Counter-productive work behaviour involves the deliberate undermining of positive workplace outcomes. Typically this is undertaken by mistreated employees seeking revenge on the organisation which allows them to be so badly treated by their psychopathic toxic leader.

This behaviour can be seen as a type of negative reciprocity on the part of employees as they seek redress for the bullying and abuse they have been subject to. Examples of such behaviour can include wasting organisational time and resources, deliberately sabotaging productivity and creating inefficiencies within organisational processes.