Aug 2025 Is a toxic team member costing your business?
In landscaping, where teamwork, reliability, and attitude matter every day on site, one toxic employee can drag down the entire team, annoy your clients and cost you time and money through disrupted workflow, mistakes and substandard workmanship.
Here I outline how to spot a toxic employee, what their behaviour does to your business, and how to deal with them properly.
5 Examples of a Toxic Employee’s Behaviour
- Constant Complaining or Negative Attitude
This person brings bad energy to the job site. They complain about the weather, the tools, the schedule, the boss, the clients, or other team members. Nothing is ever good enough. - Blames Others and Avoids Responsibility
Whether it’s a Project Manager, a Team Leader, a Tradesman or an Apprentice, a toxic worker never admits they made a mistake, or they blame someone else or make an excuse. - Undermines Leadership or Refuses Direction
When a foreman gives clear instructions, this person resists, challenges, or ignores them. They might say things like, “Yes I’ve got it” – only to do it their way anyway, which ends up causing a costly mistake. It creates confusion and disrupts the flow of work and sets a bad example for others. - Creates Division Among the Team
They gossip and talk behind others’ backs. They turn co-workers against each other, making it hard to build trust and teamwork. Before you know it, your once solid crew is splintered, or the other team members are visibly getting frustrated with this person’s chatter or presence. - Is Lazy and Will Do the Bare Minimum
He lifts his effort only when the Owner or Project Manager arrives on site, and then once the Owner has left, his effort wanes. A lazy employee affects a crew’s workflow and morale.
What a Business Owner Can Do About It
Step one is to address this person’s behaviour head-on. Don’t hope it will sort itself out: it won’t.
1. Document Specific Behaviours
Keep a record of what’s been said or done – dates, times, what happened, and who was involved. Stick to facts, not feelings.
2. Have a Private Conversation
Sit them down. Calmly explain the behaviours you’ve observed, how they affect the team and the business, and that this can’t continue. Make it clear that it’s not about personality, but it’s about everyone working together to a standard. Ask them, are you passionate about this work? If they answer yes, then explain what you expect. If they answer they are not sure, encourage them to choose an industry or job (elsewhere), that they will enjoy.
3. Use Fair Work’s Warning Process
Under Australian workplace laws, a formal warning should include:
- A clear explanation of what behaviour is unacceptable.
- How it breaches company policy or expectations.
- What needs to change.
- A reasonable timeframe to improve.
- A record of the conversation and the warning, signed by both parties.
You can find templates and guidance on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
4. Set Expectations and Follow Up
Tell them clearly: “This behaviour must stop immediately. If it continues, it will lead to further disciplinary action and possible termination.”
Give them a written warning. Set a time (e.g. 3 weeks) to check back in and review progress.
But I need to keep this person employed as we don’t have the manpower.
I have heard this reason many times from clients and I understand their concern, but once the toxic employee has moved on all clients have said: “I didn’t realise how much he was costing us in poor productivity, mistakes and morale”.
Why addressing this person behaviour really matters.
Letting toxic behaviour slide sends the wrong message to the rest of your team. It says that being unreliable, negative or disrespectful is acceptable. But when you deal with it professionally and fairly, you set the standard that your business is a place where respect, responsibility, and teamwork matter.
You’ve worked hard to build a quality landscaping business. Don’t let one person drag it down. Address toxic behaviour quickly, clearly, and professionally and your team, your reputation, your profits and your sanity will all be better off.