From the subtle art of backstabbing to the not-so-subtle art of credit-stealing, here’s a rundown of 21 toxic office behaviors that should be kicked to the curb. If you spot these in your workplace, it’s time to call them out—because really, we’re all too grown-up for this nonsense.
#1. Gossip Mongering
Churning out rumors faster than a tabloid, gossip mongers create a whirlwind of mistrust. Cut it out, and maybe focus on your spreadsheet instead?
#2. Credit Stealing
Nothing screams ‘insecurity’ louder than someone who snatches credit for others’ work. If you can’t acknowledge your team’s efforts, you’re not a leader; you’re just a leech.
#3. Micromanaging
Oh, the joy of having someone breathe down your neck! Micromanagers need to chill—trust your team, and let them breathe.
#4. Passive Aggressiveness
Leaving snide notes or sending cryptic emails? Just say what you mean, folks. Passive-aggressive behavior doesn’t make you mysterious, just annoying.
#5. Excessive Complaining
Yes, we all hate Mondays, but complaining incessantly won’t make Friday come any faster. It just makes everyone else’s week drag too.
#6. Sabotaging Others
Sabotage is not a career strategy. Undermining colleagues won’t elevate your status—everyone sees through it, and karma is a boomerang.
#7. Withholding Information
Hoarding information like it’s the last slice of pizza doesn’t make you powerful, it makes you a bottleneck. Share the knowledge, don’t choke on it.
#8. Non-Constructive Criticism
If your feedback doesn’t come with advice on how to improve, then it’s just plain old criticism. And nobody has time for that.
#9. Ignoring Boundaries
Respect personal space and professional boundaries. Your colleagues aren’t your family—so maybe hold back on the bear hugs and life stories.
#10. Overpromising and Underdelivering
Stop talking a big game if you can’t play it. Consistently failing to meet commitments just makes you unreliable and untrustworthy.
#11. Inflexibility
The ‘my way or the highway’ approach is so last century. Adaptability is key—otherwise, you’re just roadblocking progress.
#12. Not Listening
Being heard is a basic human need, so when you don’t listen, it says you don’t care. Zip it and tune in.
#13. Disrespecting Others’ Time
Time is money, people! Being perpetually late or unprepared isn’t just rude, it’s expensive.
#14. Workplace Bullying
Intimidation and bullying? This isn’t the schoolyard. Grow up, or get out.
#15. Unwillingness to Collaborate
If you’re not playing well with others, you might be in the wrong sandbox. Collaboration is the cornerstone of success.
#16. Exclusion
Nothing says ‘clique’ like a closed circle. If you’re leaving people out on purpose, you’re just building walls.
#17. Lack of Empathy
Empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. If you can’t understand others’ feelings, you might as well be a robot.
#18. Overuse of Jargon
Cut the corporate speak. Communicate clearly—because no one has time to decode your buzzwords.
#19. Playing the Blame Game
Stop pointing fingers and start taking responsibility. Blame is the laziest form of problem-solving.
#20. Resistance to Change
Change is inevitable, like death and taxes. Resist, and you’ll just get left behind.
#21. Taking Undue Credit
If you’re basking in the spotlight for something you didn’t do, enjoy it—it won’t last. Honesty and integrity always come out on top.
Time for a Clean-Up!
Seriously, if your office is rife with these behaviors, it’s time for a cultural detox. Let’s promote a workspace where integrity, teamwork, and respect are the norms, not the exceptions. Anything less just isn’t where you want to be.
The post 21 Toxic Office Behaviors That Should Be Banished first appeared on Mama Say What?!
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ground Picture.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
