Political and Social Viewpoint Differences Escalating Workplace Incivility as Election Day Nears, New SHRM Research Finds

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – With Election Day fast approaching, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, today released a new wave of data with a concerning trend: political and social tensions fueling workplace incivility, amounting to nearly 190 million uncivil acts per day. As political discourse reaches a fever pitch, SHRM’s Civility Index highlights a growing urgency for workplaces to prioritize respectful communication, empathy, and inclusion.

During Q3, U.S. workers scored a 46.1 on the Civility Index when asked about incivility they experienced or witnessed in their everyday lives, marking the highest score recorded to date amidst a steady rise throughout 2024. In the workplace, the Civility Index climbed to 37.2 in Q3. These scores place the civility level in Zone 3, a clear indicator action is needed as incivility remains a common experience. 

“In today’s polarized environment, the data speaks for itself in the ripple effect incivility can have on an individual employee and subsequently, an entire organization,” said Alex Alonso, Chief Data & Insights Officer at SHRM. “To truly counteract incivility, workplaces must foster cultures that prioritize inclusion and diversity. Encouraging respectful dialogue and focusing on empathy across differences is crucial, especially as external pressures like the upcoming election intensify. By actively addressing incivility and embracing diverse perspectives, organizations can protect productivity, improve employee well-being, and strengthen their overall success.”

Key Findings from SHRM’s Civility Index:

• Political Divisions at Work: 47% of workers attributed political viewpoint differences as a contributor to workplace incivility, which spiked 27% from Q2 to Q3, reflecting rising tensions in the workplace ahead of the election.
• Political Divisions in Everyday Life: 49% of workers said political viewpoint differences contributed to incivility encountered in their everyday lives, making this the top contributor to everyday life incivility with a 22.5% increase since Q2. 
• Absenteeism Impact: For workers who have personally experienced or witnessed incivility while at work, those workers reported intentionally taking an average of about 1.6 days away from work over the past month.
• Total Economic Loss: Combined, reduced productivity and absenteeism due to incivility cost U.S. businesses approximately $2.17 billion each day.

Perceptions of Civility: A Call for Leadership Action

• General Sentiment: Nearly 60% of U.S. workers believe that society is generally uncivil today.
• Leadership Gaps: 68% of workers felt their managers could have done more to address incivility, while 65% believe business goals often take priority over employee well-being.
• Overlooked Behaviors: 60% of workers said managers have ignored uncivil actions in the workplace.

SHRM offers resources for fostering workplace civility, including our Civility Starter Kit, which includes:

• Political Playbook: a guide designed to empower employers with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complex landscape of political discussions in the workplace.
• 5 Step Guide to Civil Conversations: A practical guide to giving teams a leg up on fostering civility every day in the workplace, and it starts with a single conversation. 
• Cards Against Incivility: Conversation starters for team building designed to encourage open communication and reinforce the importance of respectful dialogue in the workplace.

Methodology:

A sample of 1,620 U.S.-based workers was surveyed between Aug. 27 and Sept. 4, 2024, using a third-party online panel. For the purposes of this study, participants were required to be employed by an organization. Those who were self-employed, retired, or an independent contractor did not qualify to participate. Data is weighted to reflect the U.S. working population as of July 2024 on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, age, full-time/part time status, and location based on U.S. Census division.

About SHRM [Pronounced “SHERM”]

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.