5 Ways to Give Feedback to a Toxic Worker About Their Toxic Behavior

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:5 mins read

If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you’re looking for answers. Maybe you’ve tried everything, or maybe you’re bracing yourself for a conversation you’d rather not have. Or you don’t know how to give feedback to a toxic worker about their behavior. Either way, we see you. Dealing with…

It’s Not All in Your Head: 5 Signs You’re In a Toxic Workplace

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:6 mins read

If you’ve ever questioned whether your workplace is truly toxic or if you’re just “overreacting,” you’re not alone. The truth is, if work feels unbearable day after day, it’s not a bad week—it’s a bigger problem and can be signs you’re in a toxic workplace. Research confirms that toxic workplaces…

Struggling with a Toxic Boss? Read This

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Did you know that seven in ten U.S. workers say they would leave a job if they had a bad manager? That’s according to the latest findings of LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence survey. Leaders who exhibit challenging behaviors don’t just cost their organizations talented employees, they also impact the bottom line…

NEW BOOK: Navigating a Toxic Work Environment for Dummies

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Does your workplace feel like a daily battle for survival? Endless conflict, backstabbing, bullying, and leadership that turns a blind eye… Sound familiar? For too many professionals, the workplace isn’t a place of productivity and growth; it’s a source of anxiety and stress. Toxic behaviors, dysfunctional cultures, and unchecked hostility…

DEI needed if hiring on merit is your goal

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:12 mins read

Trump has initiated a series of actions aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. On January 20, he signed Executive Order 14151, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” directing the Office of Management and Budget to terminate all DEI-related mandates…

The Transformative Power of Hands-On vs. AI Training

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  • Reading time:6 mins read

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the workplace, and HR functions are no exception. From recruitment to onboarding and even manager training, AI-based platforms are becoming the go-to solution for many organizations. These programs promise scalable, customizable courses with instant feedback and on-demand accessibility, an enticing prospect for companies seeking efficiency.…

Get Buy-In From the Top! Email To Your Boss

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  • Reading time:3 mins read

When you’ve discovered a valuable resource or service that could benefit your organization, getting buy-in from leadership is critical.  Use this email template to propose Civility Partners’ services to your boss. Simply customize the placeholders with your own insights and ideas.   Email Template Dear [Boss’s Name], Recently, I participated…

Fostering Civil Conversations at Work

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

SHRM’s Civility Index Research shows that U.S. workers collectively experience 223 million acts of incivility per day and U.S. organizations collectively lose about $2 billion per day in reduced productivity and absenteeism because of it.  You’ve probably seen it firsthand: disagreements turn personal, tempers flare, and teams fracture.  When a…

Managing Emotions at Work After the Inauguration

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Next week marks the presidential inauguration, a time that often stirs strong emotions in the workplace. Excitement, disappointment, frustration, or even anxiety can find their way into daily interactions. Employees may consciously or unconsciously bring their political wins or losses into the office, and if left unchecked, these emotions can…

January Jitters: 4 Tips for Keeping Morale High After the Holidays

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Happy New Year! Now that we’re all back to the grind, let’s talk about January’s reputation as the least productive month of the year. The post-holiday slump is real – teams return to work with noticeably less pep in their step.   This time of year can feel like you’re trying…

3 Stories That Prove Positive Culture Change is Possible

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:7 mins read

When SHRM launched their #CivilityAtWork initiative, it felt like a rallying cry for everything we believe in and have been fighting for these last 15 years. Respectful, thriving workplaces are the dream we all share, but let’s be real—getting there isn’t always easy. In fact, 70% of leaders admit they…

A Look Back and Look Forward: Where Are You Headed with Culture?

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Culture can make or break a workplace. If that sounds dramatic, but consider this: 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe a strong workplace culture is critical to business success, yet 69% of employees say their organizations lack a culture where feedback is valued and encouraged. The gap between…

Celebrate the Season Without Dividing Your Team: Inclusive Holiday Tips

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

The holiday season may be billed as the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s often a minefield of conflicts waiting to happen. Holidays are deeply personal, sparking joy and nostalgia for some while leaving others feeling excluded or stressed. With 44% of Millennials and nearly 50% of Gen…

3 Ways to Manage Post-Election Stress at Work and Home This Holiday Season

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Elections are more than debates and opinions—they’re emotional whirlwinds that don’t end when the polls close. This year, presidential election stress is breaking records, with reported levels higher than in both 2020 and 2016. And the fallout lingers. A University of Nevada study found that moderate to severe anxiety and…

Post-Election Chaos: 3 Ways to Keep Psychological Safety Intact

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of Americans view political discourse as a significant source of stress, and workplaces are no exception. In fact, SHRM reports that political and social tensions have driven workplace incivility to an all-time high this year. No wonder, the ripple…

Your CEO thinks HR is operational, not strategic?

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Do these comments resonate with you?  Owners don’t understand that we’re not just paperwork. HR is a punching bag expected to resolve everyone’s mess. There’s no HR budget, no support, and a team of 2 for 300+ employees. Even after a workforce survey, leadership still won’t listen to me!  …

5 Tools for Pitching Culture Change to Leadership

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:6 mins read

You already know that a strong culture leads to engaged employees, lower turnover, and a healthier bottom line, but convincing leadership? That’s a different story. It’s exhausting pushing for changes that are dismissed as “soft skills” or shot down because they don’t offer an immediate ROI. Sound familiar? You’re not…

Why leadership’s ‘Hands-Off’ approach to culture is costing you more than you think

