RECD: March 2025b
Background
This is a pilot of an experimental manipulation of CWV in the
workplace.
Participants were shown the following:
We have previously asked participants on Connect to describe their
workplace and an episode involving their manager. Today, we will show
you a response from one participant and ask for your thoughts about
it.
We first asked participants to describe the general atmosphere of
their workplace. In the following page is what one participant
wrote:
HIGH CWV CONDITION:
Where I work is pretty cut throat and competitive. you cant trust
anybody, sometimes it feels like you gotta do whatever you gotta do to
get ahead. success is all about manipulation and taking advantage of
others, knowing how to play the game better than everyone
else.
LOW CWV CONDITION:
Where I work is pretty supportive. you can really trust other people
and it feels like other people trust you. the people who get ahead are
collaborative and honest.it’s a culture of cooperation, people go out of
their way to help each other. success is all about teamwork.
Try to picture yourself in this workplace. Imagine being in this
environment day after day, relating to coworkers in this way.
In the space below, please write 1-2 sentences about how you would
act (competitively or cooperatively) toward your coworkers in this
workplace environment.
[OPEN RESPONSE]
Then, participants completed workplace version of CWV, as a manipulation
check.
Then, they read:
We asked the same participants to describe a specific episode in
which their manager wanted to get an employee to perform a task at
work.
The same participant went on to describe the following
episode:
One time, at work, my manager told my coworker to stay late and
finish a report, even though handling reports isnt part of his job. he
told my manager that it wasn’t his responsibility and that he wasn’t
going to do it.my manager stepped close to him and got really serious
and was like… if you’re not willing to do what i ask, don’t expect any
favors in return—i’ll remember this when you ask for time off…you may
not like the schedule you get.
Then, participants completed the following measures: Open response of
relationship impact, relationship impact, compliance impact, and several
measures of hypothetical behavior as the manager.
Demographics
Race
| race | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| asian | 7 | 5.88 |
| black | 13 | 10.92 |
| hispanic | 5 | 4.20 |
| multiracial | 10 | 8.40 |
| white | 82 | 68.91 |
| NA | 2 | 1.68 |
Gender
| gender | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| man | 59 | 49.58 |
| woman | 60 | 50.42 |
Age
| age_mean | age_sd |
|---|---|
| 38.05217 | 10.5953 |
Education
| edu | N | Perc |
|---|---|---|
| GED | 29 | 24.37 |
| 2yearColl | 12 | 10.08 |
| 4yearColl | 49 | 41.18 |
| MA | 25 | 21.01 |
| PHD | 4 | 3.36 |
Income
Measures
Open responses
Reflection on workplace environment
| PID | cond | reflection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | high | I would be incredibly wary of my coworkers. This environment feels like one where I need to always be watching my back. |
| 2 | high | I think I would be super stressed out in this workplace and honestly super wary of everyone around me. I would only look out for myself and my own success and trust no one. |
| 3 | high | I would act competitive but also allow myself for others to work with them to get out job and projects done. |
| 4 | low | I would be relaxed, cooperative and supportive. Always try to see the positive in people. |
| 5 | high | This would be a difficult situation.I would keep to myself and just do my job. |
| 6 | high | I don’t work well in this type of environment at all, so I’m guessing I would be the one getting manipulated! I guess I would act suspiciously like everyone is out to get me. It doesn’t sound fun or like I would be friendly wit my colleagues. |
| 7 | high | I would act very suspicious of everyone I work with and not trust them at all. I would share the absolute minimum amount of information needed in case someone tries to use something against me. |
| 8 | high | If I were in this environment, I would always be on edge. You would need to be on high alert, always wondering what others are doing and if they are trying to screw you over. I would not feel safe or secure in this environment and I would probably just keep to myself. |
| 9 | high | I would be on guard and trust no one. I would be there to do a job, do it well, and leave. |
| 10 | low | If I was in a workplace like this, I would be less competitive and more cooperative. I would love to work in an environment that fosters collaboration over competitiveness. |
| 11 | high | I would work extra hours and go above and beyond on the tasks required of me. |
| 12 | low | I would act cooperatively toward coworkers in this workplace environment because it seems the easiest way to get along and exist within this space. |
| 13 | low | I would be very happy in this work environment. Given that there seems to be an established value of collaboration, I would be encouraged and eager to cooperate with my coworkers. |
| 14 | low | I would work well with my coworkers because it seems like a positive environment. |
| 15 | low | I think I would get along with my coworkers. It would be a cooperative workplace environment. |
| 16 | high | I would adapt to the environment in this workplace. I’m a naturally competitive person and would be willing to to what I have to do in order to succeed. |
| 17 | low | I would work cooperatively with my coworkers. If I wanted to get ahead and be successful it would be necessary to do so due to the nature of the workplace. |
| 18 | high | In this work environment, I would try my best not to add to it. I would not let myself be taken advantage of, and also wouldn’t go out of my way for anyone. |
| 19 | high | I would act very competitively because I get the feeling that this workplace is every person for themselves and coorperation does not get rewarded. I would be genial toward my coworkers because it’s beneficial to me, but I would not go out of my way to help them. |
| 20 | high | I would be stressed all day and it would feel like a reality gameshow. I wouldn’t know who to trust and I would always be questioning everything and everyone. |
| 21 | low | I would like working there. I think the people would be nice and I would like to cooperative with them. |
| 22 | low | I believe that I would work very cooperatively in the workplace described. I truly believe that a person can become the best version of themselves if they surround themselves in a positive environment. |
| 23 | low | I would be in my own world like I typically am and wouldn’t be bothered by anything anyone tells me at any point in the day. |
| 24 | low | I would enjoy this kind of environment. I would definitely cooperate with my coworkers. |
