Do you like to buy from a store where a manager is rude to his sales agent? Do you wish to sign up for an insurance policy from a company whose employees are disrespectful to one another? The answer is No.

I prefer to go shopping in the local environment. When people are rude to each other in a place, then I prefer to walk away then to make a purchase. Workplace incivility is insidious not only for employees but also for customers. It causes a dent in the employer's name and company's public image. And this kind of cut doesn't go back to its original position

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Today, I'm here to explain a bit about the Cost of Workplace INCIVILITY. Most of the time, managers and employees ignore it. However, when it remains unchecked for weeks or months, then it becomes a norm, and here is when you start seeing adverse effects. Check this study to look deep into the impact of an uncivil workplace.

What is Workplace Incivility?

It means behaving rudely or disrespectfully at the workplace; this behavior may or may not have an intent of harm. This behavior could be with a coworker, customer, or low-end employee. Read this article to have a full grasp of this concept.

 No matter who is standing in front of you, it's against the normal of a company to act rude or not showing respect. The most common scenario is one when your boss raises his voice to make a point, or you have to hear an hour of speech for a typo mistake. 

Some examples of Workplace Incivility

Here are some situations which are translated into workplace uncivil behavior. 

• Not using professional language

• Talking loudly in a public place

• Showing attitude and rudeness

• Ignoring someone on purpose

• Continually interrupting your coworker during a meeting

• Invading into someone's privacy at the workplace, checking email or social profile 

People show workplace ostracism and uncivility not only in Pakistan but also in other countries of the world. It's a global phenomenon that needs special attention. If management does nothing when employees are rude to one another, then the cost of this negligence is always paid by the company. 

How Does Workplace Incivility Affect Employees?

According to a survey, almost 98 percent said that they either experience or witness rude behavior among coworkers, employees, and employers. If it happens a few times, then it might cause a significant effect, but severe damage results when it becomes a common thing at the workplace. Here is how employees get affected due to rudeness and unrespectful attitude of their supervisors and employers. 

Low productivity level

• An employee loses interest in the job
• They don't want to put efforts in any project
• They prefer to reduce their work time or come late on job
• Fewer efforts toward maintaining the company's image.

Sometimes, employees confess of taking revenge from managers by behaving rudely to customers.

• The emergence of Hostile or Toxic work environment

• A lack of focus in work-in-hand

• Some employee thinking of leaving a job 

• Increase in Stress level

• Less interest in the position makes work-management a difficult task for employee

Workplace Incivility Negative Effects on Employer and Company

It's not just the employee who is going to pay the price for uncivil behavior. 

• An organization's culture also disrupts. A healthy workplace culture turns into a toxic one.

• Companies might face a boost in employee turnover rate, which in turn makes it hard for a company to find a talented workplace.

• Recruitment expenses will increase as existing employee leave, and new employee may not like to apply an organization whose boss or managers are rude

• Bad customer service

• Irreparable damage to the public image of an employer and company

How to Handle Workplace incivility?

Here are some practices that may turn a toxic workplace into a healthy one. Check signs of Toxic Workplace.

Everyone should watch his Behavior: The problem starts when higher management belittles or disregard the lower one. So, if everyone keeps a check on his attitude and takes steps when things go south, then betterment is possible.

Display Code of Conduct Publically: In every room of an office, there must be a proper display of code of conduct. When employees can see a chart that demonstrates work ethics, it keeps reminding them what is acceptable or what's not. Harvard Business Review offers a complete guideline to deal with workplace incivility in its study.

Don't Let uncivil behavior uncheck: Management must have an employee surveillance system where they can see how employees behave with one another. Do they talk professionally or not. If something seems unprofessional and falls under the category of incivility, then quick action is taken. 

Sending an email notice from a disciplinary committee will do magic. This notice will make it clear to the employee that his rude behavior and disrespectful attitude won't be tolerated. A manager can nip the evil in the bud through this manner.

Go with Penalty: If an employee keeps showing uncivil behavior, then there must be a penalty or intense action against his wrong deed. When people see that their rudeness doesn't have any severe consequences, then they keep repeating it to a level where it damages the workplace and the company's image.

Present a Role Model: Many managers accepted the fact that they were rude to their coworkers and other low-end employees because their supervisors were abusive to them. So, it's more like they were following the footprint of their role models. It's essential to present some good role models in the workplace; the people who abide by the rules and regulations; the managers who show respect to their staff and care about their dignity and self-respect a lot.

Wrap up

Uncivil behavior at the workplace poses serious threats toward employee's productivity and employer's public image. Managers should take severe action and must penalize employees and staff who tend to show rudeness to other employees. It's a way of transforming a negative workplace culture into a positive one.