At a time when many people are concerned about the social discourse in the US, it’s essential for businesses to consciously promote civility in the workplace and create an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
Data from a SHRM survey indicates that uncivil behavior in the workplace is on the rise, and it’s costing businesses significantly. The August 2024 survey data yielded a Civility Index of 45.6—a 3-point increase over the May 2024 score, reaching a point where SHRM believes organizations should be taking action.
As a company committed to enhancing workplace cultures through effective HR practices, NorthstarPMO recognizes that civil behavior is critical to a healthy culture and a cornerstone of organizational success. At a time when many people are concerned about the social discourse in the US, it’s essential for businesses to consciously promote civility in the workplace and create an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
The Surprising Increase in Incivility at Work
The SHRM research results paint a startling picture of the state of employee behavior. An estimated 202 million instances of incivility happen in the workplace each day—a rate of 2,000 per second. Two-thirds of employees believe managers are more concerned about business objectives than workplace behavior and 62% have seen a manager ignore uncivil actions.
While incivility can manifest in many ways—some overt, others subtle—it’s typically rooted in a lack of respect and courtesy. The most common indicators include:
- Speaking in a raised voice
- Using demeaning language
- Using expletives
- Interrupting or talking over a colleague
- Not paying attention when someone is speaking
- Displaying rude body language (such as eye rolling or smirking)
- Spreading rumors about a colleague
- Failing to acknowledge others
Behaviors like these have negative repercussions for both employees and employers. An uncivil environment becomes toxic and stressful, hurting morale and perpetuating a negative cycle as workers on the receiving end becoming defensive and lash out at their coworkers in response. Voluntary turnover and absenteeism are higher in uncivil cultures, as are insurance and disability claims for the resulting physical and mental health conditions. And each time an uncivil act occurs, it takes the affected employee about 30 minutes to become productive again, costing businesses over $2 billion annually.
During a presidential election year in the US, disparate political views tend to trigger instances of incivility both in and outside of work. But many other factors can fuel these behaviors at any time, including differing opinions on social issues, generational gaps, and racial and ethnic differences.
How HR Professionals Can Create a Civil Environment
HR professionals and their fractional HR partners can help organizations create a workplace culture where employees demonstrate respect and courtesy in all their interactions. In the NorthstarPMO team’s experience, the following are essential to creating and maintaining a civil culture.
Clear Policies
While many businesses publish a code of conduct, they don’t always spell out what constitutes uncivil behavior, the consequences of acting disrespectfully, and the process for reporting an incident. If your company doesn’t allow discussions about politics or displays of political views (such as attire or signage), or you permit employees to leave work to vote (which is mandated in some states), that should also be noted in your HR policies. NorthstarPMO regularly helps businesses codify and communicate their civility policies to ensure clear expectations.
Strong Role Models
Leaders set the tone for workplace behavior, so civility begins at the top. You should expect leaders at all levels to model respect and courtesy in their daily interactions. They should also take accountability if they engage in disrespectful behavior (whether consistently or at times of high stress), and that requires good self-awareness. NorthstarPMO offers Leadership Training to equip managers with the tools they need to build a healthy work environment.
Rules of Engagement
Uncivil behavior can occur any time two or more coworkers interact, including during meetings. Consider developing and communicating norms for meeting behavior—for instance, you expect employees to arrive on time, stay off their phones while others are speaking, and listen without interrupting. Defining the rules of engagement and outlining them in your employee handbook sets a tone and ensures everyone shares the same expectations.
Skill-Based Training
Aside from manners and etiquette, many different skillsets are required to engage in civil behavior. Active listening and empathy are key tenets of respectful discussions, good conflict management and resolution skills can head off incivility, and bystander training ensures employees know what to do if they witness disrespectful interactions. Be sure to provide training on these and other topics that equip your employees to promote a respectful environment.
Executive Coaching
Speaking to an employee about a sensitive topic like their uncivil behavior can be challenging. Executive coaching can equip managers to intervene when necessary and engage in productive discussions that set employees on the right path to changing their behavior.
DEI Principles
A comprehensive DEI initiative can serve as a critical foundation for fostering a civil workplace. DEI principles help employees acknowledge different perspectives and appreciate the fact that we can disagree with each other while demonstrating respect.
How NorthstarPMO Can Help
The professionals at NorthstarPMO are highly experienced in helping organizations of all types develop healthy cultures that are rewarding for both employees and employers. Whether you need support with conflict resolution, navigating employment laws, or training your executives and managers, our comprehensive services can enable you to foster a civil, respectful work environment for all.
To jumpstart your journey toward workplace civility, we are offering a FREE model civility policy. Click the link below to take the first step in creating a more respectful workplace.
Then schedule a discovery call to learn how NorthstarPMO can enhance your workplace with fractional HR services that give you more flexibility in handling this critical function, without the overhead of a full-time internal HR professional.
