Integrity is important for a company, and to have it involved in a scandal will have detrimental effects to its business. You want to assure the public that the company remains in line with the values it upholds. While the company can always do damage-control once the scandal is publicised by the media by expressing shock and dismay and assuring that it won’t happen again, this doesn’t make the public forget the misconduct.
While none of us are above temptations, business heads have to be. Therefore, it is better to prevent than to cure. Companies must address or curb any scandal-causing behaviour before the misconduct occurs, and here are tips on how to make the workplace as free as possible of any temptations that cause scandal.
1. Lead Through Example
The company’s management must always think of themselves as the role models of their subordinates and must always exhibit good behaviour, making it clear that anything unethical is unacceptable in the company. Having seen the leaders’ good example, the rest of the employees will follow suit until scandal-causing behaviours are consider outside the norm. Companies hire independent consultants to help them out in providing, among many others, the right training of personnel. You can read Avensure reviews and complaints to help you decide if this type of service will help your company produce better staff.
2. Unequal Treatment
Steer clear of giving an employee special treatment. If other employees sense inequality or favouritism – such as giving a worker a free ride – it will show them that even the management do not abide by the code of conduct. Workers who notice these unfairness are usually pushed to put their own interest first, as they start to doubt their executives.
3. Leaders Not Held Accountable
Out of fear of losing their jobs, workers usually turn the other way when they catch a leader in misconduct. Good leaders tend to go astray if there is no one to hold them accountable for their mistakes. Leaders must make every employee feel safe to report any mistake or challenge decisions and actions.
4. Being Lenient
Scandals usually begin small. For example, an employee didn’t observe a minor safety regulation but the other worker who witnessed it opted not to report it. The offender may feel at ease to continuously disregard the regulation and as the situation develops, an accident may occur, which would then reveal how the offender’s disregard of rules are ignored. It is therefore important not to let a minor offense go, especially when it involves safety and finances.
5. Encourage Honesty
Reward an employee’s honesty. Rewards of a good performance must be based on impressive professional behaviour, and not only on results. It is not enough that your company provides incentives or rewards to workers who meet goals, regardless of how they do it. This will only encourage dishonest means.
6. Hotline For Whistleblowers
Maintain a hotline that employees can use to confidentially report wrongdoings.
7. Discourage Office Flings Or Romances, Especially Extramarital Affairs
Discourage romantic relationships within the office, especially between supervisors and their subordinates. Love affairs must be kept out of the office. There are articles you can find online that explains why office romance can spell trouble. Above are some of the tips to guide you in keeping your company out of scandals. The guidelines can help your employees stay focused on their tasks and keep business running smoothly.