| 25 | low | I believe that things would run very smoothly in this workplace. It seems that there would be open communication without reprimand and this is something not found in many workplaces today. I would act cooperatively towards my coworkers and work through anything that would be needed together. |
| 26 | low | I would be cooperative towards my coworkers because I do not doubt their good intent toward me and my career. |
| 27 | low | I think if I worked in that sort of environment I would probably work in a similar manner. I would strive to remain open and would collaborate with other staff members. |
| 28 | high | Well it does not sound like a good place to work at. No place should be about stepping on one another. I would be looking for something else. |
| 29 | low | i would not act competitively .i would take my time in all aspects, ask for help whenever i needed it and prioritize team work |
| 30 | low | I would like to be a part of a productive team. I think working in this environment would promote effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace |
| 31 | high | I would be secretive towards my coworkers. I would be competitive towards them. |
| 32 | high | I would act competitively in this workplace. I would make sure to only look out for myself and no one else. |
| 33 | high | I would act competitively in this environment, because it is required to survive. The environment is described as cut throat where everyone does anything they can to get ahead of the others. |
| 34 | low | I would probably act with the general environment and be cooperative as much as I could |
| 35 | high | I would assume the culture and act competivitley. If that is what I need to do to get ahead I can play that game and be a fierce co-worker who will beat others at their own game. |
| 36 | low | I would act cooperatively with my coworkers in this workplace. It sounds like a supportive atmosphere where everyone is willing to collaborate in a positive way, so I would be happy to contribute to this culture. |
| 37 | high | In a cutthroat workplace I would tend to keep to myself and focus on my own work, to get ahead. I believe that maintaining consistent focus on my own work is the best way to keep myself from getting distracted by others, whether on purpose or not. |
| 38 | high | I would just try to focus on my work and to not be disruptive. Stay focused. |
| 39 | high | It would be acting with a face on at all times. Not being able to let my guard down. |
| 40 | low | I would be very happy to work in that environment, because it would be one where everyone is willing to work together to achieve their goals. I aim more to be cooperative than competitive, but would accept rewards either way. |
| 41 | high | I would act competitively in this workplace as everyone is out for themselves in this situation. |
| 42 | high | I dont think there is really any workplaces that should be overly competitive. You are on the same team and should be cooperating together and helping each other out. |
| 43 | low | I would act cooperatively. Honestly, that is my default setting, but it would be nice to be in this work place because it seems to be aligned with the way I typically work well. I like a community feeling with a sense of shared goals. |
| 44 | high | Work is independent. We are expected to get our work done by a set time. The expectations are normal and if you want to get ahead, then you need to do work beyond what your asked for. Their are limited promotions, so even if you try really hard, there isn’t much in the matter of promotions. |
| 45 | low | It seems like a great place to work and a great team to be a member of. It seems like the environment is collaborative and encouraging. |
| 46 | low | I would work well with my coworkers in this environment, and I would prioritize teamwork over competition as that is the culture. |
| 47 | low | I would be very nice and polite to my co-workers. If they needed help, I’d be willing to offer it and expect the same in return. |
| 48 | low | In an environment where everyone is very supportive and those that are cooperative are rewarded, I would be very happy to cooperate with my teammates and coworkers and support them however they needed. |
| 49 | high | I probably wouldn’t be very close to anyone, but maybe 1 or 2 people that I trusted. I would try to complete work on my own instead of as a team. |
| 50 | low | My workspace IS that way so this is easy. I love to collaborate with my co workers, and I am not a competitive person. I would gladly work with others, figuring how to divide tasks between them and myself such that we got good results, and then check each other’s work before finalizing it. |
| 51 | low | I would love to work in this environment because there would be no backstabbing or mistrust. When everyone is puling in the same direction with a shared goal of supporting one another for the overall good of the organization, work is a great place to be. |
| 52 | high | This sounds horrible. I would probably be a little of both competitive and cooperative just to be kind of neutral towards the coworkers. Not sure how long I would actually work wherever this is. |
| 53 | low | This place is described as supportive. I would be willing to support my team in this environment. |
| 54 | high | I doubt I would make it in a workplace like this. I would be stressed out all the time. I would probably feel completely detached from my co workers in this situation. I tend to shut down socially when I am under pressure, and especially in competition. I can work well cooperatively, but if there is no trust or genuine compassion between us it just disgusts me. I do not want to succeed in a cut throat environment. I would rather take a pay cut and go elsewhere. |
| 55 | high | It would not be an environment I am comfortable in but I would stay true to myself and not behave in the cutthroat way the user described. I would just do my job and not worry about the all other noise. |
| 56 | low | I would share ideas and areas that I navigated to others who are having difficulties at work. I would be as generous with my time as I could be given my own work that needed completion; they in turn would answer questions that I may have. |
| 57 | high | It is pretty simple, just understand the co worker and only discuss work related things |
| 58 | high | I would operate on my own without such interest in cooperation, based on the environment described. In my view based on the information given, the environment seems to be that I. Which individual success and drive is required to move up. |
| 59 | high | I would probably keep to myself and try to do my best. I wouldn’t try to interact much positively or negatively with others. |
| 60 | high | I would be sick to my stomach having to work in an environment like that. I don;t believe in stepping on others to get ahead. I like to work in an environment where everyone can succeed and willing to help each out for the good of all |
