Civility refers to polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior towards others. It involves knowing how your actions and words affect others and engaging positively with those around you.
Civility in the workplace requires abiding by social norms and organizational rules, communicating effectively, and demonstrating respect for different viewpoints.
Practicing civility leads to a more inclusive, productive, and enjoyable work environment.
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Background Overview of Civility in the Workplace
Civility is an important aspect of a healthy workplace culture. Incivility can take many forms, including rudeness, disrespect, gossiping, discrimination, harassment, and even violence.
Studies show that incivility is rising in workplaces and can harm employees, managers, and the broader organization.
Consequences of incivility include reduced job satisfaction, decreased productivity and performance, and increased employee turnover.
Organizations with higher levels of incivility tend to have poorer financial outcomes.
Fostering civility has been shown to improve collaboration, employee engagement, likability, and relationships between coworkers and with customers. Establishing clear policies and norms for civil conduct is critical.
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The Five Main Components of Civility in the Workplace
- Respect—Treating all coworkers, regardless of title or background, with dignity and value. Do not insult or demeaning others.
Example: Addressing coworkers politely by their name and title. Not making prejudiced comments.
- Awareness – Being conscious of how your communications and behaviors affect others. Avoiding insensitive remarks.
Example: Not telling an offensive joke that stereotypes a group.
- Engagement – Making an effort to interact with coworkers positively and building rapport and understanding.
Example: Greeting coworkers each morning and asking about their weekend.
- Communication – Listening carefully when others express your viewpoint clearly, and avoiding confrontational language.
Example: Letting a coworker finish speaking before responding. Using “I feel” statements.
- Inclusion – Ensuring all coworkers feel welcomed and valued and seeking diverse perspectives.
Example: Making new hires feel part of the team and soliciting input from introverted coworkers.
How to Maximize Civility in the Workplace
- Leaders should role model civil conduct and address incivility when it occurs. This establishes behavioral expectations.
- Provide civility training to employees to build awareness and skills. Teach conflict resolution approaches.
- Implement organizational policies that promote respect, diversity, and healthy communication. Outline clear procedures for reporting unacceptable behavior.
- Encourage civil group norms by facilitating respectful discussions of differing views. Highlight areas of common ground.
- Hire managers who value diverse perspectives and foster an atmosphere of trust. Seek input from employees on improving civility.
Recognizing Where Greater Civility Is Required
Signs that greater civility is needed include:
- Increased interpersonal conflict and arguments.
- Employees seem isolated, excluded, or marginalized.
- Rudeness, gossip, prejudice, harassment, or bullying.
- Poor communication and collaboration between departments.
- High employee turnover rates.
- Customers complain of rude treatment.
- Stagnant innovation and groupthink.
The Value of Civility in the Workplace
Civility in the workplace provides many benefits, including:
- Improved morale and job satisfaction – Employees feel respected and engaged when treated civilly. This intrinsic motivation fuels better performance.
- Enhanced collaboration and teamwork – Civility enables smoother group coordination and sharing of diverse perspectives. This spurs innovation.
- Stronger relationships and rapport – Thoughtful, civil conduct builds trust between coworkers, managers, and customers. This facilitates effectiveness.
- Increased productivity and achievement – A civil climate minimizes needless distractions and conflict. This allows focus on achieving shared goals.
- A more inclusive and diverse culture—Civility demonstrates that all backgrounds and identities are valued, making the workplace more equitable.
Features and Benefits of Civility in the Workplace
- Respectful communication – Fosters openness to share ideas and give constructive feedback.
- Conflict resolution – Allows differences to be addressed with toxic coworkers without escalation or residual resentment.
- Emotional intelligence – Enables perceiving others’ needs and tailoring interactions accordingly.
- Etiquette and manners – Provides a framework for polite, considerate interchanges.
- Cultural awareness – Helps ensure language and conduct show sensitivity to diverse backgrounds.
- Responsiveness – Demonstrates attentiveness by promptly addressing others’ concerns.
- Tolerance – Promotes acceptance of divergent viewpoints and patience with mistakes.
- Inclusiveness – Values and solicits input from all voices, especially marginalized ones.
- Professionalism – Upholds workplace rules and integrity standards through civil conduct.
5 Tips to Promote Greater Civility
- Set the tone by modeling civil behavior daily, such as using respectful language and actively listening.
- Confront incivility professionally when it occurs and enforce policies consistently.
- Train staff on civil communication, emotional intelligence, and diversity.
- Celebrate employee achievements and create opportunities for positive interactions.
- Hire managers who exemplify and encourage civil conduct.
5 Step-by-Step Instructions to Use Civility
- Assess the impact of your communications and actions on others.
- Empathize with coworkers’ perspectives even when differing from yours.
- Respectfully discuss any conflicts. Find common ground.
- Collaborate with an open mind. Consider all ideas and input.
- Provide constructive feedback sensitively. Do not attack personally.
Conclusion
Civility requires constant effort but cultivates a more positive and productive workplace.
Leaders must model and advocate for civil conduct through policies, training, and open communication.
By treating each other with respect and dignity, organizations can unlock more significant innovation, fulfillment, and success.
Civility’s benefits extend far beyond the workplace, creating a more just, compassionate, and collaborative society.
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With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.