Toxic Talk: What Would You Say?

Gossip, gripes, and rumors have become a national pastime in the workplace. Unfortunately, these forms of toxic talk can have serious repercussions for your employees, your managers and supervisors, and for the profitability and productivity of your entire organization.

Relationships and camaraderie at work are essential for an engaged workforce. However, the examples depicted in this training toolkit have crossed the line and have become damaging to employee relationships, employee morale and productivity.

Whether your organization already has a policy on toxic talk or you’re just beginning to look at the effects damaging communication has on your productivity, this program is designed to give your organization a chance to discuss some real issues affecting your workforce.

Using three open-ended scenarios (two videos and one audio), the training design focuses on how to respond if you become engaged in toxic conversation and helps participants to redirect potentially hazardous communication. The activities also help participants understand the different perceptions of those involved in toxic talk and how others are affected by this behaviour.