College Connection | Winter 2024
Helpful steps to cultivate a healthy work environment
College Connection | Winter 2024
PART TWO : TOXIC WORKPLACE
Helpful steps to cultivate a healthy work environment
By Dr . Debbie Stoewen
Workplace culture is fluid and ever-changing , shaped by human behaviour . As cited in Part I ( College Connection Fall Edition ), it lies along a continuum , extending from the unhealthiest ( i . e ., most toxic ) culture to the healthiest ( i . e ., most nontoxic ) culture . As such , there is room for improvement in virtually every workplace .
Cultivating a healthy workplace culture involves assessing your practice , setting expectations , being accountable for deviant behaviour , promoting positivity and ensuring effective two-way communication . Culture is ever-evolving , and it ’ s up to everyone to make their workplace the best it can be . 1
Assess your practice
First , take an honest look at your practice culture . This means pausing and sensing what is happening around you . What are you seeing , hearing , and feeling ? Does it fit the kind of workplace that you desire ? 1 If not , “ start a conversation .”
Traditionally the responsibility for workplace culture has been expected of those holding positions of leadership , 2 , 3 but many organizations are adopting a shared responsibility model wherein everyone plays a role to assess , envision , cultivate , and improve the shared environment . 1 To enable everyone ’ s voices , including those who may be hesitant to speak up , an anonymous survey could be offered . Learn where the strengths and opportunities for improvement lie .
Set expectations
Review your policies and practices regarding appropriate workplace behaviour and offer coaching and training to prevent and address toxic behaviours . 4 , 5 Set a zero-tolerance policy for incivility , bullying , violence , harassment , and discrimination . Pay special attention to equity , diversity , and inclusion ( EDI ); this will help address structural racism , ableism , and implicit bias . 4 Setting policies will not only improve your workplace culture , but it will also comply with provincial legal requirements . 4 , 5 , 6 , 7
Some toxic behaviours can be a breach of an employee ’ s human rights and ‘ health and safety ’ rights , and be the foundation for actions against the employer . 5 Review and refresh your hiring policies and practices . Include interview questions that affirm the applicant ’ s values align with a positive workplace culture .
Be accountable
Undesirable behaviours and conflicts must be promptly investigated and resolved , ensuring everyone is treated equally and fairly . 2 , 4 , 5 Approach those who are involved , invite them to share their story , give them feedback and the opportunity to correct their behaviour , and follow-up , applying consequences if the behaviour doesn ’ t change . 8 At times , the consequence may be dismissal .
To effectively address behaviours and conflict , consider extra training for team leaders in leadership and
communication skills . 2
Promote positivity
Highlight times when the team works well together , share client accolades , celebrate success stories , and show appreciation . 8 All promote positivity . Humour does too . It relieves tension , builds trust , boosts morale , facilitates better relationships , and cultivates a positive workplace culture . 9
Offering and responding to periodic workplace wellness audits , which assess the extent that staff feel supported , encouraged , and treated fairly , also promotes positivity . 4
Communicate effectively
As quoted in Harvard Business Review , “ To achieve the desired culture , everyone must have a clear , consistent , common understanding of it — and everyone must work together in a deliberate and coordinated effort to cultivate it ”. 1 Assess your practice together , set agreed-upon expectations together ,
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