What is insubordination?

Insubordination is the act of an employee's intentional refusal to obey an employer's lawful and reasonable orders. The exact definition is a defiance of authority or the refusal to obey orders. In the workplace, this refers to any employee denying or refusing to complete any reasonable legal orders given by their superiors.

Insubordination can cause serious issues in the workplace. It affects the specific task being refused and represents a lack of respect for the supervisor. It also hinders their ability to manage. Often, this calls for disciplinary actions.