What is passive insubordination?
Asked by: Aurelie Kuhlman | Last update: September 21, 2025Score: 5/5 (74 votes)
Passive insubordination occurs when an employee fails to carry out an order that a supervisor has given. It can also occur when an employee does not carry out an order that has not been given by a supervisor.
What qualifies as insubordination at work?
Insubordination includes using disrespectful language towards the manager, disobeying or refusing to do the supervisor's direct orders, humiliatingly challenging the manager's authority in public, sabotaging work or projects, and inciting rebellion or violence.
What is an example of insubordination?
However, here are some common examples of behaviors and actions that could be classified as insubordination: Refusing to follow a direct order from an authority figure. For example, an employee might refuse to complete a task assigned to them by their manager. Disobeying company policies or procedures.
Is yelling an insubordination?
Employers generally have the right to expect that employees will conduct themselves professionally and respectfully. Yelling at a boss can be seen as insubordination or misconduct, which can be valid reasons for dismissal.
What is indirect insubordination?
An example of indirect insubordination would be when an employee is clearly instructed to do something but ignores the instruction by deliberately omitting its execution.
How To Deal With Insubordination (with former CEO)
Is ignoring a manager insubordination?
Insubordination occurs when an individual purposefully disobeys an authority figure. In the workplace, examples of such figures may include supervisors , managers or business owners. The employee needs to have the intent to defy this person for it to constitute insubordination.
How do you deal with an employee who doesn't follow procedures?
- Step 1: Create clear and simple instructions. ...
- Step 2: Use consistent procedures. ...
- Step 3: Clarify the responsibility for each task. ...
- Step 4: Provide special training. ...
- Step 5: Periodically review existing processes.
Is shouting insubordination?
It is insubordination and a report should be written up. Yelling at someone in the work place shows a person is not in control of themselves and it should be dealt with immediately. However yelling also highlights an issue has made an individual extremely tense and unbalanced.
Can you be fired for insubordination without warning?
Generally, insubordination requires cumulative acts with prior reprimands or warnings. However, a single act without prior reprimands or warnings can be insubordinate if the act is substantially detrimental to the employer's interest.
How to professionally say someone is not doing their job?
- Find where expectations don't align.
- Schedule a one-on-one.
- Ask how they think they are performing first.
- Give specific examples.
- Connect their goals to the expectations.
- Share the why.
- Be clear about expectations.
- Make a plan together.
What is not insubordination?
An employee's refusal to do something that is illegal, unethical or a violation of company policy would not be considered insubordination.
Can you write up an employee for being disrespectful?
If an employee's disrespectful behavior is affecting other employees or customers, it's time to take action. Examples of such behavior may include bullying, harassment, discrimination, or verbal abuse. However, before taking action, ensure that you have all the facts and evidence required to justify the write-up.
Can you get fired for undermining your boss?
In some cases, undermining management can constitute insubordination, which may result in a disciplinary procedure being pursued. Employers must take complaints of undermining seriously and address them promptly.
How to prove insubordination?
There are three components in establishing whether an employee is insubordinate. The first is that the employee must be given an order or directive. The second is that the employee understands completely what is expected of him. The third is that the employee refuses to obey the order or doesn't perform the task.
What is the difference between disrespect and insubordination?
Insubordination applies only in an upward direction and can only be perpetrated by a junior towards a senior. Disrespect, on the other hand, can apply upwards and downwards. For example, it would be disrespectful for a manager to shout at an employee and tell him/her to “get out of the office”.
Is eye rolling insubordination?
Examples of Insubordination
Refusing to complete a task. Disregarding basic instructions, safety practices, or other company procedures. Mocking and disrespecting workplace authority verbally or through body language (foul language, snide remarks, eye-rolling, crude gestures, or slander).
Can you sue for insubordination?
In extreme circumstances, the charge of insubordination can violate your rights in the workplace under state or federal employment law. This can give you grounds to file a lawsuit.
What is an example of unfair termination?
Examples of wrongful termination
Your termination could be wrongful if your employer fired you: Due to discrimination. In violation of a federal or state labor law. Because you reported and refused to participate in harassment.
Is talking back to your boss insubordination?
When faced with a matter of an employee challenging a statement made by an employer or that employee's line manager, there are three classifications that this behaviour could fall under: Insolence, Insubordination, and. Gross Insubordination.
What to say to an employee who is disrespectful to his boss?
Give clear feedback. Tell your employee exactly what behavior is inappropriate and what they need to change. Document incidents. Keep a record of disrespectful or inappropriate incidents and how it was handled.
Can HR fire you without manager approval?
HR gets its power from the top. They are endowed by the company president (or whoever is in charge.) So, if HR can fire employees against the will of the employees' managers, that power comes from the president or CEO, and that can be revoked. In other words, HR only has the final say when the CEO grants it.
Is walking away from your manager insubordination?
Insubordination is when an employee refuses to follow a lawful and reasonable instruction from their employer or displays defiant or disrespectful behaviour. Examples include refusing assigned tasks, ignoring management directives, or using inappropriate language towards a superior.
What is serious insubordination?
Serious insubordination in the workplace is a string of poor behaviour an employee commits. It typically occurs when an employee refuses to follow instructions set by their employer. Or, by another senior staff member - such as their line manager.
Can an employer write you up without your knowledge?
A write-up is usually warranted only after an employee has been made aware of the issue via a verbal warning and fails to change their behavior accordingly. Employee write-ups may also be issued without prior warning in response to serious issues such as unsafe behavior or workplace harassment.
How do you deal with an employee who undermines you?
- Address things promptly and direct and don't be afraid to have these difficult conversations.
- Monitor the behavior and take action if things don't improve.
- Ask for help.