Workplace abuse rife

Poll finds companies are slow to act

ALMOST two thirds of British workers claim they have suffered “unethical behaviour” at their work, such as theft, verbal abuse and harassment.

The survey from Warwick Business School found that employees regularly experienced behaviour that would spark “widespread public condemnation”.

More than 40% of those interviewed said they sometimes experienced unethical behaviour at work, while 9% said it happened more than half of the time, 8% encountered unethical behaviour most of the time and 3% said it happened all the time.

Harassment, sexism, theft and verbal abuse were the most common unethical behaviours with mid-level and junior employees the most likely offenders.

Despite this, 77% of affected employees said their company had made no changes as a result.

It was found such bad experiences had changed how they view their workplace, with 42% declaring that it had made them feel more negative. The university’s survey also picked up reports of physical abuse, conflicts of interest, misuse of company resources, racism and discrimination.

Nick Chater, professor of behavioural science at Warwick Business School, said: “The scale of the problem suggests that workers often feel unable to speak out against unethical behaviour.”

While senior staff were least likely to behave in an unethical manner, those who did so tended to be the most regular offenders.

The report claims corporate integrity was once an “additional benefit” companies could aspire to, but customers now expect integrity from any business.

Amazon is one firm that has faced scandals over alleged poor treatment of warehouse staff and drivers working illegal hours for less than the minimum wage.