Final answer:
Interpersonal justice is the term that describes how individuals are treated with respect and dignity during procedural communications, such as layoffs, and is a key aspect of interactional justice in organizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term you are looking for is interpersonal justice, which is a dimension of interactional justice. Interpersonal justice involves the extent to which individuals are treated with politeness, dignity, and respect by authorities or third parties involved in executing procedures or determining outcomes. For example, when a decision about a layoff is made, ensuring that the affected individual is treated with respect and is given a dignified explanation is crucial in maintaining perceptions of fairness and can impact subsequent reactions, such as the acceptance of the decision or a reduction in negative responses such as workplace violence or theft.
In the context of Greenberg's 1993 research, we can see that the way in which students were treated during the experiment—whether they received extensive explanations or a curt, uninformative one—significantly affected their behavior. This experiment showcases the broader principle of procedural justice within organizations, emphasizing the importance of fair and respectful treatment in conflict resolution and policy implementation.