One of the most important issues for workers is to feel that they are needed, respected, and heard. It makes sense. Typically, that should be the reason why an organization, company, or any other site would want to hire the worker. Otherwise, why would they engage the person if the employee was not going to be an asset?

In conjunction with the purpose of hiring people who contribute positively is the belief that their affiliation should be maintained. Yet, despite these “expectations,” there are many instances when the worker is not treated positively or with civility (i.e., politeness or courtesy). Instead, they are treated with incivility (rudeness or discourteousness). This type of negative behavior is not rare or limited to certain workplaces.

The reality is that not every person is kind and considerate to others, especially in situations where one party has more authority than the other and wants to make that “perfectly clear.” This may be a personality characteristic, a lack of respect for the individual, or an attempt to desensitize the recipient to difficult circumstances. Clearly, it is not a form of “niceness,” but it can be a means to educate the recipient and possibly force them to become resilient in tough times.

For example, being rude, ignoring a worker, or not including them in off-site events. Although this may not rise to the level of legally proscribed behavior, it is hurtful and can have some psychological repercussions for the “ostracized” individual.

One profession where a person’s civility is often challenged is medicine. Medical students and interns (having little experience in........

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