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.
171M
U.S. workers collectively experience 171 million acts of incivility per day.
58%
Over half of U.S. workers believe our society is uncivil.
1M
SHRM is leading the change starting with 1 million civil conversations.
Every voice makes a difference. Have you been civil today?
Civility Starts With You
SHRM is committed to bridging this divide and fostering inclusivity in the workplace through the 1 Million Civil Conversations initiative. Explore resources for integrating awareness of civility in your organization.
Start the Conversation
Building trust and creating a safe space for others to share their thoughts can begin with you. Keep these cards in your back pocket to turn discord into dialogue and conflict into opportunity.
Join the Conversation
We are all responsible for championing better workplaces through open and civil dialogue. Share your commitment and engage with us on social media using:
#CivilityAtWork
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Civility at Work
Civility in Action
Civility Defined
The State of Civility in the Workplace
Our research shows the importance of navigating the delicate balance of encouraging open dialogue while maintaining respect for individual differences as we aim to build a more respectful, understanding, and collaborative world of work.
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Nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers have experienced or witnessed incivility in their workplace within the past month.
Source: SHRM Research on Civility, Conflict and Expression, February 2024
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One-third of U.S. workers believe workplace conflict will increase over the next 12 months.
Source: SHRM Research on Civility, Conflict and Expression, February 2024
Insightful Content, Expert Perspectives
Many U.S. workers are bracing for more political discussions at home and work. Half of employees believe workplace political discussions hurt the work environment, according to new data.
Much of the conflict in workplaces plays out over email and text, often due to misunderstandings about tone and intent of the communications. Experts offer tips on keeping email messages civil and understandable.
Inflation and talent shortages continues to be a top concern for organizations in 2024, and HR is stretched thin trying to recruit and retain top talent while reducing costs and increasing efficiencies.
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