The 8 types of toxic workers

People are very diverse and this diversity is very visible in the world of organizations, where many people with different personality traits have to work together.

On many occasions everything goes well, with those who work more and others who work a little less, however, sometimes it happens that workers have ways of being that do a lot of damage to the organization, and that must be corrected in some way shape.

They are various the types of toxic workers that we can find in a company and then we will see the top 8.

• Related article: "Psychology of work and organizations: a profession with a future"

The most important types of toxic workers in companies

Some would say that a company is a reflection of society, both in the good and in the hand. In the same way that in the real world there are a diversity of people, each with their own personality and way of doing things, workers in a company cannot detach themselves from their traits temperamental. Each one works to the extent that his capacity and his way of being leaves them, with those who work more and others who work a little less and, unfortunately, there are also those who do not work at all or do it in a very dysfunctional.

Although it is expected that in our company everyone will do their part and try to make an effort to make the organization go well, yes it is true that sometimes we can meet people who seem to forget that they live in a society and the company is part of her. There are disruptive, self-centered, conflictive and, in short, workers who exert a harmful influence that do a lot of damage to the company. Here are the 8 types of toxic workers and some tips to prevent them from ruining our company.

1. The troublesome

The problem worker is just that, that person who, with what he does, generates more problems than it solves. His way of working is incompetent, erratic and unreliable and, since on many occasions he does not know how to do his job well or does not put much desire in him, he really does not manage to fix anything. Relying heavily on others to solve his own mistakes causes others to lose concentration on their tasks, which generates general frustration.

2. The lazy

The lazy and lazy worker he avoids working by absorbing the time, enthusiasm and energy of other workers. Despite the fact that he has all the tools, knowledge and strategies necessary to carry out the employment of him, he does not take his side or, in case of doing his part, he gets to it very late in reality he ends up being a rather unproductive member of the organization. He says that he does it at his own pace and, on many occasions, he doesn't care how rushed his boss and his colleagues are because of him.

3. The martyr

The martyr is just the opposite of the bum. It is about a character that insists on doing absolutely everything, even what he can't get done.

He is quite a worker, but not in the positive sense of the expression, but he wants everyone to know how much he sacrifices doing things that do not touch him. The problem is that by working more than you can and you have to, you run the risk of doing the wrong things, plus it leaves you without work to those who do know how to do it, causing a bad final result and unbalancing the rest of the team.

• You may be interested in: "Dysfunctional perfectionism: causes, symptoms and treatment"

4. The social

In every office we can find people with a certain degree of humor, who make our day with their jokes and jokes. That's fine, but taken to the toxic point we have the figure of the social. Is about an extroverted person who entertains and distracts others, more than he should. He gossips, tells jokes all the time, and talks too much, disrupting the pace of work. And if to all this we add the fact that many of them love drama, we have an individual who can bring tension to the organization.

5. The disturber

The disturber is that person who, as his name indicates, disturbs the good climate of the organization.

There are those who prefer to call him the psychopathic worker, since he leaves a trail of destruction and discord wherever he goes. It creates a hostile, uncomfortable and tense work environment, affecting the morale and, consequently, the effectiveness of all workers. If he doesn't like someone, he harasses him, sabotages his projects and manipulates others to turn against him, even his own boss.

• You may be interested in: "Mobbing: psychological harassment at work"

6. The renegade

In every company there is someone who, after telling him how things are done, training him and advising him not to make certain mistakes, he ignores and goes to his own way.

It has its own rules, its own method, even if that means putting the company's income at risk. He improvises and makes decisions that are outside his powers. He does not take the client's relationship seriously, he thinks he knows more than others and does things according to his method, without thinking about whether it could harm his colleagues. The word protocol doesn't tell you anything.

• You may be interested in: "Administration sciences: what they are, characteristics and functions"

7. The sunken

The sunk, also called by some as the loser, is that worker who unfortunately fails by nature. He is characterized by not believing in his abilities, not knowing how to manage his emotions of discouragement and dejection well and, on many occasions, have a very low self-esteem.

He does not have to be a toxic person, but it is clear that his way of being in the company damages the operation of the company. If he has succeeded in the past, he considers it a product of chance or attributes the credit to others.

8. The bad leader

The bad leader is one of the worker profiles that can bring worst things to the organization. They are people who become very toxic workers because it is certain that they will drag other employees of the company. They are also those people who are unable to see the merits of others, attributing themselves to what their subordinates have done and seeing them as mere means to achieve their purposes. They are unable to delegate because, in doing so, they feel they lose power.

What to do if we have toxic workers?

The presence of a toxic worker is a risk for the company. We must manage to generate an environment of trust where workers feel free to tell us as bosses what bothers them or, if there is a human resources team, that Department. The worker should feel free and comfortable to explain his concerns, knowing that he hopes that he will be taken seriously..

Some basic tips to follow are:

• Don't ignore the problem
• Intervene at the slightest sign of conflict between workers
• Investigate the problem thoroughly
• Help the toxic worker to stop being toxic.

As for the toxic worker, if we have already done everything in our power to correct the situation, from intensive training, emotion and time management as well as anti-bullying protocols, but it doesn't seem like he's doing his part or There are still serious problems between him and the rest of the workers, the only measure that can nip the problem in the bud will have to be taken: The dismissal.