Confronting negativity in the workplace

By Nishwa Ashraf, Editorial Assistant, Melcrum

Moaners, groaners and whiners.

We’ve all had the misfortune of working with them. The cynic who shoots down an idea before it’s even thought, the complainer who scoffs at the mention of the word “team” – team meetings, team lunches, team efforts - the critic who, despite the best intentions of the company remains permanently unsatisfied.

Moaning employees might seem like a minor inconvenience, but nothing affects employee morale more insidiously than persistent workplace negativity. Not only does it sap energy out of your organization, but it also diverts critical attention from work, performance and productivity.

We all face problems and frustrations at work from time to time, but complaining endlessly doesn't lead to solutions, but rather perpetuates and magnifies the problem, creating a contagion of bad feeling, and ultimately a disengaged workforce.

As an internal communications professional, keeping your finger on the pulse of the organization enables you to establish and heed early warning signals that all is not well in the workplace.

In some cases it could simply be that the person doesn’t enjoy their job, and doesn’t want to be there.

But perhaps it’s more than that.

Perhaps the organization made a decision that adversely affected staff. It could be that rumors are circulating of an impending layoff. Perhaps an influential leader held a meeting and was perceived to ignore staff asking legitimate questions. Maybe some feel that they give more than they receive in the organization.

Whatever the cause of workplace negativity, the issue must be dealt with head on.

Start by identifying the exact employee groups experiencing this negativity and the nature of the issues that sparked the gloominess. Monitor discussions on employee intranets, coach managers in appropriate employee treatment and manage the appraisal and 360 feedback process. This knowledge will aid you in identifying symptoms of negativity before its morale busting consequences further damage your workplace environment.

How does your organization battle negativity within the workplace? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Comments

[Victor Aberdeen]

Great article, I was worried that it would be the usual platitudes, but no you got right to the issue and with great advice. If I would add two things:

1 With integrity, say what you mean and mean what you say or you will be the best fuel for moaner.

2 Create an environment that is exceptional, that makes work a pleasure, where the stress and problems shared and resolved.

Good luck...

[One Time]

It really does not matter what business you are in, there are always complainers. The key, as you mentioned is to root them out and remove them.

I often find the most negative people try to hide behind the statement "I am just being the devil's advocate..."

My issue with that statement is they are ALWAYS devils advocate.

I find value in differences of opinion, but there is a difference between complaining, and commenting.

There is a difference between whining and describing.

There is certainly a difference between, helping and hindering. Most of the time complainers are hindering.