What is workplace integrity?
There are many characteristics of workplace integrity. Honesty, respect, loyalty, responsibility and ownership are all examples of characteristics that form integrity. Workplace integrity means adhering to ethical behaviour, ethical principles and moral principles in the workplace.
As such, integrity in the workplace is important for good decision making, effective leadership and best-in-class customer service. Businesses may find that when they promote integrity within their organisation, they avoid costly legal action, reduce errors, drive accountability and instil values that will positively affect the company’s culture.
Having integrity in the workplace helps to create an ethical work environment. Fostering truthful and thoughtful leaders results in strong employee morale and higher retention rates. Integrity means consistently demonstrating ethical behaviour and upholding ethical principles and strong moral principles in all workplace actions and decisions.
Why does integrity in the workplace matter?
Integrity in the workplace is important because it underpins trust, ethical behaviour and overall organisational success. This section focuses on the value of having an organisation with high levels of integrity.
From leadership qualities to customer retention, we explore how integrity helps your organisation operate more smoothly.
Integrity in the workplace provides a solid foundation for both the company and its employees, leading to increased job satisfaction.
Integrity fosters a positive work environment
Organisations that promote strong values and an honest company culture will consequently drive integrity in their business environment.
Employees will feel that they are supported, that their leadership teams are honest and that the environment they evolve in is truthful and loyal.
This commitment to integrity fosters a supportive environment that values transparency and open dialogue.
Employees feel more comfortable sharing ideas or concerns and build stronger personal and professional connections, as integrity encourages healthy workplace relationships.
Integrity promotes DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) in your workplace culture
Integrity and DE&I go hand in hand. Organisations with high levels of integrity usually have diverse teams. They celebrate differences and thrive thanks to diverse opinions and open minds. A workplace culture with integrity values ensures that everyone feels seen, respected and treated fairly.
Inspiring leaders promote integrity
Companies with high levels of integrity have inspiring leaders who set the standard for others. Holding leaders to the company’s ethical standards directly impacts workplace integrity.
These leaders are mindful of their actions, words and decisions, acting in the best interests of the business and its employees rather than personal motives. Leading by example is important to promote a culture of strong organisational values.
Integrity builds and encourages trust on an ongoing basis
Trust needs to be cultivated. Maintaining integrity and demonstrating integrity are important for building trust, as they foster a supportive work environment and a positive reputation. Credibility is built on honesty and trust.
Businesses with integrity will retain their customers more easily and make credible decisions. Organisations can also foster integrity by promoting transparency and open communication, where they respect others’ opinions.
Integrity leads to truthful and ethical decision-making
Making mindful decisions that are ethical has an impact on how the workforce views their leadership teams. Healthy relationships, guided by an ethical approach, are essential for fostering integrity and trust within the organisation. They create a positive work environment.
These moral standards set the scene for the expectations and culture of the business. Organisations can support employees in navigating ethical dilemmas by encouraging open communication and providing training to develop problem-solving skills. As such, they establish an atmosphere of honesty and trust.
Integrity in the workplace builds resilience in the workforce
Setting clear standards builds natural resilience in the workforce. When people trust their leaders and feel comfortable at work, they find greater purpose in what they do.
Inspiring leadership creates a ripple effect, boosting morale, productivity and engagement. Integrity in the workplace also supports personal growth, strengthens work ethic and drives overall organisational performance.
Strong organisations value integrity and foster it as part of their company culture. As a result, employees are committed, feel comfortable in their positive work environment and are at the peak of their performance.
Workplace examples of integrity
To put workplace integrity into perspective, consider the following examples:
1) Being truthful when facing challenges
Being honest when facing challenges demonstrates integrity. For example, a manager may struggle to get two team members to work well together. Their ongoing clashes create tension and affect the quality of their work, which can impact customers. After several failed attempts to resolve the issue, the manager reaches out to the human resources team for help, and a mediation process begins.
In doing so, the manager shows honesty and openness with HR and the wider business. Encouraging colleagues to share concerns and ideas helps resolve conflicts and strengthen integrity at work.
By being transparent about the situation and its impact, the manager rebuilds a positive work environment within the team and reinforces ethical expectations.
2) Recognising and addressing mistakes
Mistakes are part of learning and growth, and taking responsibility for them is a key aspect of integrity. It’s not always easy to admit errors but doing so builds trust and accountability.
For example, a new employee realises they’ve made a mistake that could affect a customer. Instead of hiding it, they speak openly with their manager about what happened. The manager appreciates their honesty, recognising it as a sign of integrity and a willingness to learn.
3) Doing what is right at all times
Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. A project manager oversees an important project and notices some stakeholders losing motivation, causing delays.
In their manager’s absence, they coach and encourage the team to stay on track. By completing the project on time, the manager demonstrates commitment, accountability and professionalism, setting a positive example that can inspire others and strengthen the work environment.
How to encourage and demonstrate integrity in the workplace with other team members
The benefits of integrity in the workplace are obvious, but how can you promote it in your business? What can be done to drive integrity and maintain it in your organisation? Consider the following suggestions to adapt to your industry, company culture and other specifics.
Have an open mind and respect different points of view
Having an open mind and being open to different points of view is an important part of integrity. By honouring employees, recognising their work and engagement as well as their points of view, employers demonstrate their understanding of integrity.
Respecting others and being aware of personal values are also important, as they help foster authenticity and a positive work ethic in the workplace.
When employees share new ideas, senior leadership teams listen and consider the employees’ perspectives. Having empathy and trying to understand why they put the idea forward in the first place will help them forge a more rounded opinion, one that considers the workforce.
Self-awareness enables leaders and employees to respect different perspectives, taking responsibility for aligning their actions with their core beliefs.
Address challenges and conflicts in a respectful manner, even when it is uncomfortable
Workplace conflict happens. It is sometimes tricky to deal with and requires tactful interventions and maintaining a strong moral compass. Train your managers to handle conflict and remain calm, collected and respectful throughout the resolution process.
Help them understand the nature of the conflict, acknowledge the feelings of the employees involved and find for a solution, helping other team members in taking responsibility for their contribution to the conflict.
Set a good example as a manager
Leading by example is important. If a manager doesn’t behave appropriately and this behaviour is not addressed, teams will be led to believe that these types of actions are acceptable.
An open-minded manager, takes responsibility for their actions, is honest, thoughtful in their decisions and recognises when mistakes are made. They are the role models for the entire organisation.
Put the work in
Being able and ready to put the work in is part of having integrity. It means owning responsibilities and having accountability. Taking action and getting the ‘to-do list’ done is part of being professional.
Businesses can assist their teams by coaching them to be effective, helping them prioritise and by ensuring that they are not overwhelmed by work. Ultimately, this will drive engagement and help lead to greater job satisfaction.
Report any inappropriate behaviour to HR
Unethical behaviour has no place in the workplace. The business must address it promptly and enforce consequences. What counts as inappropriate, including unprofessional language, the personal use of company resources or divulging confidential information, is made known to all staff members and any unethical actions they witness are reported, regardless of who is involved.
Reporting such behaviour is important to uphold company policies and maintain a culture of integrity.
When reporting the behaviour, the witness is specific and explains the context and how the behaviour does not comply with the business policies. It is also important to protect confidential information and be mindful of what a colleague tells you in confidence, as mishandling such details can damage trust and teamwork.
Human resources teams are usually involved and take records and associated actions.
Prioritise workplace integrity. It builds an environment of honesty and promotes trust. Indirectly, it has an impact on employee engagement through a company culture of constructive feedback, helping to make ethical decisions.
