Civility Matters

Civility Matters: Workplace Incivility and Bullying among Staff in Long-Term Care

Speaker: Heather Cooke, PhD | Manager, Research and Knowledge Mobilization for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Dr. Heather Cooke is the Manager, Research and Knowledge Mobilization for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Having worked in the field of dementia care in both a front-line and research capacity for more than 25 years, she is passionate about improving the lives of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, be it in the community or long-term care settings. Heather holds a Masters degree in Gerontology from Simon Fraser University and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Victoria. An adjunct professor in the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia, Heather also teaches in the Masters of Health Leadership and Policy Seniors Care program

Panel Discussion joined by:

Jennifer Baumbusch, RN, PhD, FAAN, FCAN, Professor and CIHR Chair in Sex and Gender Science in the UBC School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia

Habib Chaudhury, PhD, Chair and Professor in the Department of Gerontology at the Simon Fraser University

Amanda Grenier PhD, Professor in the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, the Norman and Honey Schipper Chair in Gerontological Social Work, and a Senior Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Hospital

Abstract: Conditions associated with uncivil workplace relationships, such as excessive workloads, limited resources and high job demands, all describe the current long-term care workplace. Of concern is the potential workplace incivility has to disrupt respectful and collaborative relationships essential to quality care provision. In conjunction with the challenges of an aging workforce, ongoing staff shortages, and retention and turnover issues, there is a clear need to attend to the issue of workplace incivility within the long-term care sector. Research conducted pre-pandemic illustrated the pervasiveness of peer incivility; while bullying acts were rare, incivility was an almost daily occurrence. Constant exposure to gossip, exclusion, and blame and criticism impacted staff physical and mental well-being and care delivery. In response to the findings, we worked with SafeCare BC, union and industry partners to create Civility Matters, an online toolkit to support staff to address workplace (in)civility and promote supportive and collaborative workplace relationships. The toolkit includes webinars on the nature and impact of incivility, practice-based scenarios for addressing (in)civility and positive workplace relationships, and a collection of e-resources for creating collaborative and cooperative workplaces. Dr. Heather Cooke will highlight findings from the initial research followed by a brief overview of the Civility Matter toolkit and its relevance and potential for practice change.