How Personality Shapes Workplace Incivility: A Theoretical View

Workplace incivility, characterised by low-intensity, ambiguous behaviour such as disrespect, rudeness, and discourtesy, disrupts workplace harmony and erodes organisational culture. Although these behaviours may appear minor, their cumulative impact can significantly harm individuals and organisations, manifesting in decreased morale, productivity, and well-being. Personality traits play a crucial role in shaping how employees perceive, experience, and respond to workplace incivility, influencing its outcomes and associated costs. However, existing literature offers limited insights into how these personality differences exacerbate experiences of workplace incivility, leaving a critical gap in understanding this phenomenon. This conceptual paper draws on victim precipitation theory and trait activation theory to examine the intricate relationships between agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and negative affectivity with workplace incivility. By integrating these theoretical perspectives, this paper proposes a framework to understand how personality traits influence susceptibility to incivility and its subsequent effects on individuals and organisations. This study aims to advance theoretical discourse, guide future empirical research, and inform organisational strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of workplace incivility.