It’s the responsibility of every business to foster an ethical work environment for all its employees. It should be inclusive of all individuals, focusing on the core values of integrity, respect, and accountability. It empowers the workforce and helps boost productivity, and earns the company their employees’ dedication and loyalty. By imposing strong workplace ethics, businesses can easily prevent discrimination and other unethical and criminal activities at their roots. It helps employees thrive in a comfortable environment where they have job security, and their voices are heard. It removes any misconceptions that may arise between them and management and ensures a transparent line of communication. Below we will provide some examples of the importance of maintaining workplace ethics and its impact on productivity.
It helps reduce turnover
Employee turnover is usually due to employees accepting positions with different organizations, either because they receive better offers or are discontented with their current company and wish to be a part of better work culture. Employees are the most valuable resources a company has, and if there is a drop in quality employees, productivity will soon follow. Creating a secure work environment means providing benefits like free coffee or a recreational pool table but investing time and money to ensure that everybody feels comfortable while doing their work. Job security is important, and it is imperative to create an environment where employees feel safe without being harassed or disturbed. If they have any qualms about the work they are being asked to do or the company’s lack of policies, they will, no matter how much they are being paid, eventually leave it. It’s a bad reflection on the company and can hurt its brand image. They could lose out on potential business deals and prospective employees unless they address their concerns.
Establish a strong HR department
By ensuring a zero-tolerance policy and an active HR Department, employees don’t have to deal with trivial issues and efficiently accomplish assignments. Assigning an HR Head that enforces its policies is a major step in helping productivity, and they often hold seminars and events to help create awareness against workplace harassment. Having your HR as a symbolic office rather than an actual enforcing authority is all kinds of wrong and will send the wrong message to your workforce.
It can lead to lawsuits and other legal issues
Companies that do not enforce their policies and have an unsafe work environment are usually subject to lawsuits and other legal issues. Employees who were harassed discriminated against, and ignored complaints by management may seek legal counsel, take them to a court of law, and demand restitution for their pain and inconvenience. Companies would then have to hire legal firms and in-house lawyers to defend them from it, and the result would be an embarrassment. Keep the drama to a minimum, and the best workplaces are quiet ones with professionals.
Theft and fraud
They could be leaving themselves exposed to fraud and theft, as employees might take advantage of the companies lack of ethics and steal physical items and even confidential information. Their attempts to steal business assets and secrets could be catastrophic for the company. Even trivial theft of office supplies is detrimental, as it sets a precedent for other criminal activities to occur. Have HR speak to the employees about the negative effects on the company’s welfare and impose strict fines and penalties for people who don’t follow the guidelines. It sounds harsh, but the fact of the matter is that the office is a professional environment where such behavior cannot be tolerated.
Workplace ethics must be followed and enforced for the welfare of the company as a whole. It affects client relationships, revenue, and the future of your business. Your work culture defines your company, and the structure of how it works is a reflection of how far your business can go. A workplace that fosters employee growth and comfortability is the best investment an entrepreneur can ever make and is directly related to its productivity.
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