| 61 | low | I would act accordingly and participate as a group trying to attain a common goal. |
| 62 | high | I would be working as hard as I could to find another job. Considering the tough job market out there, I would be working hard on this current job, even though it’s a toxic environment, because it could take a long time to find another position. |
| 63 | low | i would be on my ten toes all the time and ensure i am getting work done by all means possible and necessary |
| 64 | low | I would work cooperatively in order to meet the teams goals. I would make sure to do my part to maintain a healthy work environment. |
| 65 | high | I would just try to be the best at my job. I am not interested in undermining anyone else’s work and if I get ahead, it’s because I deserve it. |
| 66 | low | The way I would interact with my coworkers in this environment is that I would try to make good connections with them but also try not to spread too much information about my life because you just don’t know what people’s true colors are. You have to be careful with people you don’t know. |
| 67 | high | I don’t believe I would be anything other than superficially friendly with my coworkers. I would come into work with the mindset of being the best and performing my best. I will try not to make mistakes and most important, keep my successes to myself |
| 68 | low | I would love working in a place with a collaborative environment, because it encourages a lot of ideation and teamwork. I think we would be more effective than a team of individual contributors, and I appreciate the fact that those that collaborate effectively and foster relationships tend to succeed. |
| 69 | low | I would be happy to work here. I would greet my fellow co-workers as we passed and be very willing to help if asked. |
| 70 | high | I would most likely not develop close relationships with coworkers there due to the fact that it seems that you can’ really trust anyone. So cooperation is likely not on the table. I would keep my focus on work-related tasks only. |
| 71 | high | I would be myself. I don’t usually have to manipulate people to get ahead. I am good at reading others and their motives. I would seek out those that I deem to be worth my time and ignore those that aren’t. |
| 72 | low | I would act cooperatively with all of my coworkers. It sounds like a great work environment where hard work is rewarded. It’s very important to know that there is career growth opportunities at your place of employment. Positive feedback and excellent teamwork are also important and great to have. |
| 73 | high | i would be at alert and ensure that no one takes my space or my spot at all times |
| 74 | low | This sounds like a welcoming environment where everyone’s contributions are valued. I believe I would lean-in often to help wherever needed, even out side of my comfort zone. |
| 75 | low | I would perform my duties as expected of me to complete the tasks im asked to perform and work with others as needed. |
| 76 | low | I would act cooperatively. I would feel at ease. I would feel comfortable working there. |
| 77 | low | Feels like a standard workplace. Everyone is kind of on the same team. |
| 78 | high | i would definitely work competitivey tin the worknolace and i would do my work diligently |
| 79 | high | I would try to push more cooperative behavior, to see if my coworkers would respond and carry out themselves in more cooperative ways instead of being highly competitive. I am a very blunt person, and would likely bring up the highly competitive atmosphere and share my displeasure with it and how it doesn’t benefit us as employees, but it only benefits the company. |
| 80 | low | I would work cooperatively with the group to start, but I would make sure that my input is validated and not ignored. I feel more group thinking might be going on and because of this innovation might be lacking in this environment. |
| 81 | low | i would do my job as well as possible because im a competitive persn naturally |
| 82 | low | I would cultivate relationship and share knowledge to empower the team. |
| 83 | high | I would not enjoy working in this place. If I wished to stay here, I would have to conform to the cutthroat nature of this workplace to get ahead. Therefore, I would be relatively unfriendly toward my coworkers because they would be my competition. |
| 84 | high | I don’t view myself as a particularly competitive person, but I dont think I would be able to help matching the behaviors of others so I would probably join right in. I have noticed that at work, if I see others getting away with certain behaviors I tend to use that as an excuse for acting the same way. |
| 85 | low | In this nurturing workplace, I would focus on teamwork by actively assisting my colleagues and sharing knowledge, understanding that our shared success is more important than individual competition. |
| 86 | high | This enviroment would be a nightmare scenario it seems super cut throat and i would have to be highly competitive and keep my guard up at all times constantly trying to outmaneuver others to get the upper hand. I would not be able to trust anyone but my self and i would have to focus only on my own work and trying to be the best at what i do. There would be very little to no reason to collaborating with anyone or get to know anyone. |
| 87 | high | I am naturally a cooperative person who prefers working in unison and supporting others, as opposed to being cut-throat and competitive. Working in a place like this would make me not only feel uncomfortable and unhappy because it goes against my normal way of doing things, but I would feel like I can’t be my authentic and genuine self. I would be frustrated and not at all happy because I wouldn’t be able to be friendly and helpful towards coworkers, becuae I would get walked all over if I did. |
| 88 | low | I would act cooperatively in this work environment, as it’s the type I prefer. I’m sure everyone would say they prefer it over a hostile environment, but I am a really feedback driven individual and don’t really view myself as the main character in most things. I find it closed off. I would mirror and reciprocate this cooperative environment in the places where my efforts would be best used. It would require honesty though, because if one thing goes wrong and no one wants to break the “mood,” this could lead to disaster in many aspects. It’s important that it’s genuine and organic, not forced and falsified. |
| 89 | high | This workplace environment seems to be very competitive and so I feel the need to take advantage of others and rely heavily on self importance to get ahead instead of working cooperatively. |
| 90 | low | I would act cooperatively because I also believe in teamwork. if a coworker is struggling, offering to help Is a good thing in my opinion. The working environment should be welcoming and helping each other instead of trying to “one up” each other. |
