Reducing turnover intent: supervisor and co-worker incivility and socialization-related learning

Abstract

Organizational researchers need to better understand what constitutes uncivil supervisor and co-worker behaviours and how to reduce their occurrences in workplaces. This study uses the lenses of organizational socialization and social exchange theories to interpret the influence of supervisor and co-worker incivility on employees' socialization-related learning and turnover intent. The results revealed that supervisor incivility had both a direct and indirect effect on turnover intent. Future research testing the model in diverse international contexts is recommended, and practical organizational efforts such as conflict resolution strategy training and diversity awareness training for supervisors are discussed as possible means to reduce incivility and turnover intent.