Incivility does not always arrive as a major blow up. More often, it shows up in small moments: the interrupted comment, the unanswered message, the eye roll in a meeting, the dismissive tone, or the decision to stop listening before someone has finished speaking.
Those moments may seem minor in isolation. But over time, they shape how people experience the workplace – it becomes the acceptable culture.
According to SHRM, nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers have experienced or witnessed workplace incivility within the past month. That should get every employer’s attention.
Civility is not about avoiding disagreement. Healthy workplaces need different perspectives, honest questions, and productive discussions. The issue is not whether people disagree — it is how they disagree. Some techniques are better than others, and ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL!
A civil workplace is one where people can raise concerns, ask questions, challenge ideas, and work through differences without disrespect, shame, dismissiveness, or blame. It requires communication, accountability, empathy, and a willingness to pause before reacting. In other words- what are you doing intentionally everyday to support and promote Psychological Safety.
In our upcoming HR Answers session, Fostering Civility, we will explore how everyday behavior either builds or weakens trust. Participants will practice noticing early signs of incivility, evaluating language and actions, strengthening active listening, using the “Yes, and…” method, and setting practical standards for respectful workplace behavior.
A respectful workplace is good for morale. It is also good for safety, retention, productivity, and teamwork – things we ALL want.
Civility starts with each of us — in the next email, the next meeting, the next conversation, and the next moment when we choose curiosity over judgment.
Join us for this practical two-hour virtual session on Wednesday, October 7th and leave with tools you can use right away.
To learn more and to register click here: https://hranswers.trainercentralsite.com/all-courses