CAREER’S CORNER: How To Identify When You’re The ‘Toxic’ Co-worker At Work

Loading player...
Phiona Martin - award-winning Organizational Psychologist, Career Coach talks about Signs of a toxic coworker

None of these though compare to the person who wreaks havoc on you and everyone around you. They spend their daily work lives doing things that never have a positive outcome and make you wish it was the end of the day when you just got there with your breakfast in tote. I am talking about the ever so present toxic co-worker. 

Face it: some of you out there are the textbook definition of this type of employee. You may not know it, or do and deny it, but there are key signs attributed to the behavior that earns you this unglamorous honor.

They create a space that’s either not fun to be around or is repeatedly doing things that brings the rest of your staff down in the process. 

Worst of all is that this person will claw their way to a promotion over you and you may not even know it. Ways that they do this range from manipulation to starting drama with others to even being a likable yet not suitable person for the job. 

And yes, this person can still be that frustrating even in a virtual setting that many of us remain in due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tricks they have up their sleeve go beyond the physical presence, it’s just up to you to figure out what their work style is.
30 Jan 2023 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Kaya Biz: Budget 2026 under the microscope - Part 2

Kaya Biz brings you a comprehensive post-Budget 2026 special, featuring an in-depth, one-on-one conversation with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana following his address in Cape Town. In what is being described as a notably optimistic fiscal package, Budget 2026 delivers inflation-linked adjustments to personal income tax brackets and medical tax credits…
25 Feb 3PM 51 min

Budget 2026 under the microscope - Part 1

Kaya Biz brings you a comprehensive post-Budget 2026 special, featuring an in-depth, one-on-one conversation with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana following his address in Cape Town. In what is being described as a notably optimistic fiscal package, Budget 2026 delivers inflation-linked adjustments to personal income tax brackets and medical tax credits…
25 Feb 3PM 22 min

TECH & INNOVATION: Top social media trends to watch in 2026

Social media continues to evolve at lightning speed, reshaping how brands connect with audiences. As we navigate through 2026, the landscape is being defined by emotional storytelling, authentic connections and a strategic balance between human creativity and AI-powered innovation. The numbers paint a compelling picture: South Africa is home to…
24 Feb 3PM 10 min

SAT - Celebrating 20 Years of Connecting Africa to the World

What began as a strategic initiative by South African Tourism has grown into one of the continent’s most influential business events platforms. Meetings Africa was created to position Africa not just as a leisure destination, but as a serious global player in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — or…
24 Feb 3PM 21 min

Salaries rise in January ahead of National Budget relief expectations

With the 2026 National Budget looming, South African salary earners are hoping that modest wage growth will finally translate into real financial relief rather than being absorbed by inflation and tax pressures. While recent data shows nominal salary increases, real wages remain under pressure, reflecting the broader tension between economic…
24 Feb 3PM 16 min