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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 M A R C H 2 4 , 2 0 2 5 other alternatives. Most of the staff of 300-plus employees will be rede- ployed to other Northern Light hospi- tals and sites. The Maine Downtown Center, a program of Maine Development Foundation in Hallowell, announced that Van Buren and Waterville joined its affiliate program. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees presented a total of $22,000 in dona- tions collected through the bank's employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to 10 organizations serving communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Maine Community Foundation in Ellsworth awarded 47 grants total- ing $271,987 to nonprofit organiza- tions serving the Greater Portland area through the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund and the Rines Thompson Fund. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y J o h n M . O ' B r i e n The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "success through collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: What management practices will maximize respect and minimize rudeness at work? ACE advises: Poorly managed stress in workplaces cre- ates behavior that is rude and disrespectful. This incivility affects the target, any witnesses and eventually the culprit. This rudeness then feeds on itself and contributes to work- place stress, leading to burnout, decreased productivity and high turnover rates. Researchers Christine Porath and Christine Pearson defined workplace incivility as "the exchange of seemingly inconse- quential, inconsiderate words and deeds that violate con- ventional norms of workplace conduct" in a groundbreaking Harvard Business Review article in 2013. In a follow-up article in 2022, Porath reported that 76% of workers had witnessed incivility in their workplace at least once in the last month. Constant exposure to incivility can trigger the body's stress response, leading to increased cortisol levels, fatigue and even long-term health consequences. Employees' stress levels skyrocket even when the behavior is unintentional. In the workplace it leaves employees feeling demotivated and disconnected, lowering productivity. This results in diminished profitability for a business, and possibly its demise. Leaders can promote greater civility in the workplace with: Self-awareness: Creating a more civil workplace starts at the top. Make efforts to understand what behaviors you exhibit (especially under stress) that may be experienced as rude or inconsiderate. Expectations: Identify appropriate workplace behavior, applicable to everyone, regardless of position. When explaining rules such as "no smartphones during meet- ings" or being on time, talk about how these expectations show respect for others. Training: Teach employees polite communication skills, such as active listening, clarity, brevity and empathy. Enforcement: Implement clear consequences for those who do not follow the guidelines of respectful behavior. Workers are more creative and productive when they are free of unpleasant interpersonal encounters. They communicate better, navigate conflicts more skillfully and function more effectively in teams. This results in a hap- pier workplace for all. ACE member John M. O'Brien is a professional speaker, execu- tive coach and author of "Rudeness Rehab: Reclaiming Civility in the Workplace and Your Home Space." He can be reached at: john@activatesuccess.org N O T E W O R T H Y M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T M I D C O A S T & D O W N E A S T Fisher Phillips Welcomes Georey Forney, Carolyn Liegner and Bill Wahrer to its growing Portland Oce With over 675 attorneys in 43 offices across the United States and Mexico, Fisher Phillips is an international labor and employment firm providing practical business solutions for employers' workplace legal problems. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of law the attorneys know best. Fisher Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. Georey Forney Partner | Portland gforney@fisherphillips.com Carolyn Liegner Associate | Portland cliegner@fisherphillips.com Bill Wahrer Associate | Portland bwahrer@fisherphillips.com 254 Commercial Street, Suite 245 | Por tland, ME 04101 | 207.477.7007 fisherphillips.com

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