Identifying the causal, contextual and intervening factors affecting the toxic behavior of employees in the public sector

The organization is a social phenomenon in which     human beings and  their behaviors are the center of gravity. What seems vital for the organization is to recognize unhealthy behavior patterns and to protect them from their effects. And this will lead to the reduction of suffering and emotional pain caused by unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, the current research was conducted with the aim of identifying the factors affecting the toxic behavior of employees in government organizations.

The research method is qualitative and exploratory. The statistical population of this research included specialists and experts in the field of management and organizational behavior in the public sector, which was sampled using the snowball technique and sample size considering theoretical saturation (13 people). The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview.

Data analysis and analysis were done in three stages of open coding, central coding and selective coding, and a total of 18 causal influencing factors were identified in the form of four sub-categories and two general categories, individual factors and environmental-organizational factors, as well as 16 influencing factors. In the form of three sub-categories and three general categories of socio-cultural factors, economic factors and political-organizational factors, there were 13 influencing factors of two sub-categories and one general category (managerial-organizational space) in the group of intervening factors. ) were categorized.

The hidden layers in the human mind are looking for a suitable opportunity to show themselves. Especially toxic thoughts that can lead to toxic behaviors. The results of this research can be fruitful for managers in managing the organization and in predicting the behavior of employees and control. They play a key role.