Insights

If you are showing your highest performing employee SPECIAL TREATMENT, then it could be creating a TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT. This special treatment could include letting this employee COME IN LATE, LEAVE EARLY, take LONG LUNCHES, or being able to harass other employees. So, there are 5 symptoms that your highest performing employee is creating a toxic work environment.

1. Decreased Productivity

2. Lowered Employee Morale

3. Employee Disengagement

4. High Employee Turnover

5. Low Employee Retention

Employees don't just leave companies because of bad management, they leave because of bad employees as well. Sometimes, employees feel like their work doesn't matter because this high performing employee is getting special treatment. If they feel like their work doesn't matter, then they don't work their hardest anymore, which is lowered productivity. Then, the complaining starts, to management and other employees, about the special treatment this high performing employee is getting. 

Yet, nothing is being done, so it lowers employee morale. Next, employees start to go through the motions, only doing enough work, not to get yelled at and to keep their job. Quiet Quitting. Finally, it comes to a head, then they physically quit. That revolving door of quitting employees and employees not staying starts rolling. I know it seems like the same thing, but it's not. However, why employees quit and why they don't stay, may be the same reason.

Nevertheless, I have dealt with this personally a time or two in my 20 years in Corporate America. So, if you want to hear the full story, then tune into my podcast now available, on not only Spotify, but on iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Castbox, and Radio Public.

If you want to know more about dealing with your highest performing employee creating a toxic work environment, then check out my Triple P Club, where empowered People + streamlined Processes = huge Profits.