Tips for Minimizing Workplace Negativity

HR professionals may know better than anyone that a positive work environment can foster better morale, greater productivity, and higher employer retention. In comparison, a negative atmosphere can drain the life out of a workplace and cause conflict between employees, poor time management and decreased productivity.

HR managers are often the first to hear about negativity at work, whether through employee complaints, exit interviews or company intranet or social media chatter. Whether the cause is a cut back on employee perks, a management decision that is perceived as a bad move, the fear of layoffs or a combination of factors, negative environments can lead to disengaged employees. Disconnected employees may show up to work, but often don’t make positive contributions to the company.

It’s important to decrease workplace negativity because if left untreated, it has the potential to adversely affect an entire company. Try implementing these tips:

• TAKE THE EMPLOYEE’S INPUT TO MAKE ANY DECISION
• MAKE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ABOUT WORKPLACE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
• TREAT PEOPLE EQUALLY
• WHEN JUST A FEW PEOPLE ARE VIOLATING THE NORMS YOU SHOULD NOT CREATE THE RULE FOR ALL
• HELP PEOPLE FEEL LIKE MEMBERS
• AFFORD PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND DEVELOP
• PROVIDE APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP AND A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING MISSION, VISION, VALUES, AND GOALS
• PROVIDE APPROPRIATE REWARDS AND RECOGNITION SO PEOPLE FEEL THEIR CONTRIBUTION IS VALUED
• Try to resolve conflict that belongs to individual

1. TAKE THE EMPLOYEE’S INPUT TO MAKE ANY DECISION
The most frequent reason for workplace negativity is when a manager makes a decision about a person’s work without his input. Almost any decision that excludes the input of the person doing the work is perceived as negative. In my workplace, we want to eliminate this negativity through hundred percent involvement of the employees in any particular task.

2. MAKE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ABOUT WORKPLACE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Recognize the impact of changes in such areas as work hours, pay, benefits, overtime hours, dress code, office locations, job requirements and working conditions. These factors are closer to the heart, mind, and presence of each individual. Changes to these can cause serious negative responses to questions and concerns. To minimize this type of negativity we have a meeting with all managers in every month so that they can share their as well as their subordinates’ opinions.

3. TREAT PEOPLE EQUALLY
Develop and publicize workplace policies and procedures that organize workplace effectively. Apply them consistently. As an example, each employee has the opportunity to apply for leave time. In granting his request, apply the same factors to his application as you would to any other individual as everyone wants to be treated in the same manner.

4. FEW PEOPLE VIOLATING SHOULD NOT CREATE THE RULE FOR ALL
You want to minimize the number of rules directing the behavior of adult people at work. Treat people as adults, they will usually live up to your expectations, and their own expectations.

5. HELP PEOPLE FEEL LIKE MEMBERS
Provide the context for decisions and communicate effectively and constantly. If several directions are under consideration, communicate all that you know as soon as you know it. If they don’t feel like members then the output will never be satisfactory.

6. AFFORD PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND DEVELOP
Training, perceived opportunities for promotions, lateral moves for development, and cross-training are visible signs of an organization’s commitment to staff. Employees are never bored as they are moved continuously in different projects.

7. PROVIDE APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP AND A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING MISSION, VISION, VALUES, AND GOALS
People want to feel as if they are part of something bigger than themselves. If they understand the direction, and their part in making the desired outcomes happen, they can effectively contribute more.

8. PROVIDE APPROPRIATE REWARDS AND RECOGNITION SO PEOPLE FEEL THEIR CONTRIBUTION IS VALUED
The power of appropriate rewards and recognition for a positive workplace is remarkable. Managers just need to find out the good works of their subordinates and keep rewarding on those and advertising those to all.

9. TRY TO RESOLVE CONFLICT THAT BELONGS TO INDIVIDUAL
Sometimes negativity workplace could be within the department. In this case department manager should handle the resource instead forward the case to HR. Department manager should listen the root cause by which conflict occur and try resolve the conflict with win-win situation.

Take some time to analyze how well your organization is applying these seven recommendations. They form the foundation for positive staff morale and minimized negativity in your workplace.