The victim perspective of incivility: The role of negative affectivity, hierarchical status, and their interaction in explaining victimization

Incivility is an expression of disregard toward others in a social interaction in which one side is victimised by the other. Whereas previous victimisation research has largely focused on overtly aggressive behaviours, this study shifts the lens to the more subtle and ambiguous phenomenon of incivility, and examines psychological and organisational factors that shape who is likely to be targeted. Specifically, the study investigates whether negative affectivity and hierarchical position predict employees' experiences of being a target of incivility, and whether hierarchical status moderates the relationship between negative affectivity and victimisation. Data were collected via an online survey from 295 employees working in different organisations. Findings indicated that employees exhibiting higher negative affectivity and lower organisational status encountered incivility more frequently. Importantly, the victim's hierarchical status moderated the way in which negative affectivity influenced uncivil encounters, such that the effect of negative affectivity was more pronounced for those lower in the hierarchy. Theoretical implications are discussed regarding the role of stable individual differences and structural position in explaining patterns of victimisation, and practical implications are offered for managers who seek to protect vulnerable employees and design respectful workplaces.