Good and bad behavior affect ecology workplace

Richard B. Primack

 “Be not simply good – be good for something.” Henry David Thoreau in his correspondence.

 
A new study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, surveyed ecologists concerning their workplace experiences.

While the majority of respondents (78%) reported having some positive workplace experiences (e.g., receiving mentorship), approximately one third of all respondents experienced bullying (36%), devaluation of their work (35%), or insulting remarks (29%).
 

Mentorship should be encouraged in the workplace.

People who experience such a hostile workplace are more likely to consider leaving their institution and to consider a career change. And people from historically excluded groups disproportionately experience such hostile behaviors.
 

Hostile workplaces behaviors, such as bullying, should be discouraged.

The authors provide recommendations for academic institutions and other employers of ecologists to address interpersonal mistreatment through culture and policy changes.  These include leaders promoting respectful and supportive behaviors, classifying hostile behavior as academic misconduct, and developing tools that discourage and prevent hostile behaviors, including delaying promotions and sabbatical leave, withholding merit raises, and preventing offenders from accepting new research students.

Citation R. B. Primack, Tara K. Miller, Carina Terry, Erika Marin-Spiotta, Pamela H. Templer, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Emily J. Diaz Vallejo, Meredith G. Hastings, Vicki J. Magley, Allison Mattheis, Blair B. Schneider, and Rebecca T. Barnes. 2023. Historically excluded groups in ecology are undervalued and poorly treated. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2613.