Almost half of all Americans believe our society is uncivil. SHRM’s most recent “Civility Index” came in at 48.8 out of 100. That puts HR firmly in the “take action” phase, because it means incivility is a common occurrence in the lives of US workers. Of people who reported experiencing uncivil acts, 56% of them said it happened at work.
What Is Incivility in the Workplace?
Employees who spend hours together (in meetings, on screens, or merely in the same building) are also individuals. They all have their own opinions — political leanings, religious beliefs, etc. In the past, we’ve all generally left those opinions at the door. But it’s now common to hear heated disagreements on TV shows, in podcasts, and probably even at family gatherings.
SHRM’s Civility Index
You can check out the statistics in this infographic, and download their Civility Starter Kit.
It’s no surprise disagreements have made their way into the workplace. Only a third of workers believe respectful treatment is the norm at work.
What’s becoming more common are things like:
- Disrespectful language and actions — rolling of eyes, shouting, demeaning tone of voice, public criticism, false accusations.
- Disruptive behavior — being late to or disrupting meetings, sabotaging a project, acting temperamental.
- Bullying — relentlessly pushing one’s own views, intolerance of other perspectives, aggressive judgment of others.
How Can HR Foster a Culture of Civility?
Incivility reduces productivity and causes a decline in morale. So, it’s important to set some rules and guidelines, but also to apply those rules and guidelines consistently to everyone in the organization.
The full 15-page report from SHRM shows that 71% agreed their manager could have done more to prevent incivility.
A Code of Conduct, when communicated well, can be the one place employees look for guidance when it comes to workplace behavior. Rather than the usual finger-wagging do’s and don’ts you might find in older ones, this sample Code of Conduct has a positive tone with colorful, easy-to-read pages.
SHRM’s Civility Starter Kit also has helpful resources on how to encourage civil conversations, navigate politically charged discussions, and more.
