We found this article on Inc.com
Stress and Long Hours Prompt Employees to Lie, Cheat, and Steal
A new survey finds a connection between work-life balance and workplace ethics.
By: Angus Loten
A combination of stress, long hours, and an inflexible schedule is the main driver of bad behavior in the workplace, according to a new survey.Among more than 1,000 employees polled nationwide in February by Harris Interactive for Deloitte & Touche, the vast majority cited work-life balance as having a bigger impact on fostering good behavior than enforcing harsh workplace rules and penalties, the survey found.
As many as 91 percent of respondents said employees with a healthy work-life balance were more likely to act ethically on the job, while just 10 percent ranked strict penalties for code of conduct violations as a key element in fostering good behavior.
Conflicts between work responsibilities and personal life were largely seen as causing stress and job dissatisfaction, which in turn led to poor decisions and bad behavior — whether it’s stealing office supplies, lying to co-corkers and managers, or passing along company secrets, the survey found.
“If someone invests all of their time and energy into their jobs, it may have the unintended consequence of making them dependent on their jobs for everything — including their sense of personal worth,” Sharon Allen, chairman of the board of Deloitte & Touche USA said in a statement.
Flexible schedules were cited by more than half of the respondents as a key factor in job satisfaction.
Still, beyond a work-life balance issues, upper management has an important role to play, the survey found. As many as 78 percent of respondents said managers and supervisors were the top two influences on the overall ethical culture of the workplace.
Allen said it was important for managers and supervisors to live the values they preach, rather than simply enforcing strict rules and penalties, in order to maintain a “culture of ethics” in the office.
“Corporate leaders have a duty to build and foster a values-based culture that thrives on high ethical standards and makes corporate and social responsibility a top priority,” she said.
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Corra found a lot of truth in this article. Employees are often working well beyond what is either healthy or comfortable for a well balanced lifestyle. Small wonder, as this article attests, that to compensate for being overworked, employees turn to bad behavior.
But then there are some employees that do not need to be stressed or overworked, before they resort to bad behavior. some are already used to lying, cheating, and stealing long before they enter your work force. The last thing you need is to recruit this kind of person, especially for jobs of a sensitive nature.
If your candidates have access to sensitive proprietary data, you should most definitely run a credit report as well as a criminal report as part of your employment screening process. It is often wise to order an education verification search, and perhaps a motor vehicle report to make sure any bads habits are not manifested behind the wheel of a car or truck. Especially if it is your car or truck, or when they are driving for you in any capacity.
So be wise and make sure you don’t import to your work place what can be costly to in theft, retraining and issues arising from substance abuse or criminal behavior. As Corra say, check them out before you hire.
