Rudeness at Work: Impulse over Restraint

Abstract

Office rudeness is on the rise. Catcalls, disparaging remarks whispered behind closed doors, and raging e-mails are testaments to the fact that many of us are overworked and stressed out. While much has been written about violence in the workplace, it is often the small and subtle egregious acts, the little incivilities, that take the largest toll. Rudeness is at the low end of the continuum of workplace abuse; workplace rudeness isn't violence or harassment or even open conflict, although it can build up to any of those things. Links between the work environment and indicators of employee loyalty, commitment, and productivity show this is not a “fluff” issue. In addition, a recent study on workplace incivility reveals that rude employees and managers can cost a company millions of dollars a year. This paper will give some background on rudeness at work, identify the kinds and causes of poor behavior, enumerate the costs to organizations, and discuss what employers can do to reduce rudeness at work.

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