Inc.com reports the finding from a recent Harris Interactive poll for Deloitte & Touche in Stress and Long Hours Prompt Employees to Lie, Cheat, and Steal. The article summarizes two key findings from a poll of over 1,000 employees nationwide this past February.
Work-life conflicts lead to poor decision-making and unethical behavior
In the first finding, 91% of those polled said that employees with good work-life balance were more likely to behave ethically on the job. Work-life conflicts were seen as causing stress and job dissatisfaction. These in turn led to poor decision-making and unethical behavior — stealing, cheating, divulging company secrets.
these conditions were brought about by their leaders’ oppressive and exploitative behavior
I’ve witnessed this firsthand over the years. When people are under extreme stress at work, they might steal to compensate themselves to the extent that they feel underpaid. They might cheat or lie to cover up for substandard performance. In these ultra-competitive times, employers may just crack down and demand more out of people, but they must realize the danger of this type of management. Though I can’t condone cheating or stealing or lying, I have observed more than once that these conditions were brought about by their leaders’ oppressive and exploitative behavior.
Which brings us to a second finding from the poll – a significant factor in maintaining a “culture of ethics” in the organization was leaders who practiced what they preached.
Some lessons to consider:
- You job does not define your identity. Your identity is rooted in your relationship to God and how He values you. When your work becomes your core identity and basis of significance, your personal, moral and ethical perspective will be clouded.
If someone invests all of their time and energy in their jobs, it may have the unintended consequence of making them dependent on their jobs for everything — including their sense of personal worth.
— Sharon Allen, Chairman of the Board of Deloitte & Touche USA - If you are in an out-of-balance environment, set clear boundaries and reestablish your priorities. Speak directly to your supervisor about this, but be warned: you may pay a price. Some organizations have no respect for work-life issues.
- As a leader, be an example of ethical behavior and good work-life balance. The apostle Paul instructed his protégé, Timothy:
In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example…
— I Timothy 4:12, NASB - As a leader, be aware of “the condition of your flock”
(Proverbs 27:23). And heed this warning regarding the exploitation of people:All the workers you've exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger.
— James 5:4, The Message
