Disrespect at Work: What It’s Doing to You

Most employees don’t leave jobs because of workload alone.

They leave because of how they’re treated.

Subtle, repeated disrespect, often called workplace incivility, can quietly erode confidence, performance, and wellbeing. Even behaviours that seem minor on the surface add up over time.

What Counts as Disrespect?

Workplace incivility is defined as rude or discourteous behaviour that violates norms of respect, often with ambiguous intent to harm (Cortina et al., 2001). Examples include:

• Being interrupted or spoken over
• Eye rolls or dismissive tone
• Public correction or subtle humiliation
• Exclusion from key decisions
• “Jokes” at your expense
• Withholding information

Even small, repeated acts of disrespect can create significant stress.

The Evidence on Impact

Emotional and Cognitive Effects

Daily incivility can lead to emotional exhaustion, reduced positive affect, and energy loss over the workday. Protective factors like optimism and detachment after work can help buffer these effects (Garrosa et al., 2022).

Health and Recovery

Hospital nurses experiencing everyday incivility reported higher stress and lower wellbeing at the end of the day, but strong social support during the workday mitigated these effects (Carmona‑Cobo & Lopez‑Zafra, 2022).

Escalation Risk

Longitudinal studies indicate that persistent incivility can predict psychological distress and even escalation into bullying if left unaddressed (Holm et al., 2022).

Work Engagement and Turnover

Meta-analyses show that incivility is linked to lower job satisfaction, reduced engagement, and higher intentions to leave (Shi et al., 2022).

Why Disrespect Feels So Personal

Your nervous system reacts to social threat the same way it reacts to physical threat. Being dismissed, excluded, or undermined triggers stress responses, which can show up as:

• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Reduced concentration
• Feeling drained or anxious
• Loss of confidence

These are natural responses to an unsafe social environment, not weakness.

Practical Steps for Employees

Even in workplaces that tolerate incivility, there are evidence-based strategies you can use to protect yourself and manage the impact.

• Identify Patterns Clearly: Recognise whether behaviours are occasional or persistent; label them accurately.
• Document Calmly: Log dates, behaviours, witnesses, and impacts.
• Set Boundaries: Use brief, professional statements to stop escalation.
• Strengthen Social Support: Lean on colleagues, mentors, and allies (Carmona‑Cobo & Lopez‑Zafra, 2022).
• Protect Your Recovery: Step away mentally after work; use mindfulness or tech-free downtime (Garrosa et al., 2022).
• Evaluate Organisational Culture: Assess leadership, complaint handling, and systemic tolerance.
• Seek External Support: Get confidential guidance if wellbeing, sleep, or confidence is affected.

Health-Informed Approach

At the 11th Hour clinic, we focus on:

• Nervous system responses to stress
• Organisational power dynamics
• Strategic communication
• Career alignment and wellbeing

Disrespect isn’t just a social problem, it’s a health issue.

Take Action Today

You don’t have to manage workplace disrespect alone.

If daily interactions are affecting your health, confidence, or work performance, book a confidential session with our team at 11th Hour Clinic. We’ll help you:

• Understand your experience and stress responses
• Develop practical strategies to navigate incivility
• Protect your wellbeing and professional growth

Book Your Appointment Today

References

Carmona‑Cobo, I., & Lopez‑Zafra, E. (2022). Hospital nurses experiencing day‑to‑day workplace incivility: A diary study on the benefits of daily social support. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(6), 1577–1589.

Cortina, L. M., Magley, V. J., Williams, J. H., & Langhout, R. D. (2001). Incivility in the workplace: Incidence and impact. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 6(1), 64–80.

Garrosa, E., Blanco‑Donoso, L. M., Moreno‑Jiménez, J. E., McGrath, E., Cooper‑Thomas, H. D., & Ladstätter, F. (2022). Energy loss after daily role stress and work incivility: Caring for oneself with emotional wellness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23, 3929–3959.

Holm, K., Torkelson, E., & Bäckström, M. (2022). Workplace incivility as a risk factor for workplace bullying and psychological well‑being: A longitudinal study. BMC Psychology, 10, Article 299.

Shi, J., Wang, L., & Zhou, M. (2022). Workplace incivility and turnover intention: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1), 25.