NEW YORK, N.Y. – Nearly a third (31 percent) of U.S. workers have witnessed co-workers engage in ethical misconduct, according to a Hudson survey on workplace ethics. However, only half (52 percent) of those witnessing unethical or illegal acts reported it to anyone in authority. Despite these figures, nearly eight in ten U.S. workers (78 percent) state that their companies clearly communicate what they consider unethical and ethical behavior in the workplace.
| WHAT DO YOU THINK? |
Maintaining and honest, ethical workplace is essential to business success, not only to make sure employees are trusting of each other and their managers, but also to avoid perceptions of impropriety among clients. If coworkers witness unethical behavior on the job, as a third of respondents to a recent Hudson survey report, there's also the possibility that customers have made similar observations. In light of this new survey, outlined at left, how would you describe your company's approach to communicating ethics in the workplace? Share your thoughts and bounce ideas off green industry colleagues on the Lawn & Landscape Online Message Board. Here are some topics to get the conversation started: |
When it comes to their own day-to-day jobs, half (53 percent) say they rarely or never encounter ethical gray areas, although 14 percent of workers do at least once a month and 28 percent do occasionally. When workers have witnessed colleagues engaging in unethical behavior, they are more likely to experience gray areas themselves (25 percent say that occurs at least once a month). Witnesses also give lower ratings to their companies for communicating ethical standards.
On the positive side, three in four workers (74 percent) express confidence in their leadership, indicating that senior leaders of their company generally behave with honesty and integrity. However, among those who have witnessed their colleagues' transgressions, the percentage of those believing that their leaders are honest drops to 61 percent.
"Workplace ethics is not an abstract concept, but a critical part of a healthy company," said David Rhind, general counsel North America, Hudson Highland Group. "Even with clear ethics policies in place, companies must create a culture of integrity throughout the organization by providing both the means and the mandate to report concerns. When senior executives lead by example, employees are more likely to follow suit."
Other key findings include:
- Government workers are more likely than their entrepreneurial and private enterprise counterparts to report that they have seen coworkers engage in unethical or illegal behavior (38 percent compared to 29 percent and 31 percent, respectively).
- On average, those making less than $40,000 annually are less likely to feel their company's leadership behaves with honesty and integrity – 65 percent compared to 74 percent nationally.
- Men under the age of 40 and African-American workers have witnessed significantly more ethical misconduct by co-workers (42 percent and 36 percent respectively).
- Only a quarter (26 percent) of workers over age 50 have witnessed unethical behavior, and nearly eight in ten (77 percent) believe that their leaders behave with honesty and integrity.
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The Hudson Ethics in the Workplace Survey is based on a national poll of 2,099 U.S. workers and was compiled by Rasmussen Reports, an independent research firm. A more detailed data report is available at www.hudson-index.com.