A two-study article coauthored by our IDOCAL colleague Vicente González-Romá (Bouckaert et al., 2026, JOOP, https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joop.70096)
examines how witnessing incivility prompts bystanders to engage in incivility themselves.

Results showed that higher levels of witnessed incivility positively predicted subsequent changes in mental and emotional work fatigue, as well as changes in instigating incivility.

By considering the role of bystanders, this research advances our understanding of low-intensity forms of vicarious mistreatment in the workplace, demonstrating that even indirect exposure to incivility can deplete employees' mental and emotional energetic resources and contribute to the development of toxic work environments.