Integrity in the workplace

You may have heard the term before, but what exactly is workplace integrity and why is it so important? Integrity in the workplace is important because it’s essential to long-term success for you as a worker and for your employer at an organisational level. 

For employees, demonstrating a high level of integrity in the workplace helps boost job satisfaction and improve career prospects. At a broader organisational level, a business or team that values integrity and nurtures this trait is more likely to offer a positive workplace culture. 

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of workplace integrity and how you can demonstrate integrity on the job. 

What is integrity in the workplace?

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong ethics. In the workplace, integrity drives people to do the right thing the right way, through their actions, words and beliefs. A person with integrity does the right thing even when no one is watching.

In the workplace, acting with a high level of integrity means you show respect for ethics and moral principles. If you have integrity on the job, you’re more likely to be seen as trustworthy, dependable, honest and reliable, making you a valued team member.

There are several traits that are associated with people who act with integrity. These include: 

• Honesty 
• Accountability
• Responsibility
• Respect
• Trustworthiness
• Humility
• Reliability
• Patience
• Ethical decision-making

Why is professional integrity important?

With some professions – like those in the police force and government – it’s easy to see the importance of integrity in the workplace. But even in jobs with no clear prerequisite for integrity, it’s still an important quality to have. Here’s why. 

Builds trust and credibility

Integrity is fundamental to building and maintaining trust with colleagues, customers/clients and stakeholders. When individuals act with honesty and transparency, and can be counted on to do the right things, they’re able to establish credibility and reliability, which is crucial in professional relationships.

Guides ethical decision-making

On an individual level, professional integrity guides you to make ethical decisions that are fair and aligned with societal and professional expectations. Employees who act with honour are also more likely to follow company policies and maintain confidentiality when it comes to their work.

Creates a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment

People who behave in line with their ethics and values in the workplace often experience a greater sense of personal satisfaction. Knowing that your actions align with your morals contributes to a positive self-image and a sense of purpose in your professional life. Doing your job with integrity also means doing your best for customers, clients and colleagues, which feeds into personal fulfilment.

Ensures long-term success

Professional integrity is essential to long-term success for you and your empoyer. Companies that prioritise integrity are often better positioned to attract and keep talented workers. Plus, a strong track record of ethical behaviour attracts positive attention, builds good company culture, and positively shapes public perception. 

On an individual level, people with integrity can be relied upon to do their jobs to a high standard – a quality that reflects well in performance reviews and can translate to promotions and bonuses.

How to demonstrate integrity in the workplace

Behaving in line with your own morals and beliefs is sometimes easier said than done, but it’s worth making the effort, if only for your own sense of fulfilment. Here are a few ways you can demonstrate integrity and contribute to creating a positive workplace environment:

• Communicate honestly
• Acknowledge the high-quality work of others
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Support your colleagues and treat them fairly
• Honour your commitments and deadlines
• Respect and maintain confidentiality
• Abide by your organisation’s policies 
• Complete your duties to the best of your ability
• Demonstrate consistency in your actions and decisions
• Be respectful of your teammates' ideas and opinions
• If you’re in a leadership position, lead by example

Examples of integrity in the workplace

Now that you know how to demonstrate workplace integrity, here are some realistic examples and scenarios that can help you visualise what acting with integrity might look like at work.

Example of avoiding conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest often cause issues in the workplace. If you’re striving to demonstrate integrity, it’s best to avoid situations where your interests are at odds with your company or colleagues. 

For example:

You’ve been working with a client on their account. As a gift, they offer you an all-expenses paid weekend away. However, your company has a policy that prohibits accepting gifts from clients. Rather than take the gift, you thank your client and explain that you can’t accept due to the company policy. 

By turning down the gift, you’re able to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Depending on your company’s compliance policies, you should also disclose the situation to your manager to make sure they’re aware of the situation. 

Example of being accountable for your actions

Taking responsibility for your actions is a key part of acting with integrity at work. This example demonstrates accountability and honesty in developing a solution.

For example:

You have a looming deadline for an important project but due to various reasons you’re not on track to deliver it on time. Rather than continue to work towards the deadline, you approach your manager, explain the situation to them and provide them with several potential options, including pushing back the deadline and enlisting help from a colleague. By notifying your manager in advance of the deadline, you were able to work with them to shift the deadline to a date that suited everyone.

Example of speaking up against unethical practices

Unethical practices work against showing integrity in the workplace, so it’s essential to speak up when you see unethical behaviour on the job. 

For example:

You work in the finance department and notice that one of your team members has been manipulating financial records to inflate the company's profits. You take the time to carefully gather evidence to support your claim and report the issue to your manager. Alternatively, you might choose to report this behaviour anonymously if your workplace offers this option. By speaking up against unethical practices, you’re able to demonstrate your commitment to workplace integrity and uphold ethical standards within your organisation. 

