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Ethics in the workplace are critical to a healthy culture and when employees lose trust in their leadership it’s not just morale that suffers. Resume Now’s new Ethics Fallout Report reveals insights into the reasons why employees chose to leave their roles, with nearly half (47%) stating that they have considered quitting because their employer’s actions didn’t align with the organization’s stated values. Another 36% of employees said they’ve stayed silent about unethical behavior solely to protect their role.
Injustice in the workplace such as favoritism, retaliation and performative diversity efforts are red flags for any workplace and to employees these behaviors signal that ethics are conditional, not universal. Many workers are not just worried about these behaviors, but have actually seen them play out. According to the report, 21% of employees reported retaliation after someone spoke up about unethical behavior. Additionally, 43% say they have witnessed favoritism in promotions or raises. Another 9% say that they feel DEI efforts at their organization exist only for show.
“Bad leadership can undermine a workplace’s ethics and – in doing so – undermine employees’ sense of safety and trust. Inconsistent or lacking ethics in the workplace can damage morale, create fear, and contribute to a toxic workplace culture,” the report said.
Feeling safe at work is critical to developing an authentic and positive culture. Yet many employees say they feel they have to mask their identity or stay silent at work. The report found that 54% of employees feel pressure to “fit the mold” at work and only 41% would be comfortable raising ethical concerns. Additionally, only 44% said they would recommend their company, depending on the team.
“When people feel they cannot speak up without facing consequences, they stop trying,” said Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. “A Culture that punishes honesty or protects bad behavior does more than lose trust. It drives people out. Workers are paying attention to what companies do, not just what they say.”
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