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

Abstract

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.

Introduction

This research investigates workplace incivility—low-intensity disrespectful behavior—and its impact on faculty well-being and organizational commitment in higher education institutions in Madhya Pradesh, India. Incivility includes dismissive comments, exclusion, and non-verbal cues that, though subtle, lead to serious consequences like stress, burnout, reduced engagement, and damaged organizational culture.

Key Focus

• Examines how emotional and physical well-being mediate the relationship between workplace incivility and:

  • Job engagement

  • Occupational health

  • Organizational commitment

Theoretical Frameworks Used

• Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory: Incivility depletes psychological and physical resources, reducing performance and commitment.

• Social Exchange Theory: Violations of mutual respect reduce morale and loyalty.

• Stress Theory: Incivility acts as a stressor, impairing coping abilities.

Contextual Importance

• Faculty members in Indian higher education, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, work in hierarchical, resource-constrained environments that intensify incivility.

• COVID-19 further exacerbated stress through digital miscommunication and increased isolation.

Key Findings from Literature

• Incivility negatively affects:

  • Job satisfaction

  • Emotional stability

  • Physical health

  • Collaboration and teamwork

• Transformational leadership and supportive organizational culture help mitigate these effects.

• Studies worldwide have shown similar patterns in sectors like healthcare, public services, and academia.

Research Design

• Methodology: Cross-sectional study with 400 faculty members.

• Tool: Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

• Variables:

  • Independent: Workplace incivility

  • Mediators: Job engagement, physical and emotional well-being

  • Dependent: Organizational commitment (affective, continuance, normative)

Hypotheses

1. Workplace incivility negatively affects organizational commitment.

2. Job engagement mediates this relationship.

3. Occupational health (emotional and physical) also mediates the relationship.

Implications

• Individual level: Need for resilience-building and stress management.

• Organizational level: Importance of anti-incivility policies, leadership training, and culture reform.

• Societal level: Aligns with broader efforts to improve workplace health, equity, and productivity.

Conclusion

This study underscores the significant impact of workplace incivility on employees\' work attitudes, occupational health, and organizational commitment within higher education institutions in Madhya Pradesh. The findings reveal moderate levels of incivility, which, while not crippling, contribute to emotional strain and occasional physical health challenges among employees. Despite these challenges, employees exhibit resilience through high job engagement and a strong continuance commitment, driven by the perceived costs of leaving their organizations. However, moderate affective and normative commitment suggest room for improvement in fostering emotional bonds and moral alignment with the institution. Addressing workplace incivility through targeted interventions, promoting a culture of respect, and supporting employees’ emotional and physical well-being are crucial steps toward enhancing organizational commitment and overall workplace harmony. This research highlights the need for sustained organizational efforts to create a healthier and more inclusive work environment.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Pratima Singh, Dr. Swarna Parmar, Dr. D. S. Rana. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.