How to Identify and Deal with Toxic Employee

Introduction:
The ideal dream team is the one that works together and promotes positivity to create a learning and growing environment that can help in flourishing the company and its profitability. While the research always for such employees who can work in a team and lead it to prosperity however sometimes you might even encounter a toxic employee who basically drains the employee happiness and productivity and hinders the profitability of the company as well. No HR manager ever wants to hire a toxic employee as it is said: “One bad berry can spoil the whole basket.” 
Effects Of Toxic Employees On The Organization:
A toxic employee can damage the company daily as well as in the long term. The research has shown that 56% of employees tend to leave a job because of a toxic co-worker. The toxic employee can blame the other workers for the failures of his own, bullies other workers around, or creates drama where other teammates feel annoyed and humiliated. These things make the working conditions hard for the other employees and they tend to leave the job to find a much peaceful one. 
Identifying Toxic Employees:
So now, the question arises: How can one identify a toxic employee? Mostly in organizations, the toxic employees are pretty much visible if there is any. However, some of them are too clever and know how to keep themselves low key or their manipulative nature leads people to believe that it was others' fault. The basic traits of toxic employees are that they are defensive and aggressive with other workers, they do not take responsibility for their faults, and they tend to resist growth or change. You can even find them bullying and gossiping about others. No matter what they do in the organization, the result is that they damage the efficiency and morale of others on the team as well. 
Dealing With Toxic People:
It is easier said than done that toxic employees should be weeded out during the hiring process especially when the core team is being built. However, some toxic people make the hire because of their resumes. They sell themselves well on a piece of paper and they are even better during the interview process as sometimes the toxic people are charismatic. However, their toxic personality often shows up after they are given responsibilities, left with coworkers or given challenges. Although, still the best way to counter such toxic employees during the hiring process so it needs to be aligned accordingly. 
The interviewers should be sharp enough to ask questions which can show how civil the candidate is and what can be achieved by asking them how they will resolve conflict instead of asking them how they will handle the difference in opinion with other teammates. Make sure that during the interview you have investigated the candidate about their previous experiences at other companies and how they handled different conditions and personalities there. 
It doesn't matter what kind of organization you are running, from nonprofit to startups. It is quite important for you to not allow toxic teammates to enter from the start as it can create a blockage in your growth and productivity. The best way to tackle it is during the hiring process to prevent negativity. If it still surfaces, then take action upon it as soon as you get to know. Once the employee is in your organization, you need to provide honest feedback. Maybe the toxic employee doesn't even know that he is being toxic. However, if the behavior continues, you should figure out a strategy to rid him/her ASAP. 

References and Citations
https://hbr.org/2016/10/how-to-manage-a-toxic-employee
https://resources.workable.com/tutorial/toxic-employees
https://www.tlnt.com/a-data-driven-guide-to-dealing-with-toxic-employees/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/251614
​https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-handle-the-brilliant-but-toxic-employee-3575677
https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/04/29/how-smart-managers-deal-with-toxic-employees/