Incivility to Burnout: Coworker Support Makes the Difference

Abstract

Workplace incivility has become a prominent issue within organizations due to its detrimental effects on employee health and overall organizational performance. This study investigated the connection between workplace incivility and burnout, while also examining the moderating influence of coworker support among professionals in the human services sector. Utilizing the Stressor–Strain Model and the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) framework, workplace incivility was defined as a job stressor potentially leading to burnout, whereas coworker support was identified as a job resource that could mitigate this adverse effect. A cross-sectional correlational research design was utilized, gathering data from 545 human service professionals, including university faculty and medical practitioners, employed in both public and private institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Standardized tools were employed to assess workplace incivility, burnout, and coworker support. Correlation analysis indicated a positive association between workplace incivility and burnout, while coworker support exhibited a negative correlation with burnout. Furthermore, moderation analysis revealed that coworker support significantly moderated the relationship between workplace incivility and burnout, diminishing the negative impact of incivility. These findings emphasize the protective function of coworker support in alleviating burnout and highlight the necessity of cultivating supportive workplace environments to counteract the adverse effects of incivility.