In general, incivility is rude, dismissive, or disrespectful behaviours.
Incivility can take many forms in the workplace, some of which may seem minor, but they can have a big impact.
There are many examples of workplace incivility some of which include:
- Dismissing others’ ideas or contributions
- Ignoring greetings or communication
- Sarcastic remarks or passive-aggressive comments
- Giving a "dirty look" or using dismissive body language
- Verbal abuse, insults, or yelling
- Speaking in a condescending tone
- Spreading gossip or rumors
- unreasonable criticism
- Interrupting a colleague while they are speaking
- Excluding team members from conversations or decisions
Although incivility is often subtle and can go unnoticed, it erodes trust and teamwork.
How is Incivility Different from Bullying?
|
Incivility |
Bullying |
|
Often subtle and indirect |
Usually repeated and targeted |
|
May be unintentional |
Intentional and meant to harm |
|
Can be one-off or occasional |
Persistent over time |
|
Violates norms of respect |
Violates dignity and safety |
Incivility doesn’t just affect morale—it affects safety. When people feel disrespected or excluded:
- They’re less likely to speak up about hazards
- Communication breaks down
- Stress levels rise, increasing the risk of mistakes
- Team cohesion suffers, impacting performance
What You Can Do to prevent Incivility
- Model respectful behaviour in every interaction
- Speak up if you witness incivility or feel affected by it
- Support your teammates – inclusion and kindness go a long way
- Report concerns to your manager/supervisor, HSEQ team, or HR
Everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected at work. Preventing incivility starts with each of us.