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:6 mins read

Picture this: you’re actively working to foster a positive workplace culture, but managers and leaders are adopting a ‘hands-off’ approach. At first, it seems harmless, even convenient—but beneath the surface, it’s quietly wreaking havoc. Top talent? They’re slipping away unnoticed. And while you’re busy chasing other priorities, the very core…

Elections and Leadership: 3 Ways Your Reaction Can Impact Your Team

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Election season tends to bring division and tension, and it’s hard to avoid. Even if you’ve reminded your team to steer clear of political conversations at work, it’s likely that the topic will still pop up here and there. The truth is, having employees with different views isn’t the problem.…

Measuring Recruiting and Hiring Success: Key Metrics to Track

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

In the past, recruiting was often a “spray and pray” approach—posting job openings everywhere and hoping the right candidate would find their way to us, even faxing over their resumes. Thankfully, recruiting today is far more strategic, thanks to the internet and advances in technology. To truly evaluate the success…

5 Tips You Haven’t Seen for Engaging Hybrid And Remote Workers

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

According to Forbes, one in five workers is working remotely and 98% of workers want to work remotely at least some of the time. Yet, despite the flexibility that hybrid and remote work offer, engagement is a major challenge. In fact, the 2023 State of Remote Work report by Buffer…

Measuring Onboarding Effectiveness: Key Metrics for Success

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

Having an employee orientation program is a great start. It usually involves getting paperwork signed, introducing new hires around the office, and providing some initial training. But are you truly onboarding your employees? Effective onboarding is more than just a warm welcome—it’s about integrating new hires into your company’s culture…

HR Ninja-ing: 9 ways to impact culture with $0 budget

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  • Reading time:7 mins read

Workplace culture is an uphill battle when the budget is tight or, worse, nonexistent. You’re expected to create a thriving, engaged workforce, but the reality is harsh: Gallup reports that only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged at work. Meanwhile, disengaged employees are costing companies a staggering $450 to $550…

It’s Labor Day: Are you celebrating your workers or burning them out?

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

This last Labor Day should have been a day of rest—a chance for employees to recharge and reflect on the contributions they’ve made to their organizations. But for many workers, the reality was likely far from relaxing. A 2023 Gallup survey shows that only 32% of U.S. employees feel engaged…

Make a Positive Impact & Earn $ With Civility Partners

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

You read our blog every week because you care about an inclusive work environment for all individuals at all levels. Either you consult in a similar space, or want to have an impact on your own workplace. For the past 15 years, Civility Partners has been on a mission to…

How to Coach Abrasive, or Bullying Leaders

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  • Reading time:9 mins read

Consider that abrasive leaders, or workplace bullies, engage in aggressive behavior mainly because they’ve been allowed to by their own boss, even encouraged to through promotions, accolades and increased pay.  Their high value to the organization (e.g., sales, organizational knowledge, professional network) means leadership works around them or ignores their…

MIT, Glassdoor, and Deloitte all say people care more about culture than pay: Why aren’t you focused on culture?

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:5 mins read

Research everywhere speaks volumes. It consistently highlights a significant shift: People care more about workplace culture than their salaries. So, why aren’t more companies prioritizing workplace culture?   The Disconnect: Why Culture Gets Overlooked Here are some common reasons: Many leaders prioritize immediate financial gains over long-term cultural investments, forgetting…

3 Reasons Your Hiring Process is Too Lengthy and How to Fix it

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

Hiring the right person is essential, but a drawn-out hiring process can harm your organization more than you might realize. Missed opportunities, decreased productivity, and losing top candidates to competitors are just a few of the costly consequences. While being thorough in interviews is important, taking too long can be…

Concerned about discussions of opposing political views at work?

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Election season is here, bringing with it a flood of discussions, debates, and distractions. Add global tensions dominating the news, and it’s easy to see why employees might struggle to stay focused… especially if they have opposing views from their colleagues… and are discussing those opposing views at work.  Sounds…

3 Savvy Ways to Spend Your Budget Surplus

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  • Reading time:5 mins read

It’s halfway through the year, and for some companies, the fiscal year is wrapping up, leaving them with an unexpected budget surplus.  While it might be tempting to funnel these extra funds into new equipment or throw after-hours parties, there’s a more strategic opportunity at hand. Investing in initiatives that…

Implicit Bias Training That Works

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

A significant barrier to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce is implicit bias. Implicit bias occurs when, for instance, you hear the word “engineer” and immediately assume it is a man, or hear “teacher” and assume it is a woman. Have you ever been guilty of this? Many of us…

Your Culture Matters as Much as Your Legal Compliance

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  • Reading time:6 mins read

Legal compliance serves as the bedrock of any organization. While it lays the foundation, a positive workplace culture breathes life into your organization. A strong, supportive culture fosters employee engagement, boosts morale, and enhances productivity.  This balance between compliance and culture was at the heart of our discussion on last…

How We Create Respectful Work Cultures

  • Post category:Civility Partners
  • Reading time:3 mins read

For the past 15 years, we have been dedicated to transforming toxic workplace cultures and fostering positive environments through executive coaching, corporate training, and large-scale culture change projects. We’ve serviced over 250 clients and their thousands of employees worldwide! We understand the daily struggles faced by employees in toxic environments,…

42% of employees would QUIT over political disagreements

Is it appropriate to restrict employees from expressing their political views at work? On the one hand, you want people to feel free to express themselves. But then, you don’t want those water cooler chats to turn into full-blown political showdowns. According to a Gartner survey, around four out of…

Why Retaining Top Talent is More Difficult Than Ever

Finding and keeping great employees can be tough for companies all over. With changes in employee expectations, advancements in technology, and shifts in the job market, it’s a real challenge. In 2019, a whopping 42 million U.S. workers alone said “so long” to their jobs voluntarily. Yep, you read that…