The Gradual (Rapid?) Decline Of Workplace Civility

This seems like a telling tale.

We had some research none too long ago that respect in the workplace was in decline, as well as trust in leadership. We can now add a new wrinkle: the decline of civility in the workplace.

Let’s first look at some of the research, then discuss why this might be happening.

Civility in the workplace: The research

This is from Christine Porath, who actually wrote a book called Mastering Civility. It’s presented in an interview she did with Wharton. She admits up top that 50% of employees in current studies are experiencing incivility at least once per week. It takes two forms: big hits, like someone blasting you about a project in an unprofessional way, or small nicks at you that build up over time. (Many of us have probably experienced both.) Here is something interesting:

There’s been some really great research coming out of Harvard that has shown that one toxic worker is much more costly than two superstars. The idea is that it really pays to recruit and select well, and that’s probably the place where I’d encourage leaders…