Why Do We React Differently When Observing Workplace Ostracism and Incivility? A Test of Mechanisms

Workplace ostracism and workplace incivility have generally developed into separate literatures, despite both being low-intensity negative behaviors at work with ambiguous intent to harm and sharing similar nomological networks. This raises the question of whether workplace ostracism and workplace incivility should be considered the same construct – paralleling the larger discussion in the workplace mistreatment literature about how to distinguish workplace mistreatment constructs from each other. We suggest that one area where differences will manifest is in observer reactions towards the targets and perpetrators of workplace ostracism and workplace incivility. Integrating stigmatization, empathy, and deontic justice perspectives, we propose that observers will react more negatively to the targets (and more positively to the perpetrators) of workplace ostracism compared to the targets (and the perpetrators) of workplace incivility. A lab study supported our predictions, with more negative reactions toward the targets of workplace ostracism being conveyed through less empathic concern and perceived fairness of the treatment, and more positive reactions toward the perpetrators of workplace ostracism being conveyed through fairness perception. Theoretical and empirical implications of our findings were discussed.