Fixing Toxic Culture in a Hybrid Workspace: 5 Best Strategies

Dan Goldsmith | 12 December, 2023 | Est. reading time: 5 minutes
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Addressing toxic culture requires open communication
Experiencing a chaotic hybrid workspace? Fix toxic culture today through clear communication and just a little bit of coworking magic! Here’s how;

A toxic culture can creep into any hybrid workspace. Toxic cultures are often fueled by miscommunication, isolation, and an altogether lack of shared values. The physical distance inherent in hybrid work setups can breed feelings of neglect, misunderstandings, and a weakened sense of team culture among employees.

Employees who are physically dispersed find it challenging to connect personally, which leads to a toxic environment where collaboration is stifled and trust erodes. Coworking spaces can be the transformative solution many businesses seek to fix toxic culture in their workspace. These spaces act as powerful antidotes, countering the adverse effects of hybrid work settings.

Coworking spaces offer more than just a physical workspace; they provide a supportive environment that fosters connections, collaboration, and a sense of community. Moreover, establishing a corporate office culture can also be much easier in a coworking space. By bringing individuals together in a shared physical space, coworking spaces bridge the gap created by remote work, cultivating a positive and inclusive culture essential for any hybrid team's success.

In this article, we’ll answer many of the pressing questions asked by businesses while navigating toxic workplace culture in a hybrid setting. 

5 Efficient Strategies to Fix Toxic Culture in a Hybrid Workspace

Let's start with the most frequently asked question; “How do you fix a toxic workplace culture?”

Choose the Right Workspace for Your Workers

The first step is critical and consists of selecting the proper workspace for your team. Workspace matters a lot in building a healthy workplace culture. Coworking spaces stand out as the ideal choice. They offer a professional setting and a community-oriented atmosphere that counteracts the isolation in hybrid work settings.

According to stats, 89% of coworkers reported being happier since joining a coworking space. This shows why many businesses are moving to coworking spaces. The shift results from coworking spaces swiftly becoming hubs of collaboration, encouraging spontaneous interactions and providing a sense of belonging that is crucial in mitigating toxic culture.

Choose a coworking space that can take the stress of management off your back and delegate it to an expert. This can allow you to provide your employees with a creative space and get you more involved in company culture creation. 

Leadership Engagement

Wondering, “How do you change a negative workspace culture?” Many entrepreneurs ask this question while navigating toxic culture amongst their hybrid workforce. Let’s discuss how leadership engagement can answer this question!

To fix toxic culture, leadership involvement is paramount. Leaders should actively engage with their teams, initiating open discussions about their challenges. By understanding the unique struggles of a hybrid workforce, leaders can implement strategies to foster a positive work environment.

To boost a positive work environment, consider investing in coworking spaces that can provide your workers with community events and networking opportunities. This creates platforms for your leadership to engage with employees directly, reinforcing a shared sense of purpose and values. It also allows employees to bond with each other.

Clear Communication with the Employee

Effective communication is the foundation of a great hybrid work environment and can help fix bad company culture. It goes beyond sharing information; it also fosters connection and understanding. Employees can gain insights into the company's direction and purpose by maintaining clear and transparent communication channels.

This reduces misunderstandings and creates an inclusive atmosphere where every team member feels connected and valued. Imagine it as a continuous dialogue, weaving a fabric of shared goals and mutual respect.

If you are trying to fix toxic culture in the workplace, consider introducing hybrid working tools that can streamline your communication. This includes tools like Slack that can streamline your communication channels and help your workers connect.

Set Flexible Policies in the Workspace

We discussed how leadership engagement and communication can help fix bad company culture. But how do you fix a toxic workplace culture where the toxicity becomes ingrained in the company policies? The answer lies in flexible policies!

In the diverse landscape of hybrid work, a one-size-fits-all approach falls short. Flexible policies are a strategic cornerstone for embracing the varied needs of hybrid workers. These policies not only acknowledge the individual circumstances of team members but also promote a healthy work-life balance.

For instance, it is important to cater to different work styles. Businesses can benefit from providing leeway to employees who want to work at different times daily. This allows businesses to keep a valued resource by allowing their work timings to be flexible. It also generates a positive company culture as employees are encouraged to work at their convenience. 

Address Conflict Promptly

Conflict, though inevitable, should never be left to fester. Addressing conflicts proactively can prevent toxicity from taking root. Open discussions and conflict resolution mechanisms are tools to maintain a calm and supportive hybrid work environment and fix toxic culture.

Swift conflict resolutions ensure that any issue that arises is met with understanding. It is important to foster an atmosphere where disagreements are seen as opportunities for growth, contributing to a positive and collaborative workplace.

Now that you have a clear insight into how to fix a toxic culture and how to change a negative workplace culture, here are some common questions that may help you further in your quest for a healthy hybrid workplace culture! Keep reading to learn more;

To Sum It Up

Hybrid workspaces demand clear communication, prompt conflict resolution, and flexible policies, and in order to fix bad company culture. You must also provide your workers with a space they can make their own.

Consider the transformative potential of Office Hub. It's not just a workspace; it's a catalyst for cultivating a positive and dynamic hybrid work environment.

Your journey to a workplace that balances flexibility, communication, and collaboration starts here!

FAQs

As a leader, you may face multiple questions throughout the day. How do you survive a toxic workplace culture? How do you change a negative workspace culture? It isn’t always possible to answer all of them!

If you don't have the answer, don’t worry! Our frequently asked questions can help you navigate toxic culture and fix it before it’s too late.
 

Q.1 How do you survive a toxic workplace culture in a hybrid setting?

Surviving a toxic culture becomes a matter of choice. To mitigate the toxic effects of hybrid working, consider coworking spaces. These spaces provide a physical working environment that can fix toxic culture by getting to the issue's root.

The communal aspect eases feelings of isolation and fosters a positive work environment. It can act as a shift from toxicity to collaboration, where individuals become colleagues and allies in the work journey.
 

Q.2 How do you change a negative workspace culture in a hybrid setting?

Changing negative culture requires leaders to take timely actions. Start by openly communicating concerns, engaging in team-building activities, and giving individual attention to each employee.

Acknowledge that a positive culture is cultivated through collective efforts and individual empowerment. Imagine a workplace where collaboration replaces negativity, and each team member contributes to a harmonious work environment to fix toxic culture in their own organisations.

Let us guide you

We know the search process for a new workspace can be overwhelming, that’s why our team are here to help through every step of the way.