Walking on eggshells: A self-control perspective on workplace political correctness.

Area of Science:

• Organizational Behavior
• Social Psychology
• Applied Psychology

Background:

• Workplace political correctness involves modifying language and behavior for sensitivity and tolerance.
• Increasing employee entrenchment in opinions and microaggressions highlights the need to study political correctness.
• Political correctness, though intended to protect others, is resource-intensive and can be a double-edged sword for employees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the nomological network of political correctness by examining its antecedents, mechanisms, and outcomes.
• To understand the motivation behind workplace political correctness (other orientation).
• To investigate the costs of political correctness (cognitive resource depletion) and its impact on home life (marital behavior).

Main Methods:

• The study draws from self-control theory.
• It employs five empirical studies to investigate political correctness.
• Research examines antecedents, mechanisms, and consequences of workplace political correctness.

Main Results:

• Other orientation is identified as an antecedent to workplace political correctness.
• Cognitive resource depletion is a key mechanism explaining the costs of political correctness.
• Political correctness enactment is linked to negative home-based outcomes, including angry and withdrawn marital behavior.

Conclusions:

• Workplace political correctness has significant resource costs for employees.
• The effects of political correctness extend beyond the workplace, impacting personal relationships.
• Further research is needed to fully understand and manage the implications of political correctness in organizations.