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Local government CEOs experience workplace rudeness that has detrimental effects on their psychological and physical health, according to a new study by researchers from The University of Western Australia.

But CEOs who self-regulate their emotional responses to discourteous behavior tend to experience fewer instances of incivility and have better mental and physical well-being, the researchers found.

Dr. Joseph Carpini and Associate Professor Alex Luksyte, from UWA's Business School, and Associate Professor Lies Notebaert, from UWA's School of Psychological Science, co-authored the study in Applied Psychology.

"Local government CEOs are expected to lead effectively under pressure; however, we found many regularly experienced what they called 'professional incivility'—constant low-level disrespect, social undermining and rudeness," Dr. Carpini said.

"It occurred during formal council meetings, informal conversations, email and social media and was sometimes masked as normal workplace behavior, like sending a huge number of emails and queries."

The study found incivility came from within local government, including from council members and staff, as well as from those outside the organization, such as members of the public, the media, industry and business, and other stakeholders.

"The behavior was detrimental for their psychological and physical well-being, and these are people who are charged with the overall welfare of our local communities," Associate Professor Notebaert said.

The findings showed those who engaged in emotional self-regulation strategies—like faking polite responses to otherwise rude behavior—reported fewer instances of incivility and better well-being.

"The CEOs who opted to 'go with the flow' and simply placate others in the workplace by suppressing their true emotions managed challenging relationships effectively," Associate Professor Luksyte said.

"Additionally, those who had lower levels of job-related negative affect, such as feelings of anger and frustration, also report experiencing less incivility."

The results of the study can help councils and governments better support their CEOs by encouraging norms of civility in local government as well as providing malleable coping strategies.

"It is time to re-evaluate the 'rough and tumble' norm that is local government politics if we want a truly prosperous country," Dr. Carpini said.