Effectiveness of the CREW Program in Improving Social Climate in the Work Environment and Preventing Workplace Mistreatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47152/ziksi2026015Keywords:
CREW program, intervention, social climate, workplace mistreatment, work environmentAbstract
Social climate is an important factor that shapes interpersonal relationships within an organization. Its deterioration is associated with an increased risk of workplace mistreatment, such as incivility, interpersonal conflicts, and workplace bullying. In this context, special attention should be given to interventions aimed at improving social climate and preventing workplace mistreatment, among which the CREW program (Civility, Respect, and Engagement in the Workplace) stands out. The aim of this paper is to analyze and synthesize empirical studies on the effectiveness of the CREW program in improving social climate in the work environment and preventing workplace mistreatment. A narrative literature review was conducted by searching academic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar), and nine studies published between 2005 and 2025 were included in the analysis. The findings of the analyzed studies indicate that the CREW program shows the most consistent positive effects in the domains of improving social climate, increasing civility, enhancing interpersonal relationships, reducing stress and incivility, and increasing work engagement and job satisfaction. However, the effects of the program on the prevention of more severe forms of workplace mistreatment, such as workplace bullying, have been less explored, while the sustainability of effects may depend on the context and mode of program implementation. The CREW program can be viewed as a promising approach to improving social climate and the quality of interpersonal relationships in the work environment. Nevertheless, additional longitudinal and methodologically rigorous studies in different organizational contexts are needed to draw stronger conclusions about its effectiveness, long-term sustainability, and potential impact on the prevention of more severe forms of workplace mistreatment.
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