Incivility is Costing Workplaces Billions
Is Yours at Risk?
Workplace incivility isn’t just a frustration—it’s a $2.1 billion daily drain on productivity and morale. SHRM’s latest Civility Index reveals that 8.7 million acts of incivility occur every hour, fueled by political tensions, workplace stress, and leadership inaction.
The Civility Starter Kit includes:
- 2025 Q1 Civility Index
- Political Conversations Playbook
- Cards Against Incivility
- 5 Steps to Encouraging Civil Conversations at Work
The Importance of Civility in the U.S.
Practicing civil behavior establishes a safe and empathetic environment where individuals can contribute their best ideas, knowing they will be heard and valued. Civility is more than making others feel comfortable; it's about creating a dynamic, diverse, and productive workplace where everyone can thrive.
161M
161 million people work in the U.S. every day.
58%
Over half of U.S. workers believe our society is uncivil.
223M
U.S. workers collectively experience 223 million acts of incivility per day.
$2B
U.S. organizations collectively lose about $2 billion per day in reduced productivity and absenteeism.
Conversations Across the Aisle
Cultivating Civility in Politics
Join Emily M. Dickens, SHRM’s Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs as she leads a discussion with The Honorable Richard Burr and The Honorable Heidi Heitkamp on the importance of civility in the modern workplace.
Tempers Are Hot Leading Up to Election Day. We Must Practice Civility, Especially at Work.
Commentary by Johnny C. Taylor Jr. for U.S. News
Navigate Difficult Conversations with the Political Conversations Playbook
Discover strategies to support a civil work environment with our newly released Political Conversations Playbook. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you implement practical, effective conversations that drive understanding and respect of political differences among peers.
Download the Political Conversations Playbook to:
- Maintain civility through difficult topics
- Build an open and inclusive company culture
- Plot a course for your organization in times of uncertainty
Fostering Civil Conversations at Work
SHRM and Inclusivv have created exclusive resources to empower SHRM members to foster civil conversations at work. Watch the Video Tutorial and download the Host Guide to learn proven techniques, essential mindsets and effective frameworks to engage in open and honest conversations.
Inclusivv provides civility trainings and workshops to help organizations build cultures of trust, inclusion and respect through meaningful conversations.
Fostering Civil Conversations at Work
SHRM and Inclusivv have created exclusive resources to empower SHRM members to foster civil conversations at work. Watch the Video Tutorial and download the Host Guide to learn proven techniques, essential mindsets, and effective frameworks to engage in open and honest conversations.
Inclusivv provides civility trainings and workshops to help organizations build cultures of trust, inclusion, and respect through meaningful conversations.
These resources are only available for SHRM Members. Please sign in to your account to access.
Facilitating Open Dialogue with Your Team
Access this free, web-based tool from SHRM and Rising Team to facilitate a team activity for fostering civil and open dialogue:
- Developed from SHRM leadership research on civility
- 30 to 60 minute exercise based on team size
- Builds trust and connection
- Suitable for in-person and remote teams
- Ideal for all levels, from executives to frontline
Insightful Content, Expert Perspectives
Learn how RTO mandates are contributing to increased incivility among workers, according to SHRM’s latest Civility Index, and explore what employers can do to help.
Explore 2025 HR trends, from skills-based hiring and AI's role to people analytics and financial wellness. Discover how adaptability drives workforce success.
Political differences are fueling record-high rates of incivility, according to SHRM’s Q4 Civility Index.
Promoting workplace civility following the election is “HR’s opportunity to make a difference in America,” SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, said at SHRM INCLUSION 2024.
Just ahead of the election, political tensions and disagreements are playing out in the workplace and in everyday life—and contributing to incivility now more than before, according to SHRM’s latest Civility Index.
Workplace miscommunications and misunderstandings are common. Explore these three scenarios to learn how to diffuse tension and promote respectful communication.