Protect your employees against workplace incivility

In today’s workplace, incivility, verbal abuse and physical aggression from external parties such as customers, clients or service providers are becoming increasingly common. Employers must therefore implement an effective prevention strategy to protect their workforce.

This article explores the impact of workplace incivility on employees and organizations, outlines the key steps of a prevention strategy, and highlights the employer’s responsibilities in addressing these risks.

What is workplace incivility?

Workplace incivility includes inappropriate behaviors such as rudeness, intimidation, verbal abuse, physical aggression and vandalism. These behaviors can come from external individuals interacting with employees during their work.

Source: French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS) – External Violence Guide.

How does workplace violence affect employees?

Acts of violence, whether physical or verbal, can have serious consequences for employees’ health and well-being.

They not only undermine employees’ dignity and integrity, but can also have lasting effects on both their physical and psychological health, including psychosocial risks (PSRs). These impacts often extend into employees’ personal lives and may persist over time.

Protecting employees’ health and safety is therefore essential.

What are the impacts of workplace incivility on businesses?

Workplace incivility and violence not only affect employees but also have significant consequences for organizations. These incidents can create a toxic work environment and damage the company’s reputation.

Beyond their economic, operational and social impacts, preventing and managing these situations is in every organization’s best interest.

What are employers’ responsibilities in preventing workplace incivility?

Under Article L4121-1 of the French Labour Code, employers have a legal obligation to ensure the physical and mental health and safety of their employees.

This includes preventing workplace incivility and violence by implementing appropriate preventive measures adapted to working conditions and continuously improving the work environment.

Key steps in an effective prevention strategy

Reducing the risks associated with workplace incivility requires a structured approach combining risk assessment and corrective actions. Organizations should establish a clear policy stating that all forms of violence are unacceptable and that every incident must be addressed.

Incident reporting and field feedback are also essential for triggering corrective and preventive actions and measuring their effectiveness.

Choosing an integrated prevention solution

Managing workplace incivility is far more effective when supported by an integrated HSE prevention solution.

Such a platform covers the entire process, from employee incident reporting and automated notifications to designated managers, through to action plans and performance monitoring. It also connects prevention with the Document Unique (DUERP), occupational accidents and diseases (AT/MP) management, training records and more.

By integrating workplace incivility prevention into a digital approach, organizations can anticipate incidents, measure their impact and implement effective action plans. This not only protects employees but also improves productivity and strengthens the company’s reputation.