The Rise of Incivility and

Bullying in the Workplace

University of Maryland 1856

Testudo the Terrapin

Theodore Roosevelt

Vancouver, Canada

Stanley Park Seawall, Vancouver

Incivility experiences

How many of you have experienced incivility…

Courtesy

Cyberbullying—Amanda Todd

Incivility Definition

“An exchange of inconsiderate or disrespectful words or actions that violate conventional norms or behavior”

The Civil Society

There is a clear link between our understanding and acceptance of incivility and our beliefs about what constitutes a civil society

Incivility in business

Incivility in public

The spectrum of incivility

Physical Aggression

Verbal Aggression

Negative Behavior

Incivility in POW Camps

15

Stanley Camp, Hong Kong

16

Is Incivility a serious problem?

Is the problem getting worse?

74% of respondents say yes

Who are the worsts examples of incivility?

77% said TV shows, celebrities, professional athletes,

newscasters, politicians and lawyers

Who should be responsible for teaching civility?

88% said parents, teachers and business leaders

What is the impact on children?

50% of parents reported their children were victims of cyberbullying, and 40% reported their children were bullied at school

What is the impact on the workplace?

Workplace bullying costs American business an estimated $300 billion annually

The Rise of Incivility—News Report

Incivility in news and politics

Workplace incivility

Incivility in discourse

How incivility cost a company –Case Study

Results of workplace incivility

$300 billion per year

Increased workloads after downsizing

Longer working hours

Worker absenteeism

Lack of trust

Deteriorating relationships

What causes incivility?Lack of feeling secure

People lack restraint

Mean spiritness

Lack of self esteem

expanded egotism/entitlement

Excessive individualism and greed

Isolation/loneliness

Anger, fear, mental health issues

Lack of social and economic equity, fairness

What are solutions to incivility in workplace?

Legislate code

Workplace policies

Teach respectful idealogue/debate in schools

Zero tolerance in organizations

“no jerk” rule in hiring

Use of social mediate for “reputation.”

Boycott organizations that behave uncivilly

More economic and social equity

Measure quality of life differently

First step-Personal Responsibililty