Reference no: EM132376141

There's no question that managers strongly influence ethical behavior at work. Whether you call them bosses, team leaders, supervisors, or higher-ups, people in management positions make decisions every day that set an ethics-tone affecting their co-workers. A survey conducted for Deloitte & Touche USA found the following.

• Most common unethical acts by managers and supervisors include verbal, sexual and racial harassment, misuse of company property, and giving preferential treatment.
• 91% of workers are more likely to behave ethically when they have work-life balance; 30 % say they suffer from poor work-life balance
• Top reasons for unethical behavior are low personal integrity(80%) and poor job satisfaction(60%)
• Most workers consider it unacceptable to steal from an employer, cheat on expense reports, take credit for another's accomplishments, and lie on time sheets.
• Most workers consider it acceptable to ask a work colleague for a personal favor, take sick days when not ill, or use company technology for personal affairs.

What does this mean ?

Are there any surprises in these data? Is this emphasis on manager and direct supervisor behavior justified as the key to an ethical workplace? What is your reaction to what the workers in this survey reported as acceptable and unacceptable work behaviors? Based on your experiences, what would you add to the list of unacceptable behaviors? Have you seen these kinds of behavior where you work? What would your supervisor say if you reported these behaviors ? Would you feel safe doing so? Why or why not?