HR Tip: Managers are key to culture issues - how to avoid a toxic workplace

In today's competitive marketplace, it's distressing to hear that one in two workers have seriously thought about leaving their current job. A recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), The High Cost of a Toxic Workplace Culture: How Culture Impacts the Workforce-and the Bottom Line, notes that many workers consider culture and managers to be closely connected, holding managers responsible for creating a toxic workplace. In fact, 76% of employees say their manager sets the culture of their workplace and 58 percent of employees who quit a job due to workplace culture say that their managers are the main reason they ultimately left.

More findings:

• 1 in 3 say manager does not know how to lead them
• 3 in 10 say manager does not encourage a culture of open and transparent communication
• 1 in 4 dread going to work, don't feel comfortable expressing their opinions, and don't feel respected or valued
• A breakdown in communication is perhaps the most common sign of a toxic atmosphere at work

The report notes that even if the culture is not toxic, but "average," it's not enough. Employees still think about leaving and aren't likely to recommend the organization to a friend. Managers can build strong and positive workplaces by listening to employees, holding workers and leaders accountable for their actions, setting expectations, and clarifying information.

Workplace culture is a critical business asset and employees see the company through their immediate boss. Is the culture you have the culture you want? How well does the individual manager's behavior reflect the organization's core values? What steps are needed to keep values and actions aligned?