Teamlease releases survey on workplace ethics

31 July 2008

Staffing services company TeamLease Services has released its 4th survey in its 'World of Work' series of surveys that seeks to make sense of changing scenario at workplaces in India.

The study titled 'Nothing Ethical about Ethics' attempts to present views about the corporate workforce on 'Workplace Ethics' across eight cities in India, viz. New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune.

Workplace ethics, says Teamlease, is a constant and evolving challenge that has direct impact on businesses and reputation.  Both management and employees have been trying to incorporate ethics into their office system that can help in retaining and attracting employees and customers alike. The study aims to gauge how far this has been successful, and what the current scenario is when it comes to taking liberties with office rules, trying to reveal 'hidden truths'.

A few of the interesting recalls from respondents on unethical behaviour noticed by co-workers incude:

• Kolkata: Bribing for business purpose and sexual harassment
• Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad: False commitment to customers and harassment by seniors
• Hyderabad: People who have side business are not 100% dedicated to work
• Chennai: Revealing client information to competitors and Boss having an affair with the junior and treating others unfairly

Surabhi Mathur, General Manager, Permanent Staffing, TeamLease Services, says ''The acceptable code of conduct in Corporate India is morphing from the dogmatic thought police whose card carrying members were the HR department to a more fluid situation that accepts diversity, relativity and materiality.  Some people view this as a devaluation but Companies are getting better at defining non-negotiables but not interfering in trivia.''

The study further reveals that Kolkata reacts strongly towards unethical office behaviour, whereas the most lenient city is Ahmedabad.