4 Steps to Fix a Toxic Workplace
Cathy Sheldrick, Queen’s IRC Marketing Assistant, 2018
How do you fix a hostile workplace after a strike, merger or other polarizing event? How do you create a healthy workplace after a harassment or grievance investigation? It can be difficult to rebuild the trust that has been lost between members of a team or in leadership, or both. But, according to Anne Grant, a Queen’s IRC facilitator and workplace restoration specialist, you have to bring people back to a joint vision of what the workplace should be.
Is Your Workplace Toxic?
According to Anne, a toxic or poisoned workplace is a work environment where the work product is being affected by the dysfunction of the members of the team. Some signs and symptoms of a workplace that needs help could be an increase in grievances or sick time; it could be more people quitting or retiring; it could be difficulty in recruiting and retaining talent. But there are also more subtle signs, like apathy among workers or an increase in gossip or bullying.
“We have all kinds of processes for addressing a complaint,” says Anne. “But we don't have as many processes for getting back to an ideal workplace after a complaint or polarizing event like a merger, strike or perhaps a big investigation.” And that’s where a workplace restoration comes in. Whether it is addressing difficulties with management, a group of rogue employees spreading negativity through the office, or an issue that no one ever got around to investigating, a workplace restoration can help re-establish communication and trust in an organization.
These are the most popular articles Queen's IRC released in 2017.
Best Practices for the Union-Management Relationship in the Workplace
Gary T. Furlong, Queen's IRC Facilitator
These are challenging times for public-sector finances, private-sector growth in a sputtering economy, and hard conversations at the collective bargaining table. With so many issues…more
Performance Management – Many Possibilities…and Implications
Ian Cullwick, Queen's IRC Facilitator
Performance Management (PM) has become a core organizational strategy and management priority for many organizations. PM can effectively be used to drive accountability, quality, productivity…more
Creating a Collaborative Workplace: Amplifying Teamwork in Your Organization
Brenda Barker Scott, Queen's IRC Facilitator
Let’s begin with a question. Are you experiencing barriers to working collaboratively, even though you know collaboration is necessary? If you answered yes, this article is for you. We all know that…more
The Golden Years: The Aging Workforce and Human Rights Matters
Deborah Hudson, Lawyer, Turnpenney Milne LLP
As the Canadian population ages, so does our workforce. Mandatory retirement programs have generally been outlawed (with few exemptions), and many Canadians now choose to work…more
The Making of the Super CHRO
Philip C. Wilson and Bill Greenhalgh
Today CHRO’s are judged on what they deliver and how they get things done. Aligning talent, fostering engagement, enabling common shared vision and values are critical elements in their toolkit…more
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Latest News
New Queen's IRC Program Planner Now Available
Our Spring 2018-Spring 2019 Program Planner is now available online. Download it today to learn more!
What's inside?
Detailed program descriptions
Dates, locations, and fees
18-month program calendar
How to earn one of our prestigious Human Resources, Organizational Development or Labour Relations certificates
Custom program options for your organization
Congratulations to the Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of our 80th Anniversary contest! They have each won $1,000 towards their next professional development program from Queen's IRC:
Melody Bundt (Calgary, AB)
Kevin Champagne (Calgary, AB)
Jeff Gerestein (Brooks, AB)
Lindsay Gordon (Kitchener, ON)
Shoshana Kalfon (Montreal, QC)
Kelly-Ann Cordner (Surrey, BC)
Delphine Ramsden (Vancouver, BC)
Kristen Slade (Hay River, NT)
Conference and Trade Show Update
Queen's IRC will be attending a couple of conferences and trade shows in the next few months:
HRPA Annual Conference and Trade Show on January 31-February 2 in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We will be at booth #114. Queen's IRC facilitator, Brenda Barker Scott, will be presenting on "Organizational Design for HR Practitioners" on January 31 from 3-4pm in room 703.
Top Employer Summit on April 4-5 in Toronto at the Hilton Hotel. Stop by booth E5 and say hello.
For an overview of our professional development training, from the perspective of our participants and speakers, please check out our Queen’s IRC Video.
Copyright 2018 Queen’s University IRC, Robert Sutherland Hall, 138 Union Street, Kingston, ON K7L 2P1
Call 1-888-858-7838 | Email IRC@QueensU.ca | Visit us online at irc.queensu.ca
How do you fix a hostile workplace after a strike, merger or other polarizing event? How do you create a healthy workplace after a harassment or grievance investigation? It can be difficult to rebuild the trust that has been lost between members of a team or in leadership, or both. But, according to Anne Grant, a Queen’s IRC facilitator and workplace restoration specialist, you have to bring people back to a joint vision of what the workplace should be. 
Queen's IRC will be attending a couple of conferences and trade shows in the next few months:
