In this Conflict and Communication (ORCO 3650) assignment, I analyzedworkplace misconduct and its causes. In this report I was able to: assess the problem, its causes, and offer solutions to the problem.
Brian Ingram
ORCO 3650
Workplace Misconduct
February 14, 2008
Workplace Misconduct Report
Introduction
In today’s society there are various reasons why people commit crimes in the workplace. While most people would agree stealing a computer from work is a crime, most people would also agree that taking a pen from work is not stealing. Although most organization’s have a Code of Ethics, every employee’s personal Code of Ethics may not be in line with that of the company’s. People have their own views on what is right and what is wrong. Thus, we have workplace misconduct.
Workplace Misconduct
Workplace misconduct is defined by the National Business Ethics Survey (NBES) as any behavior that violates the law or organizational ethics (Web 1). Workplace misconduct comes in various forms. No two crimes are a like and can be committed in many different forms. Most “misconduct” in the workplace happens in an unconventional way and not your traditional masked robber format. In an interview with Kristy Carman, Extended Schools Program Site Director she stated, “People will do anything to get money. They will write inaccurate times on time sheets, they will have others clock in for them, and they will almost stop at no length to get what they want, when they want it and how they want. Being an administrator it is important to catch these issues as quickly as possible and nip them in the bud. If not the will boil over into major problems.” (KC Interview) People have been known to steal by: lying on timesheets, stealing goods, computer fraud, manager fraud, financial statement, asset misappropriation, and embezzlement (ORCO 3650 Notebook). Some cases of workplace misconduct are discovered immediately, while others take months and sometimes years to figure out something is not correct.
Why do people commit these crimes? There is no one answer as to why people commit these crimes, however there are some common reasons as to why it happens. One of the first and most important reasons people commit these crimes is opportunity. As stated in the ORCO 3650 Notebook, “Opportunity is key”. If the proper procedures are not in place for people to have to check each others validity on a day to day basis, this leaves room for misconduct. For example, a parent would not leave a 3 year old at home alone. Why not? The parent knows that the child will have idle time, or opportunity to get into any and everything that he or she is not allowed to get into while the parent is around. Therefore, the parent will leave the child in the care of a responsible adult that will ensure the child’s safety. The same concept applies to organizations. If not properly attended to, the people inside the organization will be tempted to delve into places that are typically not allowed to be in. Another reason people commit these crimes can either be greed or need (ORCO 3650 Notebook). Whether it is greed or a need, the motivation in this case is motivation. In extreme cases of a need, people feel they have no other option but to steal. In most of these cases, people simply want to provide for their families, significant others, and so on. In cases of greed, people just simply want more. What they currently have in there is no longer good enough and the easiest way to get more seems to be theft or abusing power.
Prevention
The ORCO 3650 lists several different tactics to eliminating workplace misconduct, those tactics include: prescreening employees, conducting frequent physical inventories, separate bookkeeping functions, personally approve bookkeeping adjustments, control check signers, review monthly bank statements, tighten up on petty cash, separate buying and bookkeeping, watch company credit cards, and have a third party refund policy (ORCO 3650 Notebook). Inc.com also suggests taking a “preventive approach” (Web 2). They found providing a problem-solving forum leads the elimination of theft.
Whistleblowing
Stuart Dawson of Victoria University defines whistleblowing as, “Whistleblowers are those who sound the alert on scandal, danger, malpractice, or corruption.” In order for whistleblowing to be effective in an organization a number of things must happen. First and foremost, the whistle blower must trust the boss. (ORCO 3650 Notebook) The must feel that the situation will be handled in a professional manner and their job and personal safety will not be in jeopardy. The ORCO 3650 notebook also states “involve employees in the planning and evaluation process” and “make it as easy and comfortable for them to share controversial information”. If an employees feels threatened by whistleblowing they should take a look at programs like the one offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. An excerpt from the program states, “To help ensure that employees are, in fact, free to participate in safety and health activities, Section 11(c) of the Act prohibits any person from discharging or in any manner discriminating against any employee because the employee has exercised rights under the Act.” (Web 3). This act is one of many that offers protection for whistleblowers. This issue has become so big that the government has created a special office for complaints, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (Web 4).
Conclusion
Workplace is obviously a big issue. There is no fool proof way to eliminate it. However, there are ways that it can be cut down. It happens for many different reasons, no reason better than the other. When all is said and done, it is theft. It is wrong and those who commit workplace misconduct must be held accountable for their actions.
