If the boss is the perpetrator of workplace incivility or workplace bullying, he will discover down the line that his toxic attitude does more harm than good for the company he is being paid to serve.
Workplace incivility can include negative work behavior that can either be subtle or rude, is done with total disrespectful and disregard for co-workers, and may or may not carry the intention to harm (Glenn, n. d.). It may simply appear as rude or uncouth behavior. At times, it may simply seem to be an innocent cajoling, that for others may already border on harassment.
The interpretations of workplace incivility can come varied and subjective. What may be oppressive for one can be an ordinary thing for another. It all depends on the level of sensitivity of the supposed victim. What runs common among instances of workplace incivility is their negative impact on at least one person, as well as the negative consequence it can ultimately bring to the business organization. Workplace incivility is also not uncommon. The toxic boss, for instance, is not a rare species.
The saying that ‘no one can oppress you without your consent’ does not necessarily apply in workplace incivility. Because the business organization is a formal structure of human resources, there can be unavoidable times when a worker can consciously or unwittingly offend or hurt a co-worker. One thing is clear: workplace incivility victimizes both the employee and the company. It is all about disrespect and lack of consideration for the victim.
Employee turnover brought about by incivility in the workplace comes at a huge cost to employers. The administrative adjustments to address employee turnover means cost in time, resources, and finances. The outgoing employee needs to be paid severance and accrued benefits costs, and new hiring for replacement will entail time for personnel processing in interview appointments, background checks, medical exams, and orientation seminars (Fuller, n. d.).
Via Bully OnLine/Harvard Business Publishing
