What does it mean to be RUDE at work?

Dictionary.com has 11 different definitions for RUDE.  Here are just a few...

• discourteous or impolite
• unmannerly and uncouth
• rough, harse or ungentle
• violent or tempestuous
• harsh to the ear

WOW!  Those are some tough words.  Hopefully, none of you work in an environment with someone who is "rough, harsh or ungentle" or "violent and tempestuous."  If you have employees who act this way towards each other, it is your responsibility as a leader to address it immediately.

There are many reason why rudeness in the workplace is inappropriate.  It dampens morale, stiffles creativity, and leads to an unmotivated workforce.

Now there is even more research to validate this!

A study released today by the University of Florida concludes that concludes that employees who are not the intended targets of abusive workplace remarks still suffer from their effects.

"Simply observing discourteous behavior erodes fellow employees’ ability to think creatively, solve problems, be good team players and even goes so far as to make them harbor deep, dark and destructive thoughts, said Amir Erez, a University of Florida management professor...Managers should be very concerned because the negative consequences of rudeness on the job are not limited to the person who happens to be the victim,” he said. “If five other people are watching, the effects are going to spill over into the rest of the organization"

To read the entire article, click here.

In other words, co-workers who have to witness the rude behavior are affected by it as well, even though it was not directed at them.  Eriz goes on to say that witnessing acts of rudeness also makes people less likely to help their co-workers.  With so many organizations and departments working in groups, teams and shifts, this is cause for concern. 

So what can you do as a leader to combat rudeness in the workplace?

• When you encounter employees being rude to each other, intervene right away.  Invite one of them into your office and ask discovery questions to find out the heart of the issue.

• Keep a closer eye on your employees during these turbulent times.  Many employees are facing some new financial difficulties at home, and they make be taking it out on their fellow employees.

• Remind your team of your expectations of them.  Use a team meeting or a group event to reiterate your expectations/policies when it comes to employee behavior at work.

Finally, never forget to take a look in the mirror.  Many times employees are simply treating others as their manager treats them.

(...and by the way, for those of you who were not wrestling fans in the 80's, the above picture is of Ravishing Rick Rude, one of the greatest wrestlers of his time.  You knew there had to be some connection, right?)