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A recent study has shown that one colleague’s rudeness in a work environment can cause all of those who come into contact with the person to make more mistakes. The study has provided interesting statistics about politeness in the workplace, but perhaps its most significant part of the findings is the fact that they have major implications for the healthcare profession.

It’s in the numbers

Professor Rhona Flin, a psychologist at the University of Aberdeen, led a study which found that one in ten workers experience rudeness in the workplace. Interestingly, it’s not just the person who’s subjected to the rudeness whose performance is affected – the person being rude, and even those who witness the interaction, are also likely to do their jobs with less efficiency after seeing the incident take place.

Bad for your health

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It’s not just in the office that rudeness causes people to make errors – in fact, the study paid special attention to the field of healthcare, and found that the risk of causing errors as a result of rudeness was particularly troubling there. Two thirds of those surveyed had felt aggression from nurses and half had had similar experiences with doctors – and if doctors and nurses are this rude, it may mean that they’re increasing each other’s chances of making dangerous mistakes.

Keep it kind

Staying civil in the office or in any workplace can do more for you than just making your working environment more pleasant – it’ll also allow you to do your job better. So, there you have it – reason enough to be kind about your co-workers’ annoying little habits, share the office supplies, and offer to make everyone a cup of coffee now and then. Unless you’re in the healthcare profession you may not save a life, but at least you’ll keep the peace.

Tags: office, office supplies