Rude behavior at work has come to be expected, like donuts in the breakroom. Two decades of research on employee relationships shows that 98 percent of employees experience rude behavior at work, but now a new study suggests a large majority of workplace relationships are not characterized by rudeness. Isolated incidents of rude behavior at work, although somewhat common, do not point to widespread incivility between employees and their colleagues, according to a new 麻豆原创 study.
鈥淏ecause prior research suggests workplace mistreatment is harmful and widespread, it is often called an epidemic, but our findings show that rude behavior is less like the flu and more like cholera,鈥� says Shannon Taylor, an associate professor of management and co-author of the report. 鈥淚t is still harmful, but far less common, and outbreaks are often traced to a single source 鈥� much like a contaminated water pump.鈥�
While the study was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor says his team鈥檚 findings are just as applicable to remote work environments. Collaborating remotely presents a variety of challenges that can lead to miscommunication and misinterpretation.
鈥淎s employees return to work on-site, our study suggests developing and maintaining good relationships with co-workers is important now more than ever,鈥� Taylor says.
The study, co-authored by 麻豆原创 doctoral student Lauren Locklear, was . The project takes a closer look at the influence of workplace relationships on disrespectful behavior in the office.
The study examined rude behavior among restaurant, manufacturing and office workers. Researchers found that while most employees experience rudeness at work, these experiences came from a small number of co-workers. Although 70% of employees experienced rudeness at work, only 16 percent of workplace relationships were characterized by rude behavior.
An employee鈥檚 individual personality, position and other traits are major factors in determining the level of incivility present in a given workplace. Across all study groups, researchers found that unique relationships between colleagues have just as strong an influence in determining whether workers will be rude to one another.
鈥淓ven if one employee is a jerk to everyone and their co-worker is the office punching bag, there is still something about their unique relationship that explains how well they get along together,鈥� Taylor says. 鈥淢ost people do experience rude behavior, but most of their relationships are not characterized by rudeness.鈥�
Behavioral expectations and workplace culture also play a key role in influencing employee mistreatment. But an employee鈥檚 perceptions about how their colleagues should treat each other have a stronger impact on rude behavior than an employee鈥檚 perceptions about how their colleagues actually treat each other.
鈥淓mployees鈥� beliefs about what is 鈥榬ight and wrong鈥� at work have a big impact on what happens on the job,鈥� says Locklear. 鈥淓mployers should ensure there are strong norms for respect and civility in the workplace. Having a zero-tolerance policy for these rude behaviors is key to stopping mistreatment in its tracks.鈥�
Being clear and encouraging positive interactions will be key, the study鈥檚 authors say.
鈥淥耻谤 shows gratitude and appreciation are important aspects to fostering positive employee relationships and decreasing negative workplace behavior,鈥� Locklear says. 鈥淓xpressing these positive behaviors will be essential in determining how smoothly we return to in-person work environments.鈥�
Other study authors include: Donald H. Kluemper, an associate professor in University of Illinois at Chicago鈥檚 Department of Managerial Studies, and Xinxin Lu, a Ph.D. student at University of Illinois at Chicago鈥檚 Department of Managerial Studies.
