Ethical workforce reflects honest management

Internal Auditor, June, 2008 by R. Filipek

TRANSPARENCY CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON AN organization's culture, according to Deloitte's 2008 Ethics and Workplace survey, conducted by global market research firm Opinion Research. The study of more than 4,000 adults, including I,670 full-time U.S. workers, finds that open and honest communication between corporate leaders and employees can lead to a more productive and ethical workforce.

Eighty-four percent of respondents agree that openness by leadership contributes to a more ethical workplace culture, and 68 percent say openness creates a more values-based organization. "By promoting open and honest communications across organizations and setting the tone at the top, the workforce of today can be motivated in different ways," Deloitte Chairman Sharon Allen said in a release. "This is increasingly critical to retaining talent and preserving the health of today's organizations."

The ability to balance work and personal priorities is another factor leading to a more productive and engaging work environment, the survey notes. More than 80 percent of respondents participate in customized work arrangements, such as telecommuting, shortened work weeks, part-time or reduced hours, and flextime. However, nearly 40 percent say taking advantage of formal flextime policies would hurt their career advancement, and 48 percent say using informal flex options, such as taking time off for personal activities, will hurt their career. Such fears could explain why more than half of respondents take unscheduled time off during work hours, even though it may be against company policy.

At the same time, half of participants say their supervisors set different standards for themselves. Seventy-two percent say if their superiors were more open about their need to take personal time off, it would create a more productive workplace. To counter this perception, the survey recommends leaders set the tone at the top by promoting an open and transparent workplace in which everyone is treated equally.

For more information about the survey, visit the Deloitte Web site at www.deloitte.com.

R. Filipek