Civility in the Workplace

It’s no secret that this is a time of year when students become overwhelmed with the semester and that creates a flurry of activity. It is also a time in which I know we show our love of the profession with excellent customer service to our users, often going out of our way to help.  I see examples all the time when I go by the iDesk or receive notes and see social media posts from appreciative patrons.

I am however concerned that there is still an undercurrent of a lack of respect for the work that others do which manifests itself in troubling behaviors towards each other.  There are no unimportant jobs or staff of lesser importance than others here.  The UConn Code of Conduct sent out last week in the Daily Digest includes a section on civility where I was reminded that one of our values is to work in an environment that promotes a spirit of civility and collegiality, while fostering open and constructive intellectual debate including those times we may disagree about our priorities or varied approaches. We all have a responsibility to treat each other with consideration and respect. These are the standards we follow as valued colleagues and employees.

There are days I go home with real concern about this lack of respect and compassion we still show to one another. I also believe that many times this isn’t on purpose. We don’t see how our behavior is affecting our colleagues. Tone of voice, body language, or a shortness in your response during a time of stress can carry significant weight. I think we can do better and I am committed to being a part of this. I am working with Holly and Khara to schedule some time for our supervisors to meet with the University’s ombudsman Jim Wohl. Our supervisors are often on the front lines of this issue, working with their own staff and members of other units to work out differences. Jim is also a great resource for you as individuals. I have gone to him myself and found him to be a wonderful listener and able to provide actionable advice. I am also putting out a call right now to see if anyone is willing to work together on appreciation/getting to know each other events.

Civility in the workplace can often seem like it is too big to tackle, particularly when we are feeling the stretch of fewer staff, increasing work and an uncertainty with the State budget. Yet like anything else, change comes from one person at a time and each of us has a role to play in building a civil and respectful work environment. So I ask you all to join me in helping to make progress in this area by following these three simple rules:

1 –Self-monitor the respect you display in all areas of your communications, including verbal, body language and listening.  Approach each interaction with respect, regardless of whether you believe that the other person’s behaviors “earn” or even elicit that respect.

2 – Avoid the tendencies to become caught up in gossip, complaining, or other forms of negativity in day-to-day interactions.

3 – Be supportive of the Library and your colleagues when talking with people both inside and outside of the organization.

Many of you who were here when I joined the UConn Library may remember the ‘One Good Thing’ exercise in which I asked you to tell me one good thing about your supervisor, and supervisors were asked to do the same for each of their staff. With new staff and new challenges, I am asking each of you to send me one good thing about any member of the staff. If both staff members are in agreement, I will gladly share them in future messages.

If today each of us shows respect and good manners to our colleagues, we can make a difference.