Workplace Incivility and Its Impact on Public Employees’ Job Search Behavior

Abstract

While extensive research documents that workplace incivility has negative consequences for both employees and organizations, there has been limited research on how workplace incivility experiences affect public-sector employees. This study examines the associations between workplace incivility experiences and public employee job satisfaction and job search behavior. Relying on the Conservation of Resources theory, this article develops a research model that suggests that workplace incivility experiences prompt job search by lowering employee job satisfaction. The analysis of survey data collected from 751 professional employees working in a state-level law enforcement agency shows that both supervisor and coworker incivility are associated positively with employee job search behavior, but supervisor incivility has a stronger association. Moreover, the analysis shows that the indirect effects of supervisor incivility and coworker incivility on job search behavior through job satisfaction are stronger for employees of color and weaker for older employees. These findings have implications for public-sector human resource management.