Employees at companies undergoing layoffs or return-to-office (RTO) mandates reported committing more acts of incivility (67% and 63%, respectively) than those at companies not undergoing such changes, according to the SHRM Q1 2025 Civility Index. For HR leaders, this poses a serious challenge: How can they navigate necessary workforce changes while maintaining a respectful and engaged culture? One possible answer lies in creating opportunities for employees to build friendships in the office and discover their place in life beyond work, fostering shared connections and perspectives that can positively influence the workplace.