Workplace incivility is a growing problem in today's work environment. It can take many forms, from subtle microaggressions to more overt acts of disrespect. No matter what form it takes, incivility can have a significant negative impact on both individuals and organizations.
What is workplace incivility?
Workplace incivility is defined as low-intensity deviant behavior with an ambiguous intent to harm the target, in violation of workplace norms for mutual respect. In other words, it's behavior that is rude, discourteous, or disrespectful, but not necessarily violent or threatening.
Examples of workplace incivility:
* Talking behind someone's back
* Gossiping
* Making sarcastic or belittling remarks
* Ignoring or excluding someone
* Interrupting someone
* Taking credit for someone else's work
* Spreading rumors
* Making faces or rolling your eyes
* Sending rude emails or text messages
* Being late to meetings or appointments
* Dressing inappropriately
* Using offensive language
* Making discriminatory remarks
The impact of workplace incivility:
Workplace incivility can have a significant negative impact on both individuals and organizations. For individuals, it can lead to:
* Increased stress and anxiety
* Decreased job satisfaction
* Reduced productivity
* Increased absenteeism
* Burnout
* Depression
* Health problems
For organizations, incivility can lead to:
* Decreased productivity
* Increased turnover
* Lower morale
* Damage to reputation
* Legal problems
What can be done about workplace incivility?
There are a number of things that can be done to address workplace incivility. Organizations can:
* Create a culture of respect
* Develop clear policies and procedures
* Provide training for employees
* Take complaints seriously
* Investigate complaints thoroughly
* Take appropriate disciplinary action
Individuals can:
* Speak up when they experience or witness incivility
* Set boundaries
* Model respectful behavior
* Seek support from others
Conclusion:
Workplace incivility is a serious problem that can have a significant negative impact on both individuals and organizations. By taking steps to create a more respectful workplace, we can all help to reduce incivility and make our workplaces more positive and productive.
Additional resources:
* Workplace Incivility - Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development
* Workplace incivility - Wikipedia
* Incivility in the Workplace: Best Practices for Managers - Indeed
* Workplace Incivility & Micro-Incivility - Culture Shift
* Workplace incivility: a concept analysis - PubMed
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