| 91 | high | Being competitive means never letting your guard down and impressing the right people. By never letting your guard down, I mean that you have to be aware of everyone’s intention and not let anyone take advantage of you. |
| 92 | low | I would love this work environment, mine is the opposite. i love a team that is on the same page with coworkers and are supportive of each other. |
| 93 | high | I would feel very uncertain of everything and everyone so I would definitely be extremely competitive towards my coworkers, but at the same time I would try to help those in need |
| 94 | high | I would use coworkers to get as much information as possible, while not giving much away myself. With information, I could leverage my position at work. At the same time, I would be mistrustful of my coworkers. |
| 95 | low | I would feel comfortable and safe coming to work in this environment. I would have a familiar relationship with colleagues and would collaborate easily with them. |
| 96 | high | I think I would have to act competitively. I feel that work would be stifled as everyone would only be out for themselves. This would be very stressful. |
| 97 | high | In such a highly competitive environment, I would probably embrace a strategic approach to safeguard my interests, concentrating on reaching my objectives and being wary of whom I trust. |
| 98 | high | In a workplace where trust is scarce and competition is cutthroat, I would stay strategic building alliance when beneficial but always keeping my guard up. While I would aim to outperform others, I would avoid outright manipulation, focusing instead on leveraging my skills, reading the game, and making calculated moves to stay ahead. |
| 100 | high | Honestly, in a place like that, I’d keep my guard up and play smart-cooperate when it benefits me, but never let my guard down. it’s all about staying a step ahead without getting played myself. |
| 101 | low | i would love to work as part of a team that values teamwork and collaboration. in my job, nobody wants to go out of their way to help others and that really is a bummer. |
| 102 | high | I wouldn’t know to handle myself in a workplace this because it’s the type of workplace I try to avoid. But I’d probably still be able to manage, though I wouldn’t be able to thrive because of my lack of competitiveness. I would try to play the unassuming, quiet, approachable coworker and see how far that gets me, sometimes that’s the best role to play, you do get noticed. |
| 103 | low | I would act cooperatively towards my coworkers. I would partner and share honest thoughts with my co-workers in order to get something done. |
| 104 | low | I would act cooperatively with my coworkers in this workplace environment as it seems to be a environment that supports this behavior. |
| 105 | low | I would feel relaxed and eager to work that morning. I would be greeted with a smile from the building security guard. I would pass my coworkers and say good morning. I would go to the breakroom and get complimentary breakfast to start the day. |
| 106 | low | I would be able to continue with my work knowing that the organization supports its employees in making their own decisions. I would ensure that everyone is involved in any decision I make for the good of the organization. |
| 107 | high | in a situation like this, i would approach encounters tactically, remaining cautions while monitoting and adjusting to others’ techniques. My emphasis would be to acheive my goals without surrendering my ideals, navigating the competition with measured movements. |
| 108 | low | I would act very friendly with my coworkers and improve communication |
| 109 | low | I would act cooperatively with my coworkers. I would offer to assist my coworkers on tasks that they might need help with or that I may have knowledge on. I would be available to my coworkers to provide support when needed. |
| 110 | low | In a high competitive environment I would probably embrace a strategic approach to safeguard my interests. |
| 111 | high | I would be extremely cautious in my relations and I would avoid all forms of overly friendly behaviour |
| 112 | high |
Being authentic can be a powerful asset. People value sincerity, and genuine behavior often transcends competitiveness, paving the way for meaningful relationships. Record Your Accomplishments: Maintain a detailed account of your achievements and contributions. This practice not only aids in performance evaluations but also provides valuable documentation if you need to justify your work at any point. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and understanding your own emotions, as well as those of others, can enhance your ability to handle challenging situations and build stronger relationships. |
| 113 | low | In this collaborative workplace, I would consistently act cooperatively towards my coworkers, valuing teamwork and open communication. |
| 114 | high | I would act competitively towards coworkers because to the stated competitive environment. Due to the cutthroat nature of this work environment, I would most likely not relate to my coworkers besides what is necessary to functionally get the job done. |
| 115 | low | IT IS SUPPORTIVE AND COLLABORATIVE ENVIROMENT, I WOULD FOCUS ON BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH COWORKERS, OFFER HELP WHEN NEEDE AND BE OPEN TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK, I WOULD PRIORITIZE TEAM WORK OVER COMPATITION |
| 116 | low | I would be very calm and completely immersed in my work. I would be pleasant to people who give the same energy |
| 117 | high | Competitiveness is not my strong suit but I guess my approach would to try to be as friendly as possible without showing my hand so to speak. I would be very guarded but you wouldn’t think so; I guess I would be kind of fake. |
| 118 | high | At my workplace I have developed a strong work ethics with flexibility and resilience because of my background and experience. I am highly driven and motivated, aggressively trying to prove my value, gain respect, and move up in my career, all while attempting to balance the need to collaborate with the experienced or domineering coworkers |
| 119 | low | In this environment, I would focus primarily on honest collaboration. My focus on this will be valued by the organization because it seems to be part of their culture. |
| 120 | high | I would not do well in this environment. I would probably be cooperative towards my coworkers and the workplace, even if it meant I was not getting ahead or promoted at the job. |
Impact on employee
| PID | cond | impact_open |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | high | I would expect that this manager made an enemy of this worker. This worker will likely do everything they can to back stab this manager and go over their head at the first opportunity. |
