Accounting for Differences in Norms of Respect

Abstract

Incivility, an often ignored but potentially destructive workplace behavior, represents violations in norms of respect. The authors propose that norms of respect may not be shared within a work place and that variations in norms are reflected in the way individuals assess uncivil behavior toward others. Tests are carried out for variations in personal norms of respect with data from observers of the behavior by professional men toward a professional woman. Results from this study suggest that males and females may have different thresholds at which they perceive a vio lation of their norms of respect. Furthermore, perceptions may be affected by observers’ social identification (by race and sex) with either the perpetrators or the targets of incivility. The authors discuss implications from the study for perpetuating workplace inequalities.