Workplace incivility: A review of the literature and agenda for future research

Abstract

Summary A growing body of research explores workplace incivility, defined as low‐intensity deviant workplace behavior with an ambiguous intent to harm. In the 15 years since the theoretical introduction of the workplace incivility construct, research in this domain has taken off, albeit in a variety of directions. We review the extant body of research on workplace incivility and note the multitude of samples, sources, methodologies, and instrumentation used. In this review article, we provide an organized review of the extant body of work that encompasses three distinct types of incivility: experienced, witnessed, and instigated incivility. These three types of incivility serve as the foundation for a series of comprehensive models in which we integrate extant empirical research. In the last part of this review article, we suggest directions for future research that may contribute to this growing body of work. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Testing the reciprocal associations among co-worker incivility, organisational inefficiency, and work-related exhaustion: A one-year, cross-lagged study

“…Although much attention has understandably been paid to high-intensity forms of mistreatment, a growing body of research – mostly using cross-sectional designs – is increasingly highlighting the unique and harmful effects of co-worker incivility (Cortina, Kabat-Farr, Magley, & Nelson, 2017; Schilpzand, De Pater, & Erez, 2016). According to this corpus of literature, experiencing co-worker incivility leads to increased exhaustion (Fida, Laschinger, & Leiter, 2017; Hur, Kim, & Park, 2015) and turnover intent, as well as deteriorated job satisfaction (Lim, Cortina, & Magley, 2008) and commitment (Taylor, Bedeian, & Kluemper, 2012).…”

“…In comparison to employee well-being, variables describing organisational processes have received little attention in studies focused on examining the correlates of coworker incivility (Schilpzand et al, 2016). Organisational efficiency, in particular, has not been previously studied in terms of its association with incivility.…”

“…Even though as pointed out above, from a theoretical point of view, there are certain characteristics that allow scholars to clearly distinguish incivility from bullying, it is also true that to some extent the two constructs overlap as they both refer to the experience of psychological aggression (Schilpzand et al, 2016). Moreover, according to the Hershcovis’ review (2011), there is an overlap between incivility and bullying, also regarding predictors and outcomes.…”

Workplace Incivility in a Swedish Context

“…Although workplace incivility is a phenomenon that in recent years has attracted increasing attention in international research on contemporary working life (Cortina, 2008;Lim & Lee, 2011), a review by Schilpzand et al (2014) shows that no studies have been conducted in Scandinavia. Incivility has previously been studied in the United States (Cortina et al, 2001), Singapore (Lim & Lee, 2011), Australia (Griffin, 2010), China (Chen et al, 2013), and Canada (Pearson & Porath, 2009).…”

Workplace Incivility and Bullying in the Library: Perception or Reality?

“…Due to the alarming rate and cost of workplace incivility, recent grassroots movements that advocate civility in the workplace have stimulated universities to develop and execute civility initiatives on several campuses including Central Florida University, Loyola University, Penn State University, Oregon State University, 45 State University of New York, and University of Maryland. These initiatives are excellent examples of approaches to prevent workplace bullying, incivility, and mobbing.…”