Importance of work integrity

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If one thing exists that we should treasure more than anything, it is our reputation – the trust that others place in us. Hard to earn, it is easy to lose.

A natural bedfellow of reputation is integrity and how honest we are in our dealings with others.

Integrity in the workplace is important, and it is considered to be one of the most valuable attributes of an employee. It does not matter whether the individual is a frontline vet or in the accounts department – what is relevant is whether they act correctly and with the best of intentions.

It should concern practice owners that the 2024 Global Integrity Survey from EY found that “employee misconduct is directly influenced by the behaviours they observe from leaders”.

Worryingly, 25% of workers surveyed said they would behave unethically for their own benefit, but that figure rose to 67% among board members and 51% among senior management. The survey also noted that “more than eroding (or erasing) trust within and outside the organisation, a top-down, ‘all talk, no walk’ mentality puts the organisation’s reputation and bottom line at risk”. Clearly, then, businesses – practices – need to be proactive in this area, so as to engender a working culture of integrity.

Integrity defined

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, integrity means “soundness of moral principle; the character of uncorrupted virtue, especially in relation to truth and fair dealing; uprightness, honesty”. In the context of the workplace, it can apply to the individual just as much as it can to the organisation. Individuals need to match actions to words, whereas the body corporate needs to apply the principles of good governance and sustainable, ethical behaviours and community mindedness.

Again, for the individual, integrity means being honest and trustworthy, professional, ethical and consistent. Meanwhile, for the organisation, it means maintaining good leadership, making ethical decisions, being socially responsible, and following the law and professional guidelines.

Integrity is important for a number of reasons

Firstly, integrity placed at the core of how a workplace operates allows employees to work ethically and not worry about retaliation for raising concerns. It also aids staff retention and overall job satisfaction. Next, a culture of integrity lowers the risk that fraud, corruption and misconduct become considered acceptable and part of the workplace.

Then, the spin-off exists in terms of how the concept is viewed by colleagues, clients and others. An organisation that is seen to have integrity will be trusted, and so seen as more appealing to clients – it is good for brand image.

Lastly, organisations that operate with integrity tend to last longer and are more successful.

Integrity from the top

It should not be a surprise that integrity needs to filter down from the top; management needs to demonstrate adherence to its principles. The best way to build an organisation that operates with integrity and attracts the best is to hire and develop managers with integrity.

Beyond that, management needs to demonstrate a number of key attributes. Managers need to be both honest and transparent in their communications. This means sharing appropriate information openly and not withholding or distorting information for personal gain.

They also need to be consistent and match values and principles to their behaviour, and prove that they are reliable. If something goes wrong, they need to not hide from matter, but accept blame and move to rectify the matter.

They need to act ethically – especially where the alternative may be easier, cheaper or simpler; this can mean standing up for what is right, regardless. Similarly, managers need to defend their principles for the greater good.

They need to be professional and offer both respect and understanding toward others – a point especially pertinent in a diverse society. This means listening to the needs of others.

Finally, they need to lead by example, and so demonstrate what they expect of their staff.

By definition, this means applying the values the organisation holds and stands by.

Integrity and well-being

While integrity should be the cornerstone of any organisation, so it can also be the key to employee success and well-being.

With management – and colleagues – acting with integrity, so employee stress should be reduced. This is because workplaces that operate with integrity tend to be less stressful – especially where “difficult” choices need to be made or an issue arises over potential dishonesty and unfair treatment. Acting correctly means that every employee can legitimately expect and rely on colleagues and managers to act accordingly. By extension, a trusting workplace can enhance job satisfaction and employee commitment.

Allied to this is the benefit that where all act with integrity, so colleagues have and maintain healthy relationships based on mutual respect, honesty and trust. Collaboration becomes easier precisely because colleagues can rely on each other to work toward common goals. Workplaces with employees who consider their employer to have integrity are more likely to engage in positive actions for the benefit of all. This could mean promoting the employer, taking time to help others, or volunteering for extra tasks.

Wrap up

Society is changing. It is become fractured, automated, more impersonal, and the desire to act without integrity is becoming less taboo. Some seek a fast way to make more money, are willing to be corrupt or are prepared to steal to get what they want. But, it does not have to be so.

While most are inherently honest, all can be taught that malevolent or criminal actions are not acceptable. But doing this requires intervention from management, along with the establishment of an ethos where integrity is at the root of everything that the organisation does.

Values must be embedded throughout the organisation, and noncompliance or transgressions must not be accepted.

Ultimately, getting this right is not only good for the organisation, but also for the employees who will stay longer, which must surely be a boon in a tight recruitment market.