While a training program on workplace manners and courtesy may seem like overkill, the reality is; rudeness is an epidemic costing industry millions a year. Indeed, what society seems to be gaining in terms of both knowledge and technological advancement, it is losing out on basic social values that directly impact the bottom line. The result: an environment not conductive to getting work done, dissatisfied customers leaving, and in some cases, blatant tolerance for abuse and harassment.
What Is Uncivil Behaviour?
Civility represents the social norms and rules that must be followed in order to positively and productively relate with others.
Three Reasons Why Employees Should Be Civil
- There is no escaping. Cliché as it sounds, no man is an island. You need to be able to build and maintain good relationships with employees, colleagues, suppliers, consumers… the list is endless.
- There are many benefits to practicing civil behaviour. It helps create a positive working environment. Motivation theories support that happy and relaxed workers are productive workers, and are willing to go the extra mile for the company. Also, absenteeism and low employee retention is common in companies where incivility is the norm. The deliberate practice of civility can help a person grow as an individual. Civility teachers emotional intelligence and a person can learn to control anger and frustration better until an appropriate time comes to express them.
- It is the right thing to do. Violence and ill-will against other people, regardless of degree, never creates a positive work environment. We all must advocate tolerance, equality, cooperation and mutual support. The world has already past the age where its each man for his own, where set-interest in pursued at all cost. We can afford to be more polite and above irrational reactions.
Dealing with Difficult Personalities
A huge space of stress at work is the need to adjust to different personalities. Each person is unique and even when you are dealing with responsible and emotionally mature colleague, friction is inevitable simply because the other person will never be 100% similar to you.
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