Abstract:

Recognizing the ethical obligations of leadership, this study examines how supervisor-initiated insults violate principles of respect, thereby contributing to the deterioration of employees’ mental health and impairing their performance. Further, this process is particularly salient for politically inept individuals, who lack the social competencies required to effectively influence or persuade others. The research hypotheses were tested using time-lagged data collected in three rounds from 205 employees and their peers. The results support the study’s predictions, indicating that persistent exposure to rude supervisory behavior is so upsetting for politically inept victims that it triggers mental health symptoms, as their limited political skill constrains their ability to navigate, mitigate, or escape such stressful situations, thereby leaving them overwhelmed and ultimately hindering their capacity to meet expected performance standards. The findings provide valuable insights for organizations and managers by highlighting the importance of curbing disrespectful supervisory conduct and protecting their workforce's mental health.

Please choose your submission type: Full Paper

Primary Track: Organisational Psychology

Keywords: Employee Health, Safety and Well Being at Work    ;Employee Attitudes and Motivations   ;Organizational Misbehaviour    ;Critical perspectives in organisational psychology   

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Dr. Muhammad Khan