Incivility among U.S. employees rose 21.5% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Society for Human Resource Management’s Civility Index.
SHRM surveyed 1,587 U.S. workers between Jan. 22 and Jan. 30. The Q1 2025 Civility Index score of 48.8 marks the second highest level since the index launched in early 2024.
Workplaces that experienced layoffs or mass terminations and return-to-office mandates in the past year saw higher levels of reported incivility. On average, employees at those organizations reported committing 67% and 63% more acts of incivility, respectively.
Nearly 3 in 4 workers said their manager could have done more to prevent incivility.
Workplace incivility can range from overt actions, such as making rude comments or shaming, to more subtle behaviors, like interrupting or gaslighting, Fortune reported April 2. To avoid this, senior leaders should establish clear behavioral expectations and equip managers with de-escalation tools.
The top five reported contributors to workplace incivility were:
- Political viewpoint differences
- Differences of opinion on social issues
- Racial or ethnic differences
- Gender differences
- Age or generational differences
