Shiny on the outside, not so nice on the inside. Toxic personnel has the potential to devastate an agency. They hurt morale, sabotage attempts at change, and can be notoriously difficult to get rid of. This is especially true if they are high performers, popular, or deeply ingrained in the pre-existing culture. They are also highly contagious -- the longer they go unaddressed, the more personnel they can pull to them. This presentation will look at different types of problem employees, how to recognize them and why they happen in the first place. Is it just who they are, is it the result of stress or burnout, or is it a reflection of the leadership? When it comes to the health of your agency, it's crucial to recognize them early, discover the root cause, and address them in a fair and equitable manner. We will discuss tips on writing effective briefs that address behavior, using evaluations effectively, and how to structure improvement plans or to apply discipline appropriately.

**This topic ties in with recruitment/retention and speaks to agency culture as well. This is good for incoming managers.**
Learning Objectives:

Describe toxic behavior in the workplace.
Identify strategies to curtail negative interpersonal behavior.
Evaluate underlying causes for toxic behavior.