Toxic people are definitely infectious. A good work environment can be destroyed by one individual who carps constantly, complains about every management decision, and spreads dissension among people who would never have gotten unhappy if not for someone saying how terrible everything is. Then instead of constructive suggestions and useful solutions to problems, you get hostile employees and terrible morale. That rotten apple in the barrel syndrome. On the opposite side a single upbeat employee who sees some good in most situations can raise the tone of an entire laboratory by pointing out what is of value to all and how problems can be worked on - not just whined about. Of course, management has to participate in this also - no Simon Legree style decisions and genuine fairness attempts to accommodate employees when it can be done without failing in the company's core mission. Management 101 - move out or on those infectious Downer Debbies (or Downer Freds).
