Employees are becoming highly pessimistic, with 75% feeling the worst about their country. Business leaders have two powerful tools to protect psychological safety in the workplace.

It’s a time of paradox, as some navigate planned workforce reductions, while others struggle to hire for critical roles. Today’s CFOs must play offense and defense at the same time.

Workplace incivility can cause problems long after and far deeper than the initial jab. Rudeness, antagonism, animosity and disrespect are just seedlings that spawn toxic environments.

meQ CEO and Co-founder, Jan Bruce, shares the core challenge that employers must address in order to successfully bring employees back to the worksite.

Jan Bruce, CEO of meQuilibrium, joined Caroline Dowd-Higgins of Your Workling Life. Listen to the interview.

Host Carlette Christmas of KAYT FM 88.

This post first appeared on Inc.com. The notion that the longer and harder you work, the more successful you’ll be is deeply rooted in American business culture.