Negativity at the Workplace

The financial performance of a company is heavily influenced by the emotions of the employees. Strong positive emotions ensure better financial results while negative emotions tend to increase the turnover rates. Negative emotions or negativity hinder growth, productivity and overall happiness at the workplace. Negativity tends to threaten the future of the company and its employees. It is very contagious and can soon spread across the various echelons of hierarchy in an organization. Negative behaviors can sometimes have serious business impacts.

Right diagnosis helps in curing the existent negativity. If a company misinterprets the underlying causes, there are many chances for its efforts to boomerang. The causes should be carefully identified and the problems should be immediately addressed. Recent human resource studies suggest that work overload is one of the significant reasons for workplace negativity. The most common cause for negative emotions is the lack of sufficient recognition for the efforts put in. Monotony in the nature of the work and boredom are said to increase frustration. The other reason is the presence of a huge gap between employees’ expectations of their work and their actual work. Numerous techniques are available to combat negativity. These techniques help maintain a healthy organizational culture.

Individual perspective

Trivial issues such as technical snags at work and irate customers can frustrate. However, when negativity becomes an everyday companion, it impedes creativity and enthusiasm and can go to the extent of creating perpetual negative attitudes. It reflects the greater problems beyond the control of the individual and harms the effectiveness of the employee.

1. The individual has to recognize his negative thoughts and try to act upon them.
2. Managing stress plays an important role.
3. Communication with managers and coworkers often helps resolve many issues.
4. An optimistic outlook towards work life is a successful antidote in many cases.
5. Employees should be averse to gossip and rumors.
6. It is not obstinate to completely avoid negative people at work. Saying no or walking away from negative vibes is always advisable.

Organizational/HR staff perspective

To prevent negativity at the first place is better than trying to cure the framework later. The leaders and managers can consider the following factors to avoid negativity from appearing.

1. Employees should be involved in the process of decision making. People become pessimistic when unfavorable decisions about their jobs are taken by the superiors. They are more frustrated if the decisions are taken without their input.
2. All the employees should be able to voice their opinions regarding company policies and procedures. The motivational factors such as pay, benefits, & working conditions should be carefully dealt with.
3. Rules should not be enforced on employees. They are all mature enough to recognize the norms and follow them.
4. Communication gaps add more fuel to the fire. Transparency in information flow is always helpful.
5. The team leaders or organizational leaders should be able to imbibe the missions, visions, values, and goals of the organization into every individual.
6. Proper rewards for contribution enhance job satisfaction for each employee. The overall morale can also be enhanced through a justifiable rewards system.


Creating a learning environment always helps solve all negativity problems. In a learning organization, employees learn to identify their job as a part of a whole interdependent system. This attitude is useful to enhance job satisfaction. Every employee shares the mission of the organization and strives to reach his potential. Clarity in objectives can be achieved and individuals can take part in the decision making process.

Interestingly, most of the successful teams and companies have few things in common - a common goal, result oriented structure, unity in commitment, collaborative climate & good leadership.