Professionalism and civility are frequently cited as essential components of effective workplace culture; however, definitions and behavioral expectations vary across disciplines and industries. This faculty-mentored foundational literature review examines how professionalism and civility are defined in contemporary workplace research and identifies the behaviors associated with those definitions. Drawing from peer-reviewed literature in organizational psychology, management, healthcare, and related fields, this project maps definitional trends and categorizes behaviors described as professional, civil, unprofessional, or uncivil. The objective of this review is to clearly define these concepts and identify the specific behaviors that represent professionalism and civility in modern organizations. Establishing definitional clarity provides a necessary foundation for future research examining broader organizational and safety implications. Such clarity is essential for evaluating whether breakdowns in professionalism and incivility function as contributors to recognized psychosocial hazards in occupational settings.
