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Observing workplace incivility.

Tara C Reich1, M Sandy Hershcovis2

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This summary is machine-generated.

Witnessing workplace incivility prompts observers to punish the perpetrator, not the target. Observers

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Area of Science:

  • Organizational Behavior
  • Social Psychology
  • Workplace Dynamics

Background:

  • Interpersonal mistreatment at work frequently occurs publicly.
  • The role of bystanders in workplace incivility is under-researched.
  • Witnesses significantly influence the social dynamics of negative workplace interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how witnessing workplace incivility affects observer reactions.
  • To determine if observers punish perpetrators or support targets of incivility.
  • To explore the emotional mechanisms underlying bystander responses to workplace mistreatment.

Main Methods:

  • Two experiments were conducted to simulate workplace incivility.
  • Study 1 involved participants (N=60) interacting virtually with an alleged instigator and target.
  • Study 2 utilized in vivo interactions (N=48) with confederates during a job task.

Main Results:

  • Observers consistently punished the instigators of incivility.
  • Reactions toward the targets of incivility were largely unaffected.
  • Negative emotional responses toward the instigator mediated the observed effects.

Conclusions:

  • Bystanders actively respond to workplace incivility by sanctioning perpetrators.
  • Witnessing incivility elicits negative emotions in observers, driving punitive actions.
  • Understanding bystander behavior is crucial for addressing workplace mistreatment.