Which three areas do you believe to be most prevalent, or which three areas have the greatest consequence in the workplace? Justify your answers. Chose from these.... Using e-mail to harass co-workers.
Using company services (including the Internet) for personal use.
Padding an expense account.
Calling in sick to take a day off.
Authorizing a subordinate to violate company rules.
Pilfering company materials and supplies.
Accepting gifts/favors in exchange for preferential treatment.
Giving gifts/favors in exchange for preferential treatment.
Taking longer than necessary to do a job.
Divulging confidential information.
Doing personal business on company time.
Concealing mistakes.
Passing blame for errors to an innocent co-worker.
Claiming credit for someone else’s work.
Falsifying time/quality/quantity reports.
Taking extra personal time (late arrivals, longer lunch hours and breaks, early departures).
Not reporting others’ violations of company policies and rules.
Copying copyrighted computer software.
Hiring a key employee from a competitor.
Dating someone who works for you.
Abusive or intimidating behavior toward other employees.
I say the 1st 3 but I want opinions please and reasons for them too. thank you.
Wouldn't it depend on the type of business? lying, cheating, stealing are always high on my list. That includes falsifying reports, cheating on hours worked, including use of sick leave. But frankly, the biggest concern depends on the business. If you were a bank you might have different concerns that if you were selling hot dogs.
One wants to set up a business management system to prevent and monitor the biggest concerns, and then use lessor management techniques to handle the lesser offenses. Take dating for instance. Yes, it is messy, but it can be handled, but favoritism or nepotism is much greater concern, or even worse, office blackmail. Lying, cheating, stealing are high on my list.
Others will have their pet hates.
The three areas that I believe to be most prevalent and have the greatest consequence in the workplace are abusive or intimidating behavior toward other employees, divulging confidential information, and not reporting others' violations of company policies and rules.
1. Abusive or intimidating behavior toward other employees: This type of behavior creates a hostile work environment and can have severe consequences on employee morale and well-being. It can lead to decreased productivity, increased turnover rates, and potential legal issues for the company. To address this issue, organizations should have clear policies in place, provide training on the importance of respectful workplace behavior, and encourage employees to report incidents of abuse or intimidation.
To combat this issue, organizations need to:
- Establish a zero-tolerance policy against abusive behavior and harassment.
- Foster a culture of respect and inclusivity through regular training sessions and workshops.
- Encourage employees to report any incidents of abuse or intimidation to their supervisors or the HR department.
- Take appropriate action when incidents are reported, including conducting thorough investigations and implementing necessary measures to prevent further occurrences.
2. Divulging confidential information: Protecting confidential information is crucial for maintaining trust with clients, customers, and business partners. When employees improperly share sensitive information, it can result in reputational damage, loss of business opportunities, and legal consequences. Organizations need to ensure that employees understand the importance of confidentiality and have measures in place to safeguard sensitive data.
To address this issue, organizations need to:
- Clearly define what constitutes confidential information and educate employees about its importance.
- Implement secure systems and protocols for handling and storing confidential data.
- Restrict access to confidential information on a need-to-know basis.
- Regularly review and update security measures to adapt to changing threats and technologies.
- Enforce consequences, such as disciplinary actions, for employees who breach confidentiality.
3. Not reporting others' violations of company policies and rules: When employees fail to report violations of company policies and rules, it can undermine the integrity of the organization and create a culture where unethical behavior goes unchecked. This can lead to decreased productivity, dysfunctional teams, and potentially legal issues. Organizations should encourage and incentivize employees to report any breaches of company policies to ensure a fair and compliant work environment.
To address this issue, organizations need to:
- Clearly communicate the importance of reporting violations and the procedures for doing so.
- Establish confidential reporting channels (whistleblower hotlines, anonymous reporting systems) to encourage employees to come forward without fear of retaliation.
- Provide training to employees on their responsibilities to report violations and the potential consequences of failing to do so.
- Conduct thorough investigations into reported violations and take appropriate action to address them.
- Recognize and reward employees who demonstrate ethical behavior and actively report violations.
In summary, these three areas - abusive behavior, divulging confidential information, and not reporting violations - can have detrimental effects on the workplace and the organization as a whole. By addressing these issues through clear policies, regular training, and appropriate consequences, organizations can foster a positive work environment and uphold ethical standards.