Human resources professionals are at the forefront of creating positive cultural change within the workplace. Part of this task includes understanding and identifying elements of toxic work environments. This week, we are highlighting the signs and real-world impacts of harmful workplace cultures, including toxicity in hybrid workplaces, how such cultures affect employees’ mental health, and how to address unconscious biases. We’re also sharing the latest news from an organization publicly trying to transform its toxic workplace culture. 

Ask These 10 Questions to Find Out if Your Hybrid Workplace Could be Toxic

As companies emerge from the pandemic, 90 percent of them plan to implement some version of a hybrid in-person/remote work environment. The dynamics and functions of hybrid work are novel to many HR professionals, and those in HR are busy developing policies aimed at avoiding potential pitfalls that could create a damaging work culture. Here are 10 signs of a toxic hybrid workplace (and it’s no surprise to us that many of them center around communication and technology). Read the 10 questions to ask about your hybrid workplace.

Toxic Workplaces Can Triple Employees’ Risk of Depression

Bullying in the workplace has numerous negative consequences, and according to a recent Australian study, one consequence is increased depression among employees. Researchers found that workplace bullying—along with burnout—is a major contributor to harmful cultures that can triple the risk of depression. This has financial as well as ethical repercussions, as depressed employees are less engaged, less productive, and more likely to miss work. Leaders need to prioritize what the researchers call a high psychosocial safety climate (PSC) in order to support their employees’ mental health. Read more about the study.

Five Myths on Unconscious Bias – and How to Tackle the Issue

No matter how committed HR professionals are to ensuring hiring practices are free from bias, the problem of unconscious bias still exists. After all, how can people address biases that they aren’t even aware they have? A good start is to debunk some common myths about unconscious bias. One myth, for example, is that there’s little that can be done about it. Once we’ve unpacked this and other myths, we can work towards identifying and eliminating unconscious bias. Learn four more myths about unconscious bias.

Mets Try to Improve Workplace Culture With New Guidelines

The longtime head of HR for the New York Mets was fired last week after a law firm auditing the organization’s culture completed its investigation. The firing is the latest in a string of terminations that have happened since new owner Steven Cohen came on board last year. In a letter last week to employees, Cohen pledged major cultural changes and announced the departure of the HR head and a legal counsel member. The letter is making headlines as the Mets become the latest of many organizations attempting to overhaul a toxic work environment. Learn more about how the Mets are addressing their toxic culture.