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Study – Research shows rude behavior at work is increasing

  • The cost of bad behavior affects the bottom line: “Rudeness at work is rampant, and it’s on the rise. In 2011, half of the workers surveyed by Professors Christine Porath of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and Christine Pearson of Thunderbird School of Global Management said they were treated rudely at least once a week – up from a quarter in 1998. New research from Porath and Pearson shows the tangible cost of this bad behavior. Through a poll of 800 managers and employees in 17 industries, Porath and Pearson discovered just how people’s reactions play out. Among workers who’ve been on the receiving end of incivility:
  • 48% intentionally decreased their work effort
  • 47% intentionally decreased the time spent at work
  • 38% intentionally decreased the quality of their work
  • 80% lost work time worrying about the incident
  • 63% lost work time avoiding the offender
  • 66% said that their performance declined
  • 78% said that their commitment to the organization declined
  • 12% said that they left their job because of the uncivil treatment
  • 25% admitted to taking their frustration out on customers”

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