Examples of poor workplace integrity

Integrity plays a key role in creating a positive workplace environment, but there are plenty of instances where employees and organisations display poor integrity. You may have already seen examples of a lack of integrity in your professional experience. A lack of workplace integrity can lead to undesirable outcomes for employees and companies alike. Here’s what it can look like in the workplace. 

Example of not being honest

Dishonestly can impact an individual’s reputation and lead to serious issues within a workplace if it’s not addressed promptly. 

For example:

You have an upcoming performance review and you know that you’ve been falling short of your KPIs. To paint yourself in a better light, you inflate your figures to make it appear as if you’ve exceeded your targets. 

Example of conflicts of interest

Nepotism can be a huge source of conflict of interest within the workplace. This kind of conflict can lead to employee dissatisfaction and potentially impact the reputation of the organisation.

For example:

Your work in a management position within your organisation. A position has recently opened up on your team and your good friend applies for the job. Rather than disclose your relationship with your superior, you offer them the position over other, more suitable, candidates. 

Example of participating in unethical practices

Engaging in unethical behaviour can include misusing company time, exploiting other workers or participating in insider trading. While some cases of unethical practices in the workplace might not seem like a big deal, they set a poor example for those around you, compromising company values.

For example:

You want to print a manuscript for a novel you’ve been writing in your spare time and during slow periods at work. Rather than going to a print shop, you use office equipment to print it. While you’re at it, you help yourself to a packet of pens and a notepad from the stationery cupboard to use at home. It might not seem like a big deal, but as your values start to slip, you begin to misuse company time and resources more regularly. Your workmates follow suit and the standards at the company continue to slide.

Promoting workplace integrity

Creating a workplace that values integrity starts with a top-down approach. If you’re a manager or team leader, you can help build a strong foundation of ethical behaviour that can help boost your team’s sense of satisfaction and trust, ultimately leading to long-term success for you and your colleagues.

Here are a few steps leaders and managers can take to promote integrity in their workplace:

• Create clear ethical guidelines
• Promote integrity at a senior level
• Implement ethical training programs
• Reward ethical behaviour
• Encourage open communication
• Promote diversity and inclusion
• Encourage healthy work-life balance
• Integrate integrity into performance metrics
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement

Acting with integrity is important for individual employees at all levels. While managers and leadership can set the policies, it’s important for you as a team member to display workplace integrity, no matter what role you’re in. 

Workplace integrity is key to organisational success and job satisfaction. It plays a crucial role in shaping organisational culture, by creating a positive, trusting and fair environment. When you feel aligned with the ethical values of your workplace, you’re more likely to feel satisfied in your role and motivated to contribute to the success of the company.

By implementing strategies, like drawing up codes of conduct and rewarding ethical behaviour, organisations are better placed to foster workplace integrity from the top, encouraging all employees to act with integrity while on the job.

FAQs

How does workplace integrity contribute to employee morale and job satisfaction?

When you demonstrate integrity in the workplace, you can make decisions and behave in line with your personal values and morals. When your work is aligned with your morals, you’re more likely to feel a sense of harmony and shared purpose, which ultimately leads to increased job satisfaction.  

What are some examples of unethical behaviour in the workplace?

There are a number of examples of unethical behaviour in the workplace, including:

• Dishonesty
• Conflicts of interest
• Bullying and harassment
• Fraudulent activities
• Nepotism and favouritism
• Abuse of power
• Direct violations of ethical standards

Unethical practices within an organisation can have an impact on the success of the business. While many companies implement ethical standards and codes of conduct to prevent unethical behaviour, these types of practices can still occur. With this in mind, it’s essential to address instances of unethical practices promptly to avoid serious repercussions.

How can leaders and managers set an example for workplace integrity?

Leaders and managers are often seen as role models of workplace integrity. Through their actions and behaviour, they play a key role in setting an example for their employees and creating a culture that encourages ethical conduct.

Beyond modelling ethical behaviour, here are some of the ways managers and leaders can promote workplace integrity:

• Establishing ethical standards
• Clearly communicating company values
• Providing ethical training
• Transparently addressing ethical dilemmas
• Holding themselves accountable
• Creating a code of conduct
• Regularly assessing adherence to ethical standards
• Recognising ethical behaviour

How is a code of ethics or conduct typically enforced?

Enforcing a code of ethics or conduct involves a combination of proactive measures, monitoring mechanisms and responsive actions. Ultimately, the goal of a code of ethics is to ensure that employees understand and uphold the standards detailed within the code. 

Before you can enforce your company code, it’s essential to make sure the code is clearly communicated to all staff and can be easily accessed for future reference. Other common practices for enforcing a code of ethics include:

• Providing training programs
• Incorporating adherence to the code of ethics into key performance metrics
• Providing anonymous reporting channels
• Investigating reports of potential violations promptly and thoroughly