Less than one in ten cases (6%) of dealing with a toxic employee in the workplace are successfully resolved, according to research*.

Employers surveyed said in half (50%) of cases where an employee has been challenged regarding toxic behaviour, the issue has continued and requests to address their attitude have been ignored. A further 20 per cent of employers said the employee was disciplined but the misconduct continued. In other cases, the employee had already left or was dismissed.

The survey of 466 UK employers also revealed that long-serving members of staff are the biggest culprits, with over half (58%) of employers reporting that these employees exhibit toxic behaviour the most.

When confronted about their conduct, the most common response from employees was to deflect blame onto others (38%). In almost as many cases (37%), employees initially acknowledged the feedback and appeared receptive to change before reverting to type. Just over one in ten (13%) cases resulted in the employee lodging a grievance.

When toxic behaviour is identified, nearly one quarter (23%) of employers feel they can’t address it due to a lack of any clear evidence to base conversations around.

Toyah Marshall, Principal Employment Law Adviser and Solicitor at WorkNest, said: “Identifying toxic employees can be challenging, as they often possess certain traits that may not be immediately obvious. They may be adept at hiding their true nature during the hiring process or disguise their toxicity under a facade of professionalism. However, their detrimental effects become evident over time, as their toxic behavior begins to unravel.”

In addition, a third (33%) of employers blame their inaction on a lack of appropriate policies and training, and 23 per cent say they fear the potential repercussions.​

“Toxic behaviour doesn’t usually just right itself”, says Toyah. “Managers need to be equipped to handle these situations, otherwise there’s a low chance of improvement.”

Whilst a toxic persona can encompass various characteristics, when broken down into three ‘personas’, they can be categorised as ‘a disruptor’, ‘a narcissist’ and an ‘aggravator’.

Of these identified personas, 44 per cent of employers categorised their toxic employee(s) as ‘Disruptors’, those who are constantly complaining and demonstrate a reluctance to change, making them the most frequently encountered type in the workplace. 31 per cent said theirs fitted the ‘Narcissist’ persona, while 24 percent said they fell into the ‘Aggravator’ type.

Mary McGeady, Senior HR Consultant at WorkNest, commented: “These different shades of toxic employees present their own unique challenges, and some are easier to spot than others.

“The ‘Disruptor’ personality is most common according to our research, but businesses must deal with ‘Disruptors’ tactfully, as a heavy-handed approach may breed further resentment and exacerbate the issue. It’s often far more constructive with this type to pitch discussions as a collaborative conversation rather than a telling off, at least initially.

“The behaviours of an ‘Aggravator’ meanwhile may be easily identifiable and akin to bullying, but the more covert nature of a ‘Narcissist’s’ behavior may require careful observation to recognise and address.

“Overall, it appears managers are woefully ill equipped to deal with situations involving toxic employees. Effective strategies that not only address the issue but also promote lasting behavioural change are needed. Creating a supportive environment that encourages open communication, providing ongoing feedback and support, and addressing underlying issues can contribute to a more successful resolution of toxic behavior and the cultivation of a healthier work culture.”

*research by WorkNest