Several studies have demonstrated how different types of negative workplace behaviours impact organisations. This impact is at all possible levels – individual, group and the entire organisation. Workplace incivility is a relatively new addition within the field of deviant workplace behaviour. Talking down to others, making belittling remarks, and not listening to somebody, are some of the instances of uncivil behaviour.
Anderson and Pearson in the year 1999, were the first researchers to coin the term “workplace incivility”. There are some characteristics of incivility that set it apart from other deviant workplace behaviours. Firstly, the intention to harm is ambiguous and quite difficult to detect. Â Secondly, one could be a recipient of incivility not just from one’s superiors but also from one’s co-workers or clients. Although the intensity is much less when compared to other counter productive workplace behaviours, workplace incivility has the potential to trigger emotional and physical suffering in...
