For many organizations, training employees to avoid engaging in workplace harassment has become a compliance checkbox; policies are in place, training sessions are held, and investigations are conducted when necessary, as required by the relevant legislation and policies. Most employers are beginning to realize, however, that in 2025, simply avoiding harassment is no longer enough. In order to have a truly healthy and productive workplace, people leaders, HR professionals and staff must do more than meeting the bare minimum legal standards of conduct. Creating a healthy work environment requires actively cultivating a culture of civility.
At Bridge Legal & HR Solutions, we help organizations move past a reactive approach to employee relations and toward proactive strategies that foster respect, empathy, and professionalism. Here’s why that shift is so essential:
The Grey Zone Between “Not Harassment” and a Healthy Workplace
Workplace misconduct does not usually start with an obvious incident of harassment; rather, it begins with smaller “grey area” behaviours, such as eye rolls in meetings, or dismissive language. These behaviours often go unaddressed because they do not meet the legal threshold of harassment. But when left unchecked, they can escalate over time.
Studies have shown that almost all employees have experienced some incivility in the workplace, and nearly 50% say that they have experienced incivility once a week. Many of these instances are not reported or resolved. Why? Because they fall into that “grey zone” encompassing behaviours that are not clear violations of law or policy, but undeniably lead to a toxic work environment.
Bridge Legal & HR Solutions works with organizations to identify and address these problematic patterns early, before they snowball into more serious issues. Our team can conduct workplace assessments to identify toxic behaviour patterns and work with you to figure out a healthier path forward, and to help people leaders and management respond effectively and consistently.
The Impact of Incivility on Psychological Safety
Uncivil behaviour erodes psychological safety, the cornerstone of workplace mental health. Researchers have identified a number of psychosocial risk factors that impact both the mental health of individuals and the overall health of organizations; workplace respect and civility is one of those key factors. When employees feel psychologically unsafe at work, they are at a higher risk of chronic workplace stress and burnout, which, in turn, can lead to significant absences from work or even having to leave the workplace altogether.
Bridge Legal & HR Solutions supports HR professionals in embedding these psychological safety principles into workplace culture. Our customized training on civility equips people leaders with the necessary tools to lead with empathy, set clear expectations, and model respectful behaviour.
Civility Drives Retention and Productivity
Aside from the obvious benefits of having workers feel respected at work, teams with high psychological safety are also more likely to engage in cooperative problem-solving behaviour, to have fewer sick days, and to show a greater interest in personal development. Conversely, teams in which incivility is the norm tend to experience higher levels of stress, burnout, and turnover.
Studies have shown that burnout associated with an uncivil workplace has a tangible negative impact on the productivity of an organization. Incivility and workers feeling generally disrespected lead to workers being unable to focus at work and – in some cases – to workers deliberately cutting back on their work efforts.
In short, when employees feel respected and valued, they are more likely to stay, innovate, and go the extra mile. When employees feel disrespected, they are more likely to take time off, waste time at work, and look for another job.
That’s why so many forward-thinking organizations turn to Bridge Legal & HR Solutions. We partner with HR teams to craft effective civility policies that go beyond compliance and promote daily respectful interactions that build trust and drive performance.
How Bridge Legal & HR Solutions Can Help
If you are ready to elevate your workplace culture from merely compliant to genuinely civil, Bridge Legal & HR Solutions is here to support you every step of the way. Our services include:
- Workplace Assessments: A process to help employers find opportunities to increase civility in the workplace
- Customized Training on Civility: Engaging, practical workshops for leaders and teams
- Crafting Civility Policies: Clear, enforceable standards that foster respectful conduct
- Facilitated Conversations and Behaviour Contracts: Helping resolve conflict and set expectations collaboratively
Do not wait for grey-zone behaviours to turn into full-blown workplace issues. Let Bridge Legal & HR Solutions help you create a culture where civility is the norm rather than the exception.
Contact Bridge Legal & HR Solutions today to learn how we can support you with practical and compassionate solutions. To find out how we can help, contact us through our contact form or call us at 647-794-5442.
