When it comes to running a business, honesty is the best policy. Unfortunately, workplace dishonesty is a common problem that can have a significant impact on the success of your business. According to a recent survey, 60 percent of people admitted to lying at least once during a 10-minute conversation with a stranger.
Dishonesty in the workplace can take many forms, from lying on resumes and job applications, to taking sick days when healthy, to taking credit for other employees’ work. While it may seem like a minor issue, workplace dishonesty can have serious consequences for any business.
When dishonest behaviour goes unchecked, it can lead to lost revenue, a drop in productivity and lower morale. Dishonest employees may feel inclined to steal from the company, or add more overtime to their hours, which can add to their income and put a strain on the company’s finances. Dishonesty can also cause honest employees to either leave the company or begin to adopt unethical norms for themselves.
The best way to combat workplace dishonesty is to take the time to understand the causes and develop policies to address them. Weak enforcement of company policies can encourage dishonest behaviour, so it’s important to have a clear policy outlining what constitutes dishonesty and the consequences for it.
It’s also important to create a work environment that encourages honest behaviour and rewards it. Employees need to feel that your company offers sufficient career development opportunities and that they will be rewarded for hard work and honesty. Finally, it’s important to implement accountability systems, such as constant checks on accounting entries, to ensure that employees are held accountable for their actions.
Dishonesty in the workplace can have serious consequences, but with the right policies and procedures in place, it can be prevented. If you need assistance with developing workplace policies and procedures, get in touch with Uphando HR Services.