Unravelling the impact: supervisor incivility on employee health and the role of affective rumination

Purpose This study investigates the influence of supervisor incivility on two important employee health-related outcomes–somatic complaints and emotional exhaustion. Similarly, the study examines the role of affective rumination as a mediator between the supervisor incivility–somatic complaints and emotional exhaustion relationship. Design/methodology/approach We collected data in three phases, separated by an interval of four weeks. The final sample comprised 154 employees from diverse occupations and professions. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling was used to examine the research model. Findings Employees’ perceptions of supervisor incivility increased somatic complaints and emotional exhaustion experiences. Moreover, drawing on the conservation of resources and the effort-recovery theories, we found support for the mediating role of affective rumination for somatic complaints but not for emotional exhaustion. Practical implications To help protect organizations from financial and productivity losses related to supervisor incivility, we encouraged organizations to be aware of supervisors’ uncivil behaviours and provide training on how to deal with such behaviours. We further advise organizations to coach supervisors on uncivil prevention and the importance of modelling proper behaviours. Originality/value This study expands the limited knowledge of supervisor incivility and health outcomes. Specifically, using a time-lagged design, the findings show that affective rumination is an essential mechanism for understanding the impact of supervisor incivility on health outcomes. Moreover, understanding how supervisor incivility impacts employee health outcomes is vital for advancing theory and designing interventions to mitigate adverse effects.