| 2 | high | I don’t think the manager acted fairly by asking the worker to do something not in their job description. However, I do think the worker probably listened and helped with the report out of fear of retaliation. |
| 3 | high | Because his boss seems like a prick. An jerk who I would of just quit for or ask for a raise. |
| 4 | low | I think the worker ended up completing the report for the manager, even though it wasn’t part of his job description. |
| 5 | high | This feels like a threat.I belive the manager could get in serious trouble for this. |
| 6 | high | I’m not sure. Was it an empty threat? Does that manager have any authority to actually follow through with the threat? I’m guessing the coworker maybe stayed late to do the work as quickly as possble, which results in lower quality. |
| 7 | high | I think the worker probably agreed to stay and do the report even though it wasn’t his job because he was intimidated. |
| 8 | high | I think that the manager was able to use their threat effectively to get the worker to stay late and complete the report. The worker was probably scared of the future retaliation and agreed to stay late. |
| 9 | high | The worker probably stopped trusting the manager. They probably looked to quit or make the manager’s life worse by being a worse employee. |
| 10 | low | I think that is an insane response. It is so threatening and unnecessary. |
| 11 | high | I think this manager may have got reprimanded by HR for threatening an employee’s labor rights and the worker may have been happy |
| 12 | low | As a consequence of the manager’s behavior, I think that the worker stayed to complete the task. After that, they probably started looking for a new job. |
| 13 | low | I don’t think anything bad happened to the manager. The worker likely just made a mental note to be cautious around the manager and watch out for themselves. Maybe the worker reported the manager, but it is unlikely. |
| 14 | low | The manager should get demoted and the worker should feel satisfied. |
| 15 | low | The worker was scared of retaliation from the manager. This probably made them less likely to put in extra effort in the future. |
| 16 | high | I think the worker likely changed his mind and did what the manager asked. |
| 17 | low | The worker likely decided to stay late and finish the reports. After all, a schedule is a very important thing. The worker was likely upset and did less good work for the supervisor in the future. |
| 18 | high | I think the coworker would begrudgingly do the work because they don’t want their days (unfairly) messed with. |
| 19 | high | I don’t think anything happened to the manager. I would imagine the worker complied after the manager put that pressure on them so that they didn’t receive the consequences the manager threatened. |
| 20 | high | The manager is in the wrong and should be reported immediately. It is an abuse of power what the manager is doing. |
| 21 | low | I think this would be a difficult place to work. I would not like it. Tension would be higher and moral would be lower. |
| 22 | low | I think that the manager would have gotten a talking to from the human resources department regarding their actions. It is never okay to talk to an employee like that and threatening them if they do not comply with their wishes. |
| 23 | low | I would hope he’d had quit after that as that’s what I would have done |
| 24 | low | I hope that worker went home and didn’t give the manager what they wanted. If they did stay late doing work that wasn’t theirs, the manager just gets more powerful and demanding. You gotta stop that shit before it starts by not cooperating with shit-heads. |
| 25 | low | I believe that the manager scheduled him with less hours or hours that would be less desirable. I believe the worker would no longer feel safe in this environment and be looking elsewhere to find a great workplace as a whole where they would not feel pressured. |
| 26 | low | The worker most likely will capitulate and give in to the demands of the manager. |
| 27 | low | I think that this worker may report the manager to human resources. The employee probably felt very intimidated. |
| 28 | high | well it seems as though the manager is black mailing the employee. Which in no way is a right thing to do at work. So now the employee is in fear of not getting approved for time off. |
| 29 | low | the worker would feel scared and also feel as if the workplace is simply a hostile environment |
| 30 | low | I think the worker would definitely feel intimidated in this situation. The manager is acting like a bully, abusing his/her power. |
| 31 | high | I think the employees probably do what the manager asks even without it being in their job description because they are now afraid of repercussions. |
| 32 | high | I think the employee probably stayed lat to ensure the extra work for the manager got done. The worker was probably infuriated. |
| 33 | high | I think the worker decided to stay late and help with the report, despite their unwillingness and lack of preparation to do so. I think the worker felt unappreciated and threatened, but also knew it was virtually required to comply with the manager’s “order”/request. |
| 34 | low | If it was me, I would start looking for another job. Whether I actually stayed and did the report depends on how long it would take, but probably not |
| 35 | high | I think the employee reported the incident to the manager’s superior and they got a warning for threating an employee with restricting vacation time. |
| 36 | low | I imagine that the worker was taken aback by the manager’s quid pro quo attitude. They probably realized in that moment, if they hadn’t already, that their manager is unprofessional and untrustworthy. The worker was probably not influenced to do the manager any favors in the future due to the entitled attitude. |
| 37 | high | I believe that the worker should have stuck to their beliefs and refused to work outside their job description. This goes against work standards in the US, unless it is part of their contractual obligations. The manager sounds obstinate and should be reprimanded. |
| 38 | high | I think that perhaps the worker could offer to help the manager out but should ask for more compensation if the manager would like further assistance, but the worker should not be required to do work outside of the scope of their job. |
| 39 | high | They were reported for their behavior and with retaliation that included termination |
| 40 | low | I think the coworker went ahead and did the task. However, HR should have been aware of the situation, specifically when favors were mentioned, because that could be determined to be retaliation. |
| 41 | high | I think that the worker probably feels that the manager doesn’t have his back. |
| 42 | high | I think this caused a toxic environment and was the worst way to go about it. They could have discussed and worked together on a solution and instead were arguing and threatening each other. |
