Ask an HR Pro: What Are the Early Warning Signs of a Toxic Workplace?

A toxic workplace harms employee morale, productivity, and well-being, creating ripple effects throughout an organization. Pinpointing issues early can help HR professionals and managers preserve a positive work environment and maintain team cohesion.

But what are the telltale signs of toxicity before it becomes unmanageable?

To answer that question, we spoke with Vickie Krolak, SPHR, SHRM-CP, Senior HR Business Partner at iHire, to get her insights on the early warning signs of a toxic workplace and actionable steps you can take to address them.

Warning Sign #1: You Notice Issues With Leadership

How does leadership contribute to workplace toxicity?

“Poor leadership is often the root cause of a toxic workplace,” shared Krolak. “This becomes evident when managers lack accountability, treat employees unfairly, or fail to provide clear expectations to their team members.”

In fact, according to iHire’s 2025 Toxic Workplace Trends Report, 78.7% of employees who have experienced a toxic work environment said poor leadership/management was the cause.

“Micromanagement is another red flag to keep an eye out for, in addition to inconsistent behavior. When a leader’s decisions seem arbitrary or self-serving, it erodes trust,” Krolak said.

To mitigate toxicity stemming from leadership, Krolak advises organizations to prioritize ongoing leadership training, coaching, and accountability.

“Equip leaders with the skills they need to be transparent, fair, and supportive, especially if they’re first-time managers,” Krolak added. “Ensure that you have clear expectations in place for your managers’ own behavior and performance, too, using your company’s core values as a guide.”

Warning Sign #2: You Witness Communication Starting to Suffer

“Communication forms the foundation of any successful workplace,” Krolak said. “When communication is lacking, distrust and confusion arise.”

Examples of communication issues include:

• Leaders sending mixed messages or withholding crucial updates
• Employees feeling left in the dark and/or uncomfortable expressing themselves
• Team members receiving feedback that is sporadic or unconstructive

“Addressing communication gaps requires intention,” Krolak advised. “Encourage managers to adopt open-door policies, hold regular team check-ins, and provide timely, positive and constructive feedback. This fosters an environment where employees feel informed and valued.”

Pro Tip: Anonymous employee surveys are an excellent way to identify, address, and resolve communication pain points in a timely manner.

Warning Sign #3: Employee Favoritism Starts to Take Hold

What is favoritism, and why is it so harmful?

“Favoritism is one of the quickest ways to destroy workplace harmony,” said Krolak. “It breeds resentment and creates divisions among employees.”

Favoritism occurs when certain employees are consistently given better opportunities, like promotions, desirable projects, or recognition, while others are overlooked. This unequal treatment can lead to frustration, lower morale, and even high turnover.

“Develop clear, measurable criteria for decisions related to promotions, performance reviews, and assignments and enforce them consistently. When everyone understands the standards, it reduces the potential for bias and ensures that decisions are based on merit,” Krolak continued. “Both conscious and unconscious bias awareness training for leaders can also help ensure opportunities aren’t based on personal preference.”

Warning Sign #4: Your Employees Start to Show Signs of Burnout

“Burnout is one of the most pervasive symptoms of workplace toxicity,” warned Krolak. “Pay attention to common signs of burnout like irritability, fatigue, disengagement, or declining work quality among your team members.”

Sources of burnout at work include:

• Unmanageable workloads and unrealistic expectations
• Unclear roles or responsibilities
• Lack of support from leaders or coworkers

To combat burnout, Krolak suggested creating a supportive work environment that puts your people first. “Promote work-life balance by offering flexible schedules, ensuring workloads and deadlines are realistic, and encouraging employees to take advantage of their paid time off. What’s more, managers need to lead by example by prioritizing these principles themselves.”

You can also introduce wellness programs, such as mental health resources or mindfulness workshops, to help alleviate workplace stress – even the most positive workplaces aren’t entirely immune to burnout risks.

Building a Non-Toxic Company Culture

What can HR professionals do to prevent workplace toxicity?

“Keep a pulse on your company culture,” says Krolak. “A healthy workplace requires continuous effort. Checking in with employees regularly – and truly listening to them and taking action when needed – is key.”

Krolak also emphasized the importance of fostering psychological safety. “Make it clear that employees can voice concerns and suggest solutions without fear of retaliation. Establishing trust allows organizations to address challenges before they snowball into widespread issues.”

Finally, recognizing employees and celebrating their accomplishments always goes a long way.

“A culture of recognition and appreciation promotes morale, belonging, and positivity in the workplace,” Krolak concluded.

Taking the Next Steps to Improve Company Culture

Spotting and addressing the early signs of workplace toxicity isn’t just about problem-solving – it’s about cultivating an environment where employees thrive.

By proactively tackling poor leadership, communication breakdowns, favoritism, and burnout before they become irreparable issues, HR professionals and managers can safeguard a positive, productive, and resilient company culture.

Looking for further guidance? Explore iHire’s Resource Center to nurture a healthy workplace environment, or reach out to our HR experts for personalized support.