Good morning, haulers ☕
Don’t Let One Bad Apple Sink Your Business: How to Handle Toxic Employees the Right Way
Running a small business is tough enough. But throw in an employee who’s dragging everyone down, and it can feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle. I’m talking about the ones who are lazy, always late, argumentative, or just plain toxic. These employees can do more than just annoy you—they can sink your business.
It’s easy to think letting them go is optional, but trust me—it’s something you need to do.
"You don’t build a business – you build people – and then people build the business." Zig Ziglar
If you want to grow, succeed, and create a positive environment for your team, you cannot afford to let this type of employee linger.
What We’ll Cover:
How toxic employees can impact your business and why it’s essential to act quickly.
The approach I use to manage tough employee situations without missing a beat.
Why stepping in to handle the employee's role can hurt your time management and long-term success.
The importance of getting the right person in place and making the tough decisions that will set your business up for growth.
It’s Easier Said Than Done
In all fairness, dealing with this kind of situation is not easy. Especially if you’ve got a small team and that one problem employee is someone who seems “irreplaceable.”
I’ve been there myself. Early in my career, I made more mistakes than I’d like to admit when it came to handling toxic employees. It's tough when they’re the “star” of the team—maybe they’re your main driver, the one who handles your most customer interactions, or the person who keeps things running behind the scenes.
But if they’re toxic to the team culture, they’re hurting your business.
You can’t keep them around for the sake of convenience or because of their role.
The damage they cause behind the scenes isn’t worth it in the long run.
What Happens When You Consider Firing Them?
Here’s the dilemma. The moment you even think about firing someone like that, things can get messy. They might quit on the spot, or even worse, they may try to sabotage the business on their way out. So how do you handle this?
"One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch." Proverb
My Approach to Handling a Toxic Employee
Over the years, I’ve learned that the key is preparation. When I’ve had a toxic employee, I start hiring for their replacement before I even have the conversation about letting them go.
I’ll bring someone on, framing it as “expanding” or “adding more support,” and make sure they’re fully trained. While this is happening, I’m paying close attention to the behavior of the problem employee. Sometimes, the pressure of seeing a new face on the team will push them to shape up.
But if they don’t, I’m already prepared with a qualified replacement ready to step in.
Once the new hire is fully trained, I can let the problem employee go without missing a beat. This ensures a smooth transition—no drama, no delays, and no need for me to step back into the day-to-day operations.
It’s important to recognize this because it’s tempting to step in and take over that employee’s role until you find a replacement. But by doing that, you’re neglecting high-priority tasks only you can handle to move the business forward. Plus, you’re not factoring in how long it may take to find and train a new team member—on top of managing your current workload.
Doing all of this while working in the truck every day is a major strain on your time management. And I’ve seen some guys take a long, long time to crawl back out of this position.
Setting Up Your Team for Success
When I bring in a new team member, I make sure they’re smart, competent, and aligned with the company culture. I set some clear expectations and then, I step back.
Micromanaging isn’t my style. When you hire the right people, they will rise to the occasion and get the job done—without needing someone breathing down their neck.
If you’re reading this and you know there’s a toxic employee in your business right now, take action. I know it’s difficult, especially when that person is critical to the day-to-day operations, but the results are worth it. When I let go of a problem employee, it felt like the whole company took a collective breath. The tension and drama disappeared.
And you know what else happened? The rest of the team stepped up in ways I hadn’t seen before. It was a game-changer.
Don’t Wait for the Situation to Get Worse
When it comes to toxic employees, time is not on your side. The longer you wait, the more damage they can cause. Act quickly. It’ll be tough in the moment, but you’ll see immediate relief. Your team will feel the change. And soon, you’ll have a stronger, more productive team that can focus on the work that really matters—serving your customers and growing your business.
Actionable Steps:
Identify any toxic employees who may be affecting team morale.
Begin recruiting a replacement before addressing the issue with the problem employee.
Set clear expectations for your new hire, focusing on competence and fit with the team culture.
Take swift action once your replacement is ready—letting go of the problem employee will open up space for growth.
Trust your team to step up and thrive in a healthier work environment.
Take Action Now
If you’re currently dealing with a toxic employee, don't wait for things to get worse. The sooner you make the tough decision, the sooner you’ll free up the space and energy to focus on what truly matters: growing your business and supporting your team.
Tough decisions lead to better outcomes, and letting go of the wrong people is a step toward bringing in the right ones.
Remember, your business deserves a team that elevates it—not one that holds it back. When you build a team of motivated, competent people, everything changes. You’ll see the shift in your company culture, your productivity, and ultimately, your bottom line. This is your moment to take control, make the tough calls, and move your business forward.
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." Phil Jackson
So, take that next step, trust your instincts, and build the team that will help you take your business to the next level. You’ve got this.✌️
Justin Hubbard
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