| 43 | low | I would assume those that noticed the managers behavior changed their opinion of the manager. Maybe the collaborative work environment slightly deteriorated, although it should have done the same for the employee that declined to help. |
| 44 | high | I think the worker didn’t do the job. The manager ended up messing up his schedule in retribution. Some work places are like that unfortunately. The worker was probably mad, furious, and sad. |
| 45 | low | The worker probably reported the issue to the human resources department or union or the manager’s boss. The worker probably told co-workers about what happened. |
| 46 | low | I would imagine the worker either stormed out and reported the manager to the HR department, or the worker did as the manager asked, although they didn’t want to. |
| 47 | low | The worker probably stayed and did the work as told. |
| 48 | low | Well, the manager probably wanted to intimidate the worker into doing the reports even though it wasn’t his responsibility in any way. That’s what I’m guessing he did. |
| 49 | high | I think the worker probably stayed late and worked on the report. No one wants to go to work every day with a manager who is mad at them. |
| 50 | low | I would expect the worker to complain to either HR or the next level of higher manager, and them to come down on that manager like a ton of bricks for pushing too hard. In the meantime I would offer to help to avoid immediate repercussiosn to the co worker. |
| 51 | low | I am sure that the worked developed a sense of malice and mistrust toward the supervisor, and I don’t blame him. Managerial blackmail has no place in the workplace. |
| 52 | high | Hopefully the worker stuck to his beliefs and didn’t do the reports and hopefully they have a human resources department and he reported the manager. |
| 53 | low | The employee probably chose to start looking for another job. |
| 54 | high | I imagine the worker probably did exactly as the manager demanded. The manager was quite clear that they will make the employee’s life harder if they don’t comply with the manager’s demand. The intimidation was probably quite effective. |
| 55 | high | The worker probably backed down so they wouldn’t face retaliation by the manager. They way the manager stepped towards them is threatening and would unsettle someone. |
| 56 | low | I imagine the worker stayed to do the reports, although damage to their relationship happened on both sides. |
| 57 | high | Since it is not my responsibility i should do it only if i can and i want to and i am certain the manager took it out on the worker |
| 58 | high | The worker likely felt extremely intimidated and as if the manager was grossly abusing their position of power |
| 59 | high | I think nothing happened as a consequence. It sounds more like the kind of place where this would be allowed. |
| 60 | high | I believe the employee stayed late to finish the task so as to not be punished in the future or have something hanging over their head |
| 61 | low | I think it was a very hostile attitude the managers displayed and I think in turn, he completely defeated his purpose with such employee. |
| 62 | high | The worker was trying to establish boundaries. The manager essentially reminded him that, in this environment, you do as you are told and that’s it. Don’t like it? Get another job. |
| 63 | low | maybe the worker has not been doing what the manager wants and he is getting him punished for that |
| 64 | low | The manager was probably reported to HR, who in return tried to find reasons on why that employee isn’t trustworthy. HR protected the manager and their behavior, seeing that HR’s usually don’t act as what their job traditionally entails, but as a safety net for company’s wrongdoings. |
| 65 | high | In this situation? Probably nothing. The worker was threatened by the manager and in the future nothing will probably resolve this. |
| 66 | low | I don’t know. I don’t like to judge situations unless the person is in danger or is an incompetent person. Maybe the manager just had a bad day? |
| 67 | high | It is intimidation. I would assume the manager gets away with it and also gets results that he wants with this behavior. |
| 68 | low | I’m guessing the employee ended up staying late to complete the reporting, which is the result the manager wanted. However, this seems like a terrible way to lead a group of employees and I’m sure it is not a great climate for these workers. That type of threat most likely will lead to that worker becoming disengaged, potentially looking for a different job. While it may have ensured the leader got the reports done that day, it most likely won’t foster long term success for the team. |
| 69 | low | The worker probably complied and did the report anyway. The manager probably still held a small grudge against him for his actions. |
| 70 | high | The employee was given a schedule that was intentionally inconvenient for them. |
| 71 | high | The worker should have said, “I do the job that I was hired and paid to do. If you want me to do more work, we can renegotiate my pay and job description.” |
| 72 | low | I do not feel that either the worker’s or manager’s responses were appropriate. The worker should have helped with the report request. Even though the worker refused to perform the task, the manager should not have threatened the employee with future PTO denials as well as threatening to make the work environment less favorable for the employee. I think this would make for an uncomfortable work environment for the employee. |
| 73 | high | he would have apologized and explained and also maybe ask him to reconsider |
| 74 | low | I believe the employee stayed late and did the report/task, but the relationship between the manager and employee is not further strained and will impact productivity. There is also a butterfly effect that other employees of the same manager will feel. |
| 75 | low | I would imagine the worker was very upset and would either quit on the spot or notify a higher up employee to discuss the problem |
| 76 | low | I think nothing will happen to the manager. The employee will be punished, fair or not. |
| 77 | low | I would quit right away. Screw that. That would be a terrible workplace. |
| 78 | high | there was a time when mark was tye target of the manager |
| 79 | high | Likely nothing. This company sounds like they operate normally in a very toxic mindset and people are likely fearful of retaliation if they were to report it, and likely think that reporting it wouldn’t do any good anyways. |
| 80 | low | The worker most likely finished what was asked, and left upset and angry. The worker’s performance most likely went down for his normal day to day tasks, resulting in a less efficient workplace. The employee will most likely look for work elsewhere. |
