forbes.com
Rising Workplace Incivility: Communication Skills as a Key Factor
Workplace incivility rose 21.5% in Q1 2025 (SHRM), negatively impacting employee well-being and company finances; poor communication, particularly tone and setting, exacerbates the issue.
- What is the current state of workplace incivility and its impact on businesses?
- Workplace incivility is sharply rising, with a 21.5% increase in the first quarter of 2025, according to the SHRM Civility Index. This negatively impacts employee well-being, morale, and productivity, resulting in significant financial losses for companies.
- How does communication style, particularly tone and setting, contribute to workplace incivility?
- Poor communication skills are a major contributor to workplace incivility. The inappropriate use of tone, especially in public settings, can damage relationships and trigger defensive responses. This is further exacerbated by the overall increase in workplace incivility.
- What practical steps can individuals and leaders take to reduce workplace incivility and improve communication?
- To mitigate the rise in workplace incivility, individuals must improve their self-awareness of communication style, actively manage stress, enhance active listening skills, and consistently practice improved communication habits. Leaders should lead by example and address any communication missteps promptly.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes individual responsibility for improving communication and reducing incivility. While this is important, the article could benefit from a more balanced framing that also highlights the role of organizations in fostering a respectful and civil workplace. The headline, if there were one, might emphasize the individual's role disproportionately. The focus on individual actions to address a systemic problem might unintentionally minimize the impact of organizational factors.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and objective, although some phrases such as "caustic, curt tone" could be considered slightly loaded. More neutral alternatives might include "harsh tone" or "abrupt tone." The overall tone is informative and constructive.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of workplace incivility and offers solutions for individuals to improve their communication styles, but it omits discussion of systemic factors that might contribute to a culture of incivility within organizations. For example, it doesn't explore issues such as organizational structure, leadership styles, or company policies that might create or exacerbate a hostile work environment. While space constraints may account for some omissions, a more complete analysis would acknowledge these broader perspectives.
Sustainable Development Goals
Workplace incivility significantly impacts employee mental health, morale, satisfaction, and productivity, leading to decreased efficiency and financial losses for companies. The article highlights the negative economic consequences of a toxic work environment resulting from poor communication and unprofessional behavior. Reduced productivity directly affects economic growth and decent work.