Archive · 26 Jul 2026
IIM Indore Study Links Illegitimate Tasks to Workplace Incivility
A study by IIM Indore found that when employees are given tasks they think are unfair or not part of their job, they often get frustrated and act rudely to their colleagues.
This happens because they feel the tasks are unreasonable and don't feel guilty about being impolite.
Interestingly, even when managers are supportive, employees still react negatively to these unfair tasks.
The study suggests that companies should clearly define jobs and explain why extra tasks are needed to make employees feel valued and reduce bad behavior at work.
IIM Indore study links illegitimate tasks to workplace incivility.
Employees vent frustration on colleagues rather than supervisors.
Moral disengagement justifies uncivil behavior among employees.
Supportive supervisors can increase negative reactions to illegitimate tasks.
Organizations should define job roles clearly and communicate task necessity.
- Who
- Prof Varun Sharma and Prof Jatin Pandey, researchers at IIM Indore
- What
- A study on the impact of illegitimate tasks on workplace incivility
- When
- Published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology
- Where
- Conducted with employees in the US
- Why
- To understand how illegitimate tasks affect workplace relationships and behavior
Employees' Perspective
Management's Perspective
Perception of Task Legitimacy
Employees' Perspective
Employees view illegitimate tasks as unreasonable and outside their job responsibilities, leading to frustration and incivility.
Management's Perspective
Management may see these tasks as necessary for operational efficiency or team collaboration.
Impact of Supervisor Support
Employees' Perspective
Employees with supportive supervisors feel betrayed when assigned illegitimate tasks, increasing negative reactions.
Management's Perspective
Management may believe that supportive supervisors help employees cope with workplace stress, regardless of task legitimacy.
- Researchers
- Prof Varun Sharma, Prof Jatin Pandey
- Journal
- Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology
- Study Participants
- 222 hospitality employees and 244 employees across multiple industries in the US
- Key Finding
- Illegitimate tasks increase workplace incivility through moral disengagement
- Recommended Solution
- Clear job definitions, alignment of work with roles, and supervisor communication