Workplace Incivility and Its Effects on Emotional and Physical Well-being: A Study of Faculty Members in Higher Education Institutions in Madhya Pradesh

Workplace incivility has emerged as a critical issue affecting the emotional and physical well-being of faculty members, particularly in higher education institutions. This study investigates the impact of workplace incivility on faculty well-being, job engagement, and organizational commitment in the context of higher education institutions in Madhya Pradesh. Employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study analyzes data collected from 400 faculty members to test hypotheses on direct and mediated relationships. The findings reveal that workplace incivility has a significant negative impact on emotional and physical well-being, which in turn mediates its adverse effects on job engagement and organizational commitment. Results from hypothesis testing indicate that workplace incivility significantly reduces organizational commitment (path coefficient = -0.45, p = 0.000) and job engagement (path coefficient = -0.30, p = 0.000). Emotional and physical well-being are identified as key mediators in these relationships, underscoring their critical role in mitigating the detrimental effects of incivility. The study also demonstrates the robustness of the measurement model, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.762–0.941) and composite reliability values exceeding 0.7. Model fit indices such as SRMR (0.039) and NFI (0.915) confirm a strong structural model. These findings emphasize the need for higher education institutions to adopt proactive measures to address workplace incivility, promote faculty well-being, and foster a supportive organizational culture. By doing so, institutions can enhance faculty engagement, improve occupational health, and strengthen organizational commitment, contributing to overall institutional effectiveness