The statistics and studies behind incivility tell a powerful story. Here are just a few examples:

A 2020 study of nearly 8,000 respondents found that in 97.8% of healthcare workplaces, one one or more uncivil behaviors were reported. These uncivil behaviors were linked to:

  • Poor teamwork, 
  • A climate of less safety,
  • Lower job satisfaction, 
  • And poor perceptions of management. 

We’re talking about public humiliation, turning backs on another, hanging up on phone calls. Comments with sexual/racial/religious or ethnic slurs, and various forms of bullying.

In a survey of 4,500 doctors and nurses, 71% tied abusive conduct and rude behavior to medical errors. An eye-opening 27% of these clinical team experts tied these same uncivil actions to patient deaths.

Keep this important point in mind. These numbers only come from those who are opening their mouths. Incivility is far more common than harassment and discrimination, and it is a clear precursor to far more impact that simply hurting feelings.  

 

For instance,

 

These are ONLY the findings and incidents that are BEING REPORTED

 

Image all the incivility that is NEVER reported, addressed, or managed. 

 

Nearly 7 out of 10 Americans report experiencing incivility on a regular basis. 

What’s regular?

 

  • In 2019, Weber Shandwick reported an average of more than 10 instances of people receiving incivility each week. That’s BEFORE COVID.

 

  • More than 80% of people agreed upon the consequences on unmanaged incivilty

 

Harassment

Intimidation

Threats

intolerancedisrimination, and much more

 

Incivility MAY NOT be harassment or discrimination, but it often is a precursor.

 

And just to show you how it impacts individuals in their work…let me share THIS with you.

 

In a poll across seventeen industries, among workers who have been on the receiving end of incivility:

 

48 percent intentionally decreased their work effort 

 

38 percent intentionally decreased the quality of their work

 

66 percent said their performance declined

 

78 percent said their commitment to the organization declined

 

And 25 percent admitted to taking their frustration out ON CUSTOMERS

 

c, February 8, 2021. https://www.cloudmineinc.com/consequences-of-non-adherence-in-healthcare/.