Lack of civility in U.S. workplaces is costing American businesses an estimated $2.1 billion per day

A new study from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that workplace incivility is costing U.S. businesses around $2.1 billion every day through lost productivity and rising absenteeism. The research points to reduced work effort, lower quality output, and higher employee burnout as the main drivers of this loss, all of which are being amplified by political tensions, return-to-office policies, and widespread layoffs.

Key Findings

Lost Productivity
Employees who face or witness rude or disrespectful behavior often scale back their effort, engage less in their work, and produce lower-quality results.

Absenteeism
Workplace incivility also correlates with higher absence rates, as employees take more days off to avoid toxic environments.

External Stressors
The 2024 election cycle and ongoing political divisions have been cited as significant contributors to the recent spike in workplace incivility.

Organizational Shifts
Mandated office returns and waves of layoffs are further fueling tensions, leading to more frequent displays of rudeness or hostility on the job.

“Digital Bravery”
Online communication platforms have made it easier for workers to engage in harsh or blunt exchanges, which often lack the respect shown in face-to-face dialogue.

Measuring Incivility

The SHRM Civility Index tracks behaviors such as curt interactions, unfriendly remarks, and hostile exchanges to assess how they affect employee morale and overall productivity. The data highlights the toll these behaviors take on both worker well-being and company performance.