How to Deal With Toxic Positivity in the Workplace

Positivity is usually a sign of a healthy work environment, but what happens when positivity goes too far?

It’s undeniable that positivity should be encouraged in the workplace, but there’s a fine line between staying optimistic and willfully ignoring real issues. While positivity can boost team morale and productivity, it can have the opposite effect if it becomes toxic. 

If your company’s culture hinges entirely on “good vibes only”, then there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with toxic positivity in the workplace.

What Is Toxic Positivity?

Toxic positivity occurs when there’s an expectation to constantly keep a positive attitude and suppress any form of negativity. It’s an unhealthy way of coping with legitimate issues, and it can leave people feeling emotionally invalidated.

Most of the time, toxic positivity is rooted in good intentions. Negative emotions can be hard to deal with, and offering a positive outlook may be perceived as a quick fix for someone’s issues. 

However, when positivity is forced, it discredits someone’s genuine struggles and pressures them to bottle up any negative emotions. This is when positivity shifts from being helpful to becoming toxic.

What Is Toxic Positivity in the Workplace?

If a company forces their employees to hide their true emotions and constantly put on an overly cheerful attitude, then they’re encouraging toxic positivity in the workplace. 

While it’s important to maintain an optimistic outlook when dealing with problems in the workplace, it can quickly become toxic if it’s used as a barrier to addressing real issues.

Work-related issues rarely resolve themselves, and putting on rose-colored glasses is only a temporary fix to a snowballing problem. When employees feel like they have to suppress their concerns to maintain a “good vibes only” environment, it can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and burnout over time.

Signs of Toxic Positivity in the Workplace

Positivity and professionalism often go hand in hand, and this makes it easy for toxic positivity to become embedded in company culture. Some common signs of toxic positivity in the workplace include:

• Hearing dismissive phrases like “You just need to stay positive!”
• Being constantly encouraged to always look on the bright side
• Being pressured to hide negative emotions
• Having to suppress criticism and ignore real issues
• Feeling alone when dealing with work-related issues
• Feeling like your complaints would disrupt the “good vibes only” environment

If positivity in the workplace is making you feel unsupported, undermined, or disingenuous, then there’s a good chance that your company’s culture is built on toxic positivity.

Read our related article to discover signs of poor mental health at work.

Signs of Healthy Positivity in the Workplace

Not all forms of positivity in the workplace are harmful. In fact, positivity plays an important role in maintaining team morale, productivity, and job satisfaction.

Some common signs of non-toxic positivity in the workplace include:

• Optimism is rooted in reality
• Encouragement is balanced with real support
• All emotions are validated, even negative ones
• Positive feedback is balanced with constructive comments
• Employees feel comfortable sharing their successes and struggles

Positivity should be used as a tool to help us address issues in the workplace, not cover them up. By using positivity to face challenges head-on, employees can feel supported, authentic, and emotionally validated. 

How Do You Deal With Toxic Positivity in the Workplace?

Toxic positivity in the workplace can be hard to overcome, especially when employees are told to ignore their issues and put on a happy face instead. 

That being said, healthy positivity can be restored if both leadership and team members create a more balanced, open work environment. Although positivity serves an important purpose in the workplace, there has to be a time to acknowledge real challenges and authentic emotions.

Read our related article to learn how to deal with a toxic coworker.

Dealing With Toxic Positivity As a Manager

As a manager, you set the tone for your team members. In many ways, it’s up to you to encourage open communication, normalize authentic struggles, and balance positivity with realism. 

Your employees should feel like their input is valid and they can freely express their concerns. This not only encourages trust and collaboration within the workplace, but it also makes it easier to establish a healthy level of positivity where employees feel supported and respected. 

Dealing With Toxic Positivity As an Employee

Feeling invalidated at work can lead to stress, burnout, anxiety, and even depression. As an employee, it’s important to speak to your manager if you feel like you’re dealing with toxic positivity in the workplace.

When speaking to your manager, be sure to express your concerns clearly and respectfully. Explain how your work environment is harmful to the team, and discuss how you’d like to address issues head-on instead of ignoring them. 

Since toxic positivity usually comes from a genuine effort to help others, it’s likely your manager doesn’t realize how it’s affecting the team. By bringing your concerns to their attention, they’ll be able to take the steps needed to restore balance and transparency in the workplace. 

Read our related article to discover how to manage anxiety at work.

Restore Your Peace in the Workplace

Dealing with toxic behavior in the workplace is mentally and emotionally exhausting, especially when it feels like you’re fighting this battle on your own.

At Inner Balance, our team of compassionate professionals is here to help you restore peace in your personal and professional life. We offer personalized counseling services that can help you navigate workplace challenges and develop strategies for handling stress and conflicts.

You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Request a consultation today to connect with our mental health experts and take the first step towards mental and emotional wellness.