NIC_Civility_PPT 11 2023.pdf

The Causes and Effects of Workplace Incivility on Employees

Presented by Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon

M ee t th e ho st

Christopher Smith

Christopher Smith has more than 20 years of correctional experience. He worked in four separate institutions in the Bureau of Prisons before being hired as a Correctional Program Specialist for the

National Institute of Corrections. Christopher has a

Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Indiana State

University. He is a veteran of the United States Air

Force.

M ee t th e pr es en te r

Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon

Rowlanda is Dean of the College of Business and an

Associate Professor of Management at Northwest

University in Kirkland, Washington. She worked for the

Washington State Department of Corrections for eleven years before transitioning to higher education.

Rowlanda’s correctional experience includes serving as a Correctional Unit Supervisor, Community Corrections

Officer, Business Analyst, and Communications

Consultant.

Agenda

• Civility vs. Incivility

• The Incivility Continuum

• Incivility in Corrections

• Examples of Civil and Uncivil Behavior

• Causes of Workplace Incivility

• Negative Effects of Workplace Incivility

• Benefits of Civility

• Practices to Promote Workplace Civility in Corrections

Civility costs nothing and buys everything.

- Mary Wortley Montangu

Civility vs. Incivility Civility involves courtesy, politeness, consideration and respect toward others. Incivility is characterized by rude and discourteous behavior that reflects a lack of regard and concern for the wellbeing of others.

The Incivility Continuum

• Rude comments

• Insensitive actions

• Unintentional slights

• Complaining

• Gossiping

• Cultural bias

• Crude jokes

• Profanity

• Yelling

• Belittling comments

• Intimidation

• Threats

• Discriminatory remarks

• Cursing at someone

• Humiliation

• Assault

• Battery

• Throwing objects

• Violent outburst

• Inappropriate touching

• Harassment

Negative Behaviors Verbal Aggression Physical Aggression

Note: Adapted from The Incivility Continuum by Kirsten Schwehm (2011)

Knowledge Poll

What percentage of frontline workers do you believe experience incivility in the workplace at least once a month?

A. 92%

B. 43%

C. 76%

D. 58%

E. 62%

S ur ve y

Re su lt s

In a recent survey, Dr. Christine Porath, a professor at Georgetown University, collected data from over 2,000 workers across 25 industries worldwide, which revealed the following:

• 76% of respondents experience incivility at least once a month

• 78% of respondents said they witness incivility at work at least once a month, and 70% of respondents witness it at least two to three times a month

Source: Porath (2022){

Incivility in Corrections Correctional agencies are not immune to issues associated with incivility. Correctional leaders and employees must adopt effective approaches to identify and address incivility.

Common Examples of Civil and Uncivil Behavior

Reflect concern for others

Use respectful supportive language

Actively listens

Demonstrates openness to others' ideas

Approaches conflict with a desire for resolution

Addresses conflict in private

Communicates honestly and directly

Positioning oneself over others

Displaying a lack of regard for others

Addressing others in an unprofessional way

Ignoring others and their opinions

Using intimidating or threatening communication

Using hostile body language

Excluding others from having input

Source: Regents University of Minnesota (2023)

What is civil behavior? What is uncivil behavior?

Exploratory Poll

Select any of the following common examples of uncivil behavior that you have experienced or witnessed in the workplace within the last month:

A. Displaying a lack of regard for others B. Using intimidating or threatening communication

C. Excluding others from having input D. Addressing others in an unprofessional way

Causes of Workplace Incivility

1 3

Personal

• Stress

• Low employee morale

• Toxic attitude and mindset

• Personality conflicts

• Conscious and unconscious bias

• Misuse of positional power

Organizational

• High demanding, stressful jobs

• Toxic work culture

• Unexpected organizational change

• Unrealistic expectations and Pressing deadlines

• No accountability for perpetrators

• Heavy reliance on technology

Negative Effects of Workplace Incivility

Research indicates that employees:

• Avoid offering new ideas and solutions

• Deliberately decrease their productivity

• Lower the quality of their work

• Avoid offering help

• Steer clear of the offender, creating inefficiencies

• Take their frustrations out on others

• Spend less time at work

• Leave the company

Source: Monych (2023)

Civility does not ...mean the mere outward gentleness of speech cultivated for the occasion, but an inborn gentleness and desire to do the opponent good.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Mentimeter Prompt

In one to two words, share what you believe is the greatest benefit of civility in your workplace.

1 6

Im pr ov in g Co rr ec ti on s

Benefits of Civility

• A safer workplace

• Greater job satisfaction and commitment

• Relationships and trust is strengthened

• Conflict and drama is reduced

• People feel valued

• Employee retention increases

• Higher work productivity

Practices to Promote Civility in Corrections

• Be positive and be respectful to all employees

• Don’t excuse employees or others who behave uncivilly

• Use conflict resolution to resolve issues at every level

• Establish and communicate behavioral expectations

• Hire professional employees and train them in workplace civility

• Be your own advocate and advocate for others until they can find their own voice

• Communicate zero tolerance for incivility

Source: Indeed (2023)

Questions & Answers

The Role of Leaders and Managers in Cultivating a Workplace of Civility

Join us for webinar part-two:

April 26, 2023, at 10 am PT/ 11 am MT/ 12 pm CT/ 1 pm ET

Contact Info Christopher Smith Correctional Program Specialist National Institute of Corrections cmsmith@bop.gov

Dr. Rowlanda Cawthon Dean, College of Business Northwest University rowlanda.cawthon@northwestu.edu

Managing Principal Rowlanda Cawthon & Associates, LLC rncawthon@hotmail.com mailto:cmsmith@bop.gov mailto:rowlanda.cawthon@northwestu.edu mailto:rncawthon@hotmail.com