| 81 | low | i remember that jordan was the marked target one time until the manager overdid it and lost his postion |
| 82 | low | The worker experienced feelings of being undermined, which led to distrust and resentment. |
| 83 | high | If the worker wanted to remain in this job he probably had to comply with the manager’s demand. Otherwise, it is obvious that the manager would ‘take it out’ on him from then on - making his life very uncomfortable. |
| 84 | high | I would imagine it would cause the worker to submit to the managers wishes and complete the report. It was a clear power tactic and the worker is not in a position to refuse to do what his manager asks unless he wants to be miserable at work. |
| 85 | low | The worker probably felt intimidated and resentful, which decreased their trust in the manager. As a result, they might be hesitant to collaborate or take on additional responsibilities in the future. |
| 86 | high | ok well it sounds like the worker felt pretty intimidated from the manager. they probably felt cornered and the need to comply with what the manager said. They probably felt rejected and fearful of retaliation. I doubt they would be very motivated after an incident like this. |
| 87 | high | I imagine the worker complied with the manager’s request, even thought it was unreasonable and down right threatening. The employee knew - because the manager made it evidently clear - that if they didn’t do what the manager was asking there would be negative consequences…not just with scheduling, most likely, but at all time in the future. The employee, if they wanted to keep their job, wasn’t really given a chance to say no. They were probably uncomfortable, upset, and disgruntled. |
| 88 | low | The worker likely began to let go of any loyalty or long-term views they held for the company and mentally began to separate. I don’t really know if there’s any coming back from something like that. They probably began thinking about sharpening up their resume and looking for at least a lateral move in the job market. The environment probably became extremely closed off, not just with the one worker and the manager, but in his engagement with others as well. This probably led to a somewhat adversarial and hostile workplace where everything probably began to be filtered through suspicion and distrust. |
| 89 | high | The worker who was targeted by the manager wouldn’t feel very well about the situation and most likely nothing would happen to the manager as a result. |
| 90 | low | The worker might have quit the job or reported the manager to higher ups, but either way I know I wouldn’t want to work with a manager like that. The worker could have also been upset but never showed it because they were scared they would get fired, without another job they could go to after that. |
| 91 | high | I would think that the worker responded by accepting the work because he did not want to have negative consequences or have to find a new job. If he were smart, he would just suck it up and work late because by refusing the manager’s request he would become the scapegoat or even worse. |
| 92 | low | maybe to worker valued his job enough to stay and finish the reports. i would hope that the manager was written up and disciplined for threatening the employee |
| 93 | high | Probably the worker had to stay and do what his manager asked him to do and probably the manager’s behavior got repeated |
| 94 | high | I think the worker accepted the task even though he initially refused because he feared consequences at work. This manager would likely throw this employee under the bus if needed. |
| 95 | low | I hope the manager was reported by the employee for harassment and intimidation and subsequently reprimanded or punished by the company. I imagine the worker was horrified by the interaction. |
| 96 | high | I believe the worker would likely do what they were asked but then either quit, report the behavior, or begin looking for another position. |
| 97 | high | The worker probably felt disrespected and demoralized due to the manager’s aggressive behavior, potentially resulting in resentment and decreased job satisfaction. |
| 98 | high | The worker probably felt frustrated and cornered, realizing that refusing the extra work could lead to retaliation. He might have begrudgingly done the report to avoid conflict, but with resentment building up. If he stood his ground, he might have faced a worse schedule or fewer opportunities in the future. |
| 100 | high | That kind of interaction leaves a mark. The worker was probably shocked at first, but then frustration or even anger set in. He stood his ground, making it clear that handling reports wasn’t his job. But the manager’s response subtly threatening his future schedule and time-off requests put him in a tough spot. if he caved and stayed late, he likley did so resentfully, knowing it wasn’t fair but fearing the consequences. if he refused, he probably walked away uneasy, wondering if his schedule would suddenly get worse. Either way, the trust between him and his manager took a serious hit. Word spreads fast in a workplace, so other employees may have heard about it and started watching their backs too. if the company had a decent HR department, this kind of behavior could raise concerns. But if management had a culture of intimidation, the worker might have just had to deal with it. one thing is for sure, he probably won’t be doing extra favors for the manager anytime soon |
| 101 | low | I hope the worker reported the manager to his superior because being threatened at work is incredibly inappropriate. I would have declined to stay as well and maybe even brought it up to HR. |
| 102 | high | The coworker only has the option to reject or accept the manager’s ploy, both could end up bad, and quitting is not an option, likely. He could reject and it could end up bad for him, however this could be fought, or he could accept and the manager will walk over him and stuff like this will keep happening, they will become part of his job duties. |
| 103 | low | In that moment, the manager lost all of that employee’s trust. The worker was most likely offended by what the manger said and was immediately considering quitting or reporting it to HR. |
| 104 | low | I think that the worker received unfavorable work schedules and did not get pto requests approved. I would think the worker was upset and in disbelief as this is not the type of behavior I would imagine would happen in the the workplace environment described previously. |
| 105 | low | I think I would feel shocked and attacked by the manager’s way of talking to me. I would go to human resources immediately. I would not feel good seeing this manager working there and I would feel like this is a hostile environment now. |
| 106 | low | If the worker did carry out the task given by the manager he would not have any issues but if he stood up for what he said prior to the manager making that particular statement, the manager might decide to punish him by not giving him the opportunity for promotion, bonus, and leaves. |
