ALT-2 Why People are so Negative in the Workplace
It's no big mystery why people are so negative in the workplace. It's hardly a nurturing environment. On the contrary, the workplace is competitive, adversarial, stressful and sometimes, just plain boring. Staying upbeat and positive is difficult when employees are being pulled down by their surroundings, and through no fault of their own they can get drawn into a 'everything sucks and you can't convince me otherwise' mindset. There are other factors contributing to workplace negativity.
Too Much Work to Complete
In most cases, an over-sized workload equals more stress. Shouldering the unfinished tasks left behind by an employee who has quit or has been fired won't be welcomed by most people. There are only so many hours in a day, and more often than not there just isn't enough time to finish everything. If work is taken home, life can seem like an endless treadmill. There's too much pressure to perform with few resources, and the constant possibility of joining the ranks of the unemployed is hanging over lots of people's heads.
Lack of Recognition
It's understandable that people will get frustrated if they have been passed over more than once for a raise, or a promotion. This creates feelings of apathy and the quality of work will suffer. Employees may begin to wonder if their time might be better spent elsewhere.
Contradictory and/or Vague Directives
Working, or trying to work with incompetent people is a fact of life. Lots of managers out there are sitting in the big seat but are woefully unprepared to do the job that's been assigned to them. It's inevitable that employees will be resentful because they have to work for bosses who have no idea what they're doing.
Workplace Bullies
This creates workplace negativity faster than anything else, and the effects are long-lasting. Bullies engage in behavior that goes beyond what's socially acceptable, but they are rarely punished. They raise stress, anxiety, fear and loathing. Nobody likes to be threatened and it's not hard to figure out why employees who have to contend with their own jobs and the harsh treatment of a bully are so negative.
Negative Workmates
Negativity can spread like the flu. It catches on quick. Whining, complaining, grumbling, moaning and groaning about the inequalities of life or the lack of challenge at work can't be ignored too easily. Pretty soon everybody will be on edge and unable to focus on important details. It's tempting to respond and fight fire with fire. That's when somebody gets pulled into another's issues.
Once negativity sets in, it's so difficult to break free. Getting involved in office politics is a big mistake, because it leads to endless power struggles and complaining. When the balance of power shifts, and it always does, many will find themselves in the line of fire because they are on the wrong side.
