One in Three Workers Witness Ethical Misconduct Despite Clearly Communicated Guidelines
October 19 2005 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Hudson Survey Highlights Gap Between Policies and Reality NEW YORK,
Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nearly a third (31 percent) of
U.S. workers have witnessed co-workers engage in ethical
misconduct, according to a Hudson survey on workplace ethics.
However, only half (52 percent) of those witnessing unethical or
illegal acts reported it to anyone in authority. Despite these
figures, nearly eight in ten U.S. workers (78 percent) state that
their companies clearly communicate what they consider unethical
and ethical behavior in the workplace. When it comes to their own
day-to-day jobs, half (53 percent) say they rarely or never
encounter ethical gray areas, although 14 percent of workers do at
least once a month and 28 percent do occasionally. When workers
have witnessed colleagues engaging in unethical behavior, they are
more likely to experience gray areas themselves (25 percent say
that occurs at least once a month). Witnesses also give lower
ratings to their companies for communicating ethical standards. On
the positive side, three in four workers (74 percent) express
confidence in their leadership, indicating that senior leaders of
their company generally behave with honesty and integrity. However,
among those who have witnessed their colleagues' transgressions,
the percentage of those believing that their leaders are honest
drops to 61 percent. "Workplace ethics is not an abstract concept,
but a critical part of a healthy company," said David Rhind,
general counsel North America, Hudson Highland Group. "Even with
clear ethics policies in place, companies must create a culture of
integrity throughout the organization by providing both the means
and the mandate to report concerns. When senior executives lead by
example, employees are more likely to follow suit." Other key
findings include: * Government workers are more likely than their
entrepreneurial and private enterprise counterparts to report that
they have seen coworkers engage in unethical or illegal behavior
(38 percent compared to 29 percent and 31 percent, respectively). *
On average, those making less than $40,000 annually are less likely
to feel their company's leadership behaves with honesty and
integrity -- 65 percent compared to 74 percent nationally. * Men
under the age of 40 and African-American workers have witnessed
significantly more ethical misconduct by co-workers (42 percent and
36 percent respectively). * Only a quarter (26 percent) workers
over age 50 have witnessed unethical behavior, and nearly eight in
ten (77 percent) believe that their leaders behave with honesty and
integrity. All Workers Workers who have Workers who have witnessed
illegal NOT witnessed or unethical illegal or behavior unethical
behavior Company clearly communicates what is ethical or unethical
behavior 78% 68% 85% Company does NOT clearly communicate what is
ethical or unethical behavior 15% 27% 10% Senior managers act with
honesty and integrity 74% 61% 82% Encounter ethical gray areas at
least once a month 14% 25% 10% The Hudson ethics in the workplace
survey is based on a national poll of 2,099 U.S. workers and was
compiled by Rasmussen Reports, LLC, an independent research firm
(RasmussenReports.com). A more detailed data report is available at
http://www.hudson-index.com/. Hudson, one of the world's leading
professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solution
providers, also publishes the Hudson Employment Index(SM), a
monthly measure of the U.S. workforce's confidence in the
employment market. Next month's Hudson Employment Index(SM) will be
released on November 2, 2005. Hudson Hudson delivers specialized
professional staffing, outsourcing, and human capital solutions
worldwide. From single placements to total solutions, the firm
helps clients achieve greater organizational performance by
assessing, recruiting, developing and engaging the best and
brightest people for their businesses. Hudson is a division of
Hudson Highland Group, Inc. one of the world's leading professional
staffing, retained executive search and human capital solution
providers. The company employs more than 3,800 professionals
serving clients and candidates in more than 20 countries through
its Hudson and Highland Partners businesses. More information is
available at http://www.hudson.com/. DATASOURCE: Hudson CONTACT:
Nikki Leonardi of Hudson, +1-813-890-7521, , or Sarah Kafenstok of
Ogilvy Public Relations for Hudson, +1-312-397-6025, Web site:
http://www.hudson.com/ http://www.hudson-index.com/
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/
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