| 107 | high | The employee most likely harbored anger and mistrust of the manager, which could have resulted in low morale and disengagement from their role. |
| 108 | low | The worker would feel fustrated and even scared of the resopnse. |
| 109 | low | There will be less willingness to cooperate from the worker. The worker was threatened by the manager and now they will no longer do more than the minimums to get by. |
| 110 | low | The worker probably felt disrespected and demoralized due to the manager’s aggressive behavior, potentially resulting in resentment and decreased job satisfaction. |
| 111 | high | I feel the manager probably did not get into any trouble and he probably got away with it |
| 112 | high |
If this issue keeps arising and makes you or your coworkers feel threatened or uncomfortable, think about reporting it to HR or a higher authority within your company. Doing so can help address the toxic culture and potentially initiate positive change. Safeguard Your Mental Health: Dealing with management styles like these can be demanding. It’s important to practice self-care when you’re off the clock, whether that’s through hobbies, physical activity, or quality time with loved ones. |
| 113 | low | The managers action likely fostered a tens and uneasy atmosphere in the workplace. |
| 114 | high | Due to nature of this competitive work environment and everyone taking advantage of others. The worker would be upset but probably complete the assigned task as instructed. After they completed the task, they would report the manager’s behavior and comments to HR and possibly the manager’s supervisor because it’s inappropriate but also because it may improve the worker’s chance of career mobility. |
| 115 | low | WORKER LIKELY FELT DISRESPECTED AND FRUSTRATED, THAT LED TO LOSS OF TRUST IN THE MANAGER AND DECREASED MOTIVATION |
| 116 | low | I would be furious at the manager but I would keep my cool and I would make sure to not offend him further |
| 117 | high | I am assuming and hoping that the worker went to HR, but my guess is that absolutely nothing happened to the manager because we tend to live in a society where people don’t care about mis treatment. |
| 118 | high | In this type of work environment, I will put my effort into getting along with my colleagues in good working relationships so that we are able to help one another when problems arise. Meanwhile, I would still take note of the competition and make sure that I protect my interests in the face of organizational hostility. |
| 119 | low | In this instance the manager risks getting punched in the face. He is not an overseer, but a manager and can’t put undue restrictions on people. |
| 120 | high | As a reaction of the managers behavior, the employee probably chose to do less for the company than they were before. They likely started looking for another position that would be more fair. They probably did not report the behavior to HR or anyone else at the job since this seems to be normal behavior at this company. |
Manipulation check: Competitive Worldview
- This is a dog-eat-dog workplace where you have to be ruthless at
times
- In this workplace, there is really no such thing as “right and
wrong.” It all boils down to what you can get away with
- One of the most useful skills an employee in this workplace should
develop is how to look someone in the eye and lie convincingly
- In this workplace, it is better to be loved than to be feared
[R]
- In this workplace, you should do you unto others as you would have them do unto you [R]
Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89
Relationship impact
In your opinion, what was the impact of this incident on the employee’s relationship with this manager? (1 = It had a strong negative effect on their relationship with their manager to 7 = It had a strong positive effect on their relationship with their manager)
Compliance impact
In your opinion, to what extent did the employee comply with what the manager was seeking or requesting? (1 = They did not comply at all with what the manager was seeking to 7 = They completely complied with what the manager was seeking)
Own behavior: Likelihood
If you were the manager in this workplace, facing this situation, how likely would you be to act in the way the manager did, as described earlier? (1 = Not at All Likely to 5 = Extremely Likely)
Own behavior: Similarity
If you were the manager in this situation, to what extent could you imagine acting in a way that is similar to what the manager did? (1 = Not at All Similar to 5 = Extremely Similar)
Own behavior: Anchors
The prior Connect participant who described this episode summarized
the manager’s behavior this way:
Threatened to deny future requests by the worker
We also asked them what other approach the manager could have taken. The
participant wrote:
Apologized for the tone, offered an explanation, and pleaded with
the worker to reconsider
Between these two alternatives, which would you have been more likely to
enact? (0 = Apologized for the tone, offered an explanation, and
pleaded with the worker to reconsider; 10 = Threatened to deny
future requests by the worker)
Analysis
Manipulation check: CWV
| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| high | 60 | 4.836667 | 1.1298667 |
| low | 59 | 2.247458 | 0.9940089 |
t(115.59) = 13.28, p = 0, Lower CI = 2.2,
Upper CI = 2.98, d = 2.47.
Relationship impact
| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| high | 60 | 1.65000 | 1.1472148 |
| low | 59 | 1.40678 | 0.8533634 |
t(108.98) = 1.31, p = 0.192, Lower CI =
-0.12, Upper CI = 0.61, d = 0.25.
Compliance impact
| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| high | 60 | 2.983333 | 2.143114 |
| low | 59 | 2.355932 | 1.873248 |
t(115.42) = 1.7, p = 0.092, Lower CI = -0.1,
Upper CI = 1.36, d = 0.32.
Own behavior: Likelihood
| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| high | 60 | 1.483333 | 0.9111674 |
| low | 59 | 1.322034 | 0.8187602 |
t(116.07) = 1.02, p = 0.312, Lower CI =
-0.15, Upper CI = 0.48, d = 0.19.
Own behavior: Similarity
| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| high | 60 | 1.450000 | 0.7903014 |
| low | 59 | 1.338983 | 0.7568120 |
t(116.92) = 0.78, p = 0.435, Lower CI =
-0.17, Upper CI = 0.39, d = 0.14.
Own behavior: Achors
| cond | N | Mean | SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| high | 60 | 2.066667 | 2.556923 |
| low | 59 | 2.135593 | 2.200765 |
t(114.99) = -0.16, p = 0.875, Lower CI =
-0.93, Upper CI = 0.8, d = -0.03.
Mediation model 1: Relationship expectancies
a = 0.24 (p = 0.193)
b = 0.55 (p = 0)
direct = 0.16 (p = 0.312)
indirect = 0.03 (p = 0.829)
Mediation model 2: Compliance expectancies
a = 0.63 (p = 0.092)
b = 0.04 (p = 0.35)
direct = 0.16 (p = 0.312)
indirect = 0.14 (p = 0.393)