Incivility: A Hidden Risk to Workplace Wellbeing

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 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.