Starting a new job comes with its share of surprises. Some workplace norms feel outdated—like rigid dress codes that younger generations are rightfully challenging. Others, however, remain essential: treating colleagues with respect, maintaining professionalism, and fostering a civil work environment. These behaviors don't just create pleasant workplaces; they're fundamental to building productive, diverse organizations where everyone can succeed.
Unfortunately, new research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reveals a troubling trend: workplace incivility is surging across America, and it's costing businesses far more than hurt feelings.
The Staggering Financial Impact
SHRM's comprehensive study examined widespread reports of workplace misconduct—from rude emails and curt interactions to more serious behavioral issues. The findings are alarming: workplace incivility is draining approximately $2.1 billion from the U.S. economy daily, translating to over $766 billion annually. This astronomical figure represents more than three-quarters of a trillion dollars in lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and other secondary costs.
Breaking down the numbers further reveals the scope of the problem. With 168 million Americans heading to work each day, SHRM documented roughly 208 million witnessed acts of workplace incivility. This means that on any given day, there are more instances of workplace misconduct than there are working Americans.
Even more concerning, over 60% of surveyed workers believe American society has become fundamentally uncivil—a sentiment that's clearly spilling into professional environments.
The Perfect Storm of Factors
The timing isn't coincidental. SHRM noted that reports of workplace incivility increased sharply around the 2024 elections, jumping from 198 million incidents in the previous quarter. This surge points to broader social and political tensions infiltrating workplace culture.
Jim Link, SHRM's chief human resources officer, identifies a key culprit: "digital bravery." This phenomenon mirrors online trolling behavior, where people feel emboldened to make inflammatory comments from behind screens. The problem arises when this digital boldness translates to face-to-face interactions, with employees believing they can bring the same confrontational approach to their physical workplace.
Real-World Examples
The impact extends beyond statistics. Online forums and news outlets are filled with workplace horror stories that would make any HR professional cringe. Reports range from romantic disputes spilling into parking lot fights to instances of workplace violence requiring immediate intervention. Other examples include remote workers facing discrimination and various forms of harassment that create hostile work environments.
These stories highlight a crucial point: many employees experiencing workplace incivility don't feel comfortable reporting it to management, potentially allowing toxic behaviors to fester unchecked.
What Leaders Must Do
For business leaders, ignoring this trend isn't an option. The financial implications alone demand attention, but the human cost—decreased morale, increased turnover, and damaged company culture—makes action imperative.
Effective solutions require more than blanket policies prohibiting difficult conversations. Instead, successful approaches include:
- Leadership by example: Executives must model the civil behavior they expect from their teams
- Clear behavioral expectations: Companies need explicit guidelines about acceptable workplace conduct
- Skills training: Investing in interpersonal skills development, including active listening and conflict resolution
- Safe reporting mechanisms: Creating channels where employees feel comfortable addressing incivility
Workplace civility isn't just about being nice—it's a business imperative. With over $766 billion at stake annually, companies that fail to address rising incivility risk significant financial losses alongside damaged reputations and depleted talent pools.
The solution requires intentional effort from leadership to create cultures where respect and professionalism aren't just encouraged but actively cultivated. In today's polarized environment, building civil workplaces may be challenging, but it's more crucial than ever for organizational success.