The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has just recently been provided with the final report from McMaster University regarding “Workplace Incivility and Other Work Factors”.  This report was conducted since it was clearly determined in Phase I of the study that incivility linked to well- being and job satisfaction was present at Canada Post. This study was conducted by McMaster University in cooperation with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Although Canada Post was invited to participate in the study, they declined.

Aims of the Study:

As set out in the research proposal, the main aims of this study were to determine:

• The magnitude of incivility, with and without associated sexual harassment, among Canadian postal workers;
  
• The extent to which incivility contributed to psychological distress.
  

In addition, secondary questions were explored:

• The effects of incivility on job satisfaction;
  
• The effects of sexual harassment on job satisfaction;
  
• The impact of various work organization factors (job control, job demands, social support at work) on distress and satisfaction;
  
• The demographic and job factors associated with the experience of incivility and sexual harassment;
  
• The characteristics of instigators of incivility and sexual harassment;
  
• How distinct the measure of incivility is from measures of bullying and sexual harassment.
  

Further, it was hypothesized that:

• Incivility and bullying would only be moderately related;
  
• Incivility would predict health outcomes even after allowing for work factors such as job strain;
  

Social support and coping skills would help to reduce any effects of incivility on health.

The Union believes that the results of this study will assist in addressing some of the numerous issues faced by Postal Workers. Copies of the complete study are available upon request from the undersigned.

An injury to one, is an injury to all.