Tips: 7 signs your work team is toxic

You may be in a toxic team – here are the warning signs:

1) Bullying and bad behaviour are ignored, excused or even encouraged.

2) People regularly cry at work or shout at each other.

3) Team banter makes other colleagues feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or left out.

4) People make excuses for each other like 'don't mind her, she's always like that', or 'ignore him, he doesn't mean it'.

5 People are indiscrete, unprofessional or spread gossip.

6) People are overworked, underpaid or unfairly treated, for example being expected to answer emails at all hours.

7) There's a culture of fear – no one wants to say anything because they worry about being targeted.

We all have a responsibility to each other to improve the way we all behave at work. 

Anyone in a team, whether the team leader or a team member can intervene to fix a toxic team: 

1. Ask for things to improve 

2. Focus on behaviour not people: 

3. Speak up early if it happens again 

4. Name and explain unacceptable behaviour 

5. Seek support