Navigating a Toxic Workplace For Dummies

by Catherine Mattice

Overview

This friendly, compassionate guide is the antidote to workplace toxicity

Toxic workplaces can be bad for your mental and physical health, and they're one of the leading causes of employee turnover. Navigating a Toxic Workplace For Dummies explores what causes work environments to turn sour, and what you—as an employee, manager or leader—can do about it. You'll learn why people engage in toxic behavior like bullying, harassment, exclusion, and disrespect at work. More importantly, you'll gain the tools and skills to counter that behavior with positivity. Every individual, at every level of an organization, can make a difference in detoxifying the workplace. Don't let the stress of your job environment weigh you down. Let this Dummies guide teach you to support yourself and the people around you.

• Discover the signs and symptoms of a toxic workplace
• Learn why people do toxic things, and how to protect yourself
• Get advice on reporting harassment and other behaviors to HR
• Understand how to make organizational change as a manager, HR or leader
• Lead your organization in a detoxification campaign

Navigating a Toxic Workplace For Dummies is a must for anyone who has dealt with or is currently dealing with a toxic situation at work, as well as managers and leaders committed to resolving toxic situations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394326136
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/01/2025
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Catherine Mattice is the founder and CEO of Civility Partners, a consulting firm that has helped over 250 companies detoxify and create respectful and productive workplace cultures. Her 60+ online courses have reached over three million global learners, and she’s a widely regarded keynote speaker on building civil company culture.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Navigating Toxic Workplaces 5

Chapter 1: Recognizing a Toxic Workplace and Its Consequences 7

Chapter 2: Identifying Toxic Behaviors 15

Chapter 3: Understanding How Toxic Workplaces Come to Exist 35

Chapter 4: Examining Legal and Ethical Implications 53

Part 2: Recognizing Everyone’s Roles and Responsibilities 63

Chapter 5: Embracing Your Role in Cultivating Positivity at Work 65

Chapter 6: Engaging in Opportunities for Positive Influence 83

Chapter 7: Creating a Respectful Work Culture: A Manager Superpower 103

Part 3: Strategies for Targets and Witnesses 119

Chapter 8: Building Personal Resilience 121

Chapter 9: Adopting Effective Communication Strategies 135

Chapter 10: Leveraging Your Human Resources Department 151

Chapter 11: Finding and Being an Ally at Work 167

Chapter 12: Navigating Remote and Hybrid Toxic Environments 183

Chapter 13: Navigating the Possibility You’ll Need to Exit 193

Part 4: Strategies for Managers and Human Resources 205

Chapter 14: Addressing Team Conflict Head-On 207

Chapter 15: Setting the Team Up for Success 221

Chapter 16: Advocating for Positive Change 241

Chapter 17: Assessing Your Workplace Culture 251

Chapter 18: Coaching Leaders Who Engage in Workplace Bullying 269

Part 5: Strategies for Leaders and the C-Suite 287

Chapter 19: Seeing Culture as a Competitive Advantage 289

Chapter 20: Leading Through Culture (Or Any) Change 297

Part 6: The Part of Tens 315

Chapter 21: Ten Myths About Toxic Workplaces 317

Chapter 22: Ten Strategies for Speaking Up Against Toxic Behavior 323

Chapter 23: Ten Activities for Leaders to Create a Positive Work Culture 329

Index 335