negativity is to keep it from occurring in the first place. Early warnings like employee complaints, survey’s, exit interviews with employees whose experience is sore, discussions on Intranets, appraisal feedbacks,360-degree feedback process, and coach managers informs us about the environment in the workplace.

How can you avoid Negativity in workplace?  Knowing what people are negative about is the first step in solving the problem. Communication with the employees will lead to understanding the exact problem & the degree to which the problem are impacting the workplace. Interactive discussion, exercise & case studies will help in learning where the negativity is coming from.

1. HR’s & Managers should be trained & they should be careful  on displaying their own emotions to the other staffs. It takes second’s to react & emulate the manager’s good or bad reactions. Listen to the employee’s complaints until they feel that they are heard & listened to.

2. Treat your employee as adult. Apply workplace policies and procedures consistently & fairly.

3. Clarity about mission vision, values & goals should be imbibed to the employees & make them understand that they are a part of the organisation.The desired outcome of the company would be theirs too. Reward & recognize the employee who contributes to the value.

4. Provide opportunity for the employee who can express their opinion and can provide some inputs in policies and procedures.

A rumor circulating about an impending layoff, appraisal which is not in favor of the employee, negative feedbacks is some of the reasons which make the employee feel left out. These reasons should be sensitively treated and if possible anonymity should be assured. HR must be alert and treat the workplace negativity in priority basis, assuring the employee that the organization needs him and there is no way organization is against the employee!