Work-life balance affects ethical behaviour
The ‘2007 Deloitte & Touche USA LLP Ethics & Workplace Survey’ has found a strong link between work-life balance and ethical behaviours at work.
The survey's results, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Deloitte & Touche USA, demonstrate that the behaviours of management and direct supervisors, together with positive reinforcement for ethical behaviour, are the top influences for an ethically sound workforce.
Ninety-one per cent of employed adults agreed that staff members are more likely to make ethically acceptable decisions if they have a good work-life balance. Forty-four per cent of respondents, meanwhile, cite high levels of stress, long hours and inflexible schedules as the causes of conflict between their work responsibilities and personal priorities.
Sharon L. Allen, chairman of Deloitte & Touche USA, explains: “In the competitive environment of attracting and retaining talent, it is imperative that employers provide employees with the means to attain a healthy work-life balance. This is not only key to job satisfaction and retaining your most valued employees, but it is also critical in fostering an ethical workplace culture.”
The survey also reveals the importance impact management and supervisors have in promoting ethical workplace behaviour. Respondents ranked the behaviour of management (42%) and direct supervisors (36%) as the top two influences in keeping a workplace ethically cultured.
“In order to encourage high ethical standards within our organisations, we first have to provide an environment that is conductive to ethical behaviour,” says Allen. “However, management and leadership have a huge responsibility in setting examples for their organisations, and living the values they preach if they want to sustain a culture of ethics.”
