Building Integrity in The Workplace

Integrity in the workplace matters. However, there are some components needed to help build or create integrity in the workplace. Be that as it may, we may start by asking what integrity is and why it is important to build integrity in the workplace?

The dictionary defines, integrity as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles and moral uprightness. Answering the second part of the question, Kirsty Gardiner, Ph. D says that Integrity in the workplace matters and that integrity is often viewed as one of the most important and highly sought after characteristics of both employees and employers  Whilst  Peterson and Seligman (2004), said that ‘’integrity is a character strength involving honesty, morality, and trustworthiness.’’ Accordingly, for me, building integrity in a workplace is very important as this enhances positivity, unity and strength amongst the work force. So, to be able to build strength in a workplace, you have to be productive, have more growth, achieve more and have more accomplishments, and when this happens, it means that the people in your team are responsible and accountable to their tasks and also creating a unified strength that will accumulate into overall success of the organization.

 Consequently, some of the components that can help achieve integrity in the workplace are honesty, ethics or ethical behavior and consistency in work-based actions. There is also what l call ‘’Big Communication.’’ Yes, l chose the word, big communication because there is also what l call ‘’small communication’’.   Small communication is a situation where the person at the head dishes out information or takes steps without minding how the rest of the team receive or react to the information being passed down to them. Better – still, when team members are not given the opportunity to contribute to what goes on in the unit or team or even give feedback or report back on what is happening on the team. Whereas, in big communication everybody is given equal right to contribute and participate honestly in the communication and give reasonable suggestions on the happenings in the workplace.  Trust me when there is small or a lack of communication in the workplace, there will definitely be a lack of trust, consistency, ethical practice or behavior which could result into lack of integrity in that organization or workplace. Nonetheless, when there is big communication you know that the team will be stronger because everybody would speak honestly from their individual perspectives.  Don’t forget that these are people from different background, bringing their specific upbringing, learning styles to the team so that they can achieve success. Therefore, integrity in the workplace encompasses a range of qualities and behaviors that reflect honesty, ethics, and consistency in work-based actions. Besides, within the workplace, integrity can play out in a number of ways on both the individual and organizational level. At the individual level, it requires being honest, trustworthy, following organization’s values, being consistent, being professional and making ethical decisions.  Whereas, at the organizational level, we imagine that the organization will build a culture of integrity through leadership. Having clear committed corporate social responsibility, adhering to regulations and laws of the organization, making ethical decisions. and operating a fair and transparent governance.

In conclusion, building integrity in the workplace is very important because it ensures positive work environment, ethical conduct, risk management, credibility, reputation, brand image and long-term success (Gordon, 2022). In fact, Integrity in the workplace matters a lot and this is the reason why it is viewed as one of the most important and highly sought-after characteristics of both employees and employers. Apart from building trust and confidence in coworkers, clients and stakeholders, integrity enhances organizational reputation and brand image.  Organizations with a reputation for integrity attract more customers, investors, potential employees and also achieve long-term success and sustainability. According to Prottas, 2008’’ employees experience less stress and anxiety related to ethical dilemmas or concerns about dishonesty and unfair treatment, in an environment where integrity is prioritized.’’