Sir, – According to new research, which was recently released by the Institute of Business Ethics, it now seems that one in seven Irish workers have felt pressure to act unethically in the workplace (“Men more likely than women to speak up over ethical concerns in workplace, survey finds”, Business, October 15th).
It appears that this cohort of workers that choose to act unethically do it because they feel that they have to follow the boss’s orders or because of unrealistic deadlines. Another reason given for such improper behaviour within the work milieu was due to financial pressures at their company where there was this feeling that everyone else within the company was saying: “We are doing it this way, so you have to do it as well.”
I believe it’s a real challenge today in organisations where this unethical conduct can be the pervading attitude among a certain group of workers. I believe that the findings emanating from this new research would suggest to me that it is important for all of us to first look at ourselves as a society, because at times we can, to some degree, be a nation of rule breakers. It’s as if there’s this propensity for all of us to at least break the odd rule.
However, there is this fine line between something that is maybe an ethical breach versus something that’s perceived as being just a little bit clever or a little bit inventive. If that’s the kind of cultural way one’s organisation is leaning, then this can result in it becoming an easier way for people to start being slightly unethical. The report goes on to say that men seem to be feeling the pressure more than women regarding unethical conduct. Interestingly this study also found that women are most prone to feeling peer pressure in the workplace and this can result in unethical behaviour too.
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All companies must work toward providing a safe workplace for their employees, allied to treating them with a sense of dignity and equality while respecting at least a minimum of their privacy. I believe these organisations should have regular conferences on the company’s moral guidelines and values. This in turn will assist in guiding the behaviour of their employees regarding what is expected of them. – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’BRIEN,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.