Integrity in the workplace

Are you a person of integrity? Are you honest, reliable and trustworthy? Having integrity means you do what you say you are going to do and believe in what you say you believe in.

The key components of integrity are congruency and honesty. When your actions are the same (congruent) as your beliefs and values, you are a person with integrity. On the other hand, you can be honest and say what you believe in, but if you do not follow up on your honesty with action, you lack integrity.

Social importance of integrity

Why is having integrity so important? Think about the people you trust and respect. Most likely they are people who do what they say and say what they mean, in other words, people with integrity. Having integrity is having self-respect. The only person you are deceiving by not being honest in what you say you believe in, is yourself. If you do not respect yourself or can't trust yourself, then how can you expect others to trust and respect you?

Benefits of high integrity

• Have peace of mind; no guilty feelings
• Feel good for having done the right thing
• Gain other people's trust and respect
• Become a good example or an inspiration to others
• May get rewards in terms of money, promotions, awards, etc.

Consequences of low integrity

• May get punished, e.g. scolding, fines
• May get into trouble with the law
• Acquire a bad reputation
• Feel guilty
• Lose other people's trust and respect
• Get others into trouble.

Integrity in the workplace

Employers, business leaders and employees can benefit from integrity in the workplace. Integrity involves moral judgment, honesty and leadership values. Individuals who show integrity in the workplace not only understand right from wrong but they practise it in all they do. This is beneficial in a business environment where trustworthy actions set the foundation for successful business relationships.

The following are core principles of integrity in the workplace:

• Respect for others – treating others the way you want to be treated
• Honesty – encourages open communication between employers, employees and co-workers
• Confidentiality – instils trust and encourages consideration of the privacy of others
• Leading by example – improves personal awareness, sensitivity to others and accountability which are all necessary for ethical behaviour and integrity.

Value of walking the talk

The issues of integrity you will face in life will most likely be small, but throughout your life they will have a cumulative effect and will ultimately affect your sense of self. When you live with integrity, you will succeed. Over time you will be rewarded with a greater sense of self-respect and trust, not only from yourself, but also from others.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EWP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about integrity. Call us on the EWP number or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sources:

http://members.fortunecity.co.uk
http://smallbusiness.chron.com