There is meaningful evidence that professional courtesy (and related concepts like respectful, engaged work-culture behaviors) are on the decline in 2025 and heading into 2026. Below is why it appears to be happening, what data support it, and how this applies in practice (which may be relevant to your work as a consultant and trainer).
Data & Signals That Courtesy/Respect Are Declining
Here are some of the supporting findings:
- According to Gallup, in the U.S. the percentage of employees who strongly agree they are treated with respect at work stood at 37% in early 2025, the same record-low that was reached during the major workforce upheavals of 2022. Gallup.com
- That implies a large majority of employees do not feel they’re treated with basic respect.
- A commentary piece noted that workplace etiquette is visibly slipping: for example more people being unclear on how to respond to work-related inquiries, more casual disregards of norms of professional behaviour. LinkedIn+2Edstellar+2
- A broader piece on “common courtesy” in society (though not exclusively workplaces) argued that the decline of basic manners is driven by digital communication, busyness, individualism, and less in-person interaction. John Berkovich Talks
- Workplace analyses of 2025 trends point to disengagement, “quiet cracking” (slow erosion of morale / engagement) and cultural disruption—factors that often show up in decreased interpersonal civility and courtesy. Happily+1
Why This Decline Is Happening
Several converging forces appear to be contributing:
- Remote/Hybrid Work & Less In-Person Interaction
- Without the natural cues of in-office contact, informal interactions, non-verbal signals and spontaneous social moments decline. This can reduce opportunities for small courteous gestures and peer-to-peer respect to build.
- The reduction of casual socializing means norms of courtesy may erode.
- Workforce Disengagement / “The Great Detachment”
- Employees feel less connected to their organization, less valued, and less clear about expectations. Gallup’s research points to this. Gallup.com+1
- When people are disengaged, the emotional bandwidth to extend professional courtesy is reduced.
- Increased Pressure, Change & Uncertainty
- Economic concerns, layoffs, restructuring, rapid adoption of technologies (e.g., AI) all add stress to workplaces. Under stress, courtesy can be among the first casualties.
- One article described “quiet cracking”, the silent erosion of morale that precedes more obvious dysfunction. Best Conflict Solutions
- Generational / Cultural Shifts
- Some sources argue that younger workers, new work-modes, and less rigid hierarchical culture are shifting norms of what constitutes “professional courtesy.” One piece: “Remote work and generational shifts have led to a decline in professionalism.” Workplace Intelligence Newsletter
- At the same time, workplaces may have assumed that good manners are intuitive, and less explicit training is being given. For example, etiquette training is becoming more commonplace again. HRMorning
🔍 What This Means in Practice
For your work, especially as someone involved in training, consulting and helping organizations with culture, outreach, and networking, this decline matters. Some implications:
- Client / Prospect Interactions: If your clients’ teams are experiencing reduced courtesy (slow responses, unclear communication, fewer follow-throughs), it may impact referral behavior, word-of-mouth, repeat business. This ties directly into your interest in client referrals.
- Training Opportunities: There’s a clear need for modules on “professional courtesy” or “modern work etiquette”, especially in hybrid/remote contexts and across generations.
- Culture Change: When organizations commit to improving employee experience, respect and courtesy should be emphasized as foundational rather than “nice to have.”
- Sales & Networking: If professional courtesy is less consistent in many workplaces, then demonstrating high reliability, responsiveness and professional manners could become a competitive differentiator for you (and for your clients).
- Measurement & Metrics: Since respect and courtesy have measurable impact (e.g., on engagement, retention, referral likelihood), this trend provides a business case for clients to invest in them.
My Take / What to Watch
- The decline is not inevitable. Organizations that intentionally model and reinforce courteous behavior can buck the trend.
- Because so many workplace trends (disengagement, remote work, generational change) are converging in 2025-26, one might view professional courtesy as a leading indicator of broader culture health.
- For 2026, unless organizations act intentionally, the risk is that courtesy (and related behaviors) will continue to decline. But this also creates an opportunity — those who do well may stand out significantly.
- One practical approach: embed “courtesy metrics” or behaviors into your training/webinar programs — e.g., response times, acknowledgement of others, respectful disagreement, clarity of communication.
Proper professional courtesy refers to the behaviors, actions, and communication standards that reflect respect, integrity, and professionalism in any work or business environment. It’s about how you treat others and how you represent yourself and your organization.
Here’s a clear, practical breakdown:
Core Elements of Professional Courtesy
- Respect for People’s Time
- Respond to messages, emails, and calls promptly (even if only to acknowledge and follow up later).
- Show up on time for meetings or let people know as early as possible if you’ll be late.
- Be concise and prepared when interacting.
- Clear and Professional Communication
- Speak and write in a polite, respectful tone.
- Avoid gossip, negativity, or talking poorly about others.
- Proofread emails and messages before sending.
- Listen actively and do not interrupt.
- Honesty and Integrity
- Follow through on promises.
- Give credit where it’s due.
- Be transparent about mistakes and correct them quickly.
- Gratitude and Acknowledgment
- Thank people for their time, help, or contributions.
- Acknowledge others’ achievements publicly when appropriate.
- Respect for Boundaries
- Honor quiet hours, time zones, and personal downtime.
- Keep discussions professional and avoid overly personal or inappropriate topics
- Collaboration and Support
- Be willing to help and share information.
- Avoid creating unnecessary obstacles for others.
- Speak highly of your team, organization, and partners.
- Professional Appearance & Behavior
- Dress appropriately for the environment (in person or on video).
- Maintain a positive and respectful demeanor.
Examples of Professional Courtesy in Action
- “I read your message—you’ll have a full response by the end of the day.”
- Arriving 5 minutes early for a meeting.
- Sending a thank-you email after a meeting or introduction.
- Keeping commitments or rescheduling responsibly when needed.
- Complimenting coworkers or partners when they do great work.
Why Professional Courtesy Matters
- Builds trust and credibility
- Strengthens relationships
- Reduces conflict and misunderstanding
- Enhances your professional reputation
- Opens doors to new opportunities