A thought leader paper created by the Security Executive Council highlights a troubling rise in incivility and other negative behaviors in America. National surveys indicate most U.S. workers see society as uncivil, with employees experiencing hundreds of millions of rude interactions daily – costing businesses an estimated
$2 billion per day in lost productivity. The report charts increases in workplace disrespect, retail theft, rule defiance, and even violent incidents since 2019, warning that these trends are undermining employee morale and safety. Companies are beginning to respond – from deploying security measures to cutting store hours – but experts say many organizations remain ill-prepared for the growing climate of discord and aggression.
This broad looking analysis – conducted by the Security Executive Council and drawing on reputable public data – avoids speculating on the root causes of these behavioral shifts. Organizations should assess the implications of these changes and determine their strategic course of action. and the implications for businesses.
The SEC's core audience, corporate security practitioners, can use the paper’s findings to strengthen organizational resilience. Recommended actions include:
- Convening security department meetings to discuss the findings and their implications
- Raising awareness and fostering alignment around potential organizational impacts
- Updating employee and supplier codes of conduct
- Enhancing internal and external social media policies
- Revising threat assessment criteria to include emerging behavioral indicators
- Reviewing early intervention strategies and support resources
- Gauging employee perceptions of safety and civility through surveys or listening sessions
You can download the full report here:
