You’re pretty sure that guy Brandon in Purchasing is using the company computer to play the stock market. You’re also pretty sure that’s an ethical violation. Should you report it? What happens if you don’t?
Here’s Five Fast Facts About Ethical Violations in the Workplace:
- 👀 A Violation? - Ethical violations could be something as simple as taking credit for someone else’s work, using internal information to make a profit, or even leaving work early. Ethical violations are usually spelled out in your company handbook.
- 📚 How Much? - They are more common than you might think. In fact, 49% of employees say they’ve witnessed misconduct that violated their company’s ethical standards. Around 86% of workers who witness misconduct report it. Getting in trouble for reporting misconduct is almost as high, with 79% reported having experienced some kind of retaliation. Yikes.
- ✋ Wait - If you plan on reporting misconduct, take a breath. Leadership may not feel the same way. For example, an employee leaving work early every day is technically misconduct. But management may think differently if that employee gets their work done ahead of schedule.
- 🤔 Worth It? - Another thing to consider: who is at risk due to these violations? If the risk for damage to your company is considerable, it might be wise to say something.
- 😮 Talk It Out - Instead of reporting it, sometimes it helps discussing the violation directly with the person in a non-confrontational manner. Ask questions and try to understand the situation. It may lead to them changing their behavior.
🔥Bottom line: Misconduct is a thorny road. It’s important to weigh the impact and outcome because it may cause more harm to you than your company.
How do you handle these kinds of problems at work?
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