According to a CROP-CHRA survey carried out for the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, 23% of Quebec workers admit they’ve lied about their reasons for missing work in the past.
This figure is 7% higher than that reported in a similar survey conducted in 2005.
Some 73% of HR professionals also recognized this trend in a brief survey conducted by the Ordre, in which over 75% of them mentioned “stealing time” as the most widespread phenomenon in the workplace. Case law corroborates this established fact, reporting a number of cases, including that of a truck driver who was fired for having exaggerated the number of hours worked on his time sheet.
“This attitude doesn’t systematically reflect workers’ ill will. In some organizations, lack of communication and openness on the part of management prompts employees to lie,” explained Florent Francoeur, CHRP, Ordre President and CEO.
Are ethics an issue in Quebec organizations?
When Quebec workers were asked if they had ever concealed information or lied to their co-workers or to a superior about their work, 18% responded in the affirmative. Cross tabulated with the findings of another study recently conducted by the Ordre on conflicts in the workplace, this figure climbs to 29% in organizations where conflicts are frequent.
It was also noted that more men (22%) than women (14%) occasionally tell a lie or omit certain information and that these practices are more common among young people aged 18 to 34 (23%).
“Pressure on workers is increasing and missing work isn’t always viewed as acceptable.” Organizations would be well advised to provide a healthy work environment and to listen to their employees’ needs. Absenteeism is on the rise and, whether it’s through the direct costs it represents or the decline in employee motivation it reflects, organizations are always the ones that suffer,” concluded Francoeur.
Lastly, survey respondents generally feel their co-workers lack a strong sense of ethics. Based on their own personal values, 73% think that their co-workers’ behaviour is always or sometimes unethical.
For the complete CROP-CRHA survey findings, click here (in French only).
About the Ordre
The Ordre des conseillers en resources humaines agréés is the primary reference organization in its field in Quebec. It has a membership of more than 11,000 professionals, candidates and students. It is the only human resources organization devoted to the protection of the public authorized by the Professional Code to confer the professional designations of CHRP and CIRC. Active in all sectors, CHRPs and CIRCs contribute to the development and maintenance of a healthy working atmosphere and a safe, efficient organizational environment that respects the uniqueness of each and every employee. They also represent employers and employees in various areas of HR management, from labour relations, to staffing, training, occupational health and safety, organizational development and compensation.
