By Dr. Sue Ann T. Guy

Definition, Occurrence and Symptoms: Listing false employment entries on your resume, hiring friends and family covertly via nepotism, adding unworked hours to your timesheet, billing clients for services not rendered, submitting expense reimbursement for a date night, returning overused products to vendors as damaged, reporting financial or inventory losses after stealing, gossiping about false stories against coworkers, etc. There are multiple examples of employee lying or dishonesty in the workplace.1, 3 Employees may perpetrate lies or become victims of lies for any reason within the work environment. EMC Insurance warns that missing inventory, unworked hours reported and over-expensing for reimbursement are just a few signs a dishonest employee is lurking.4 Dishonesty in the workplace evokes feelings of mistrust, low morale, alienation, severe anxiety and depression.5 Honesty in the workplace, on the other hand, encourages open communication, employee empowerment and a sense of workplace safety or trust.6

Coping and Recovery: Preventing or eliminating dishonesty in the workplace ensures business and employment longevity, increases productivity and morale, improves business reputation and strengthens employee relationships.2 Employers should provide and enforce employee handbooks. Handbooks must specify policies, rules, regulations and rewards (good or bad) for employee conduct, expectations and requirements (i.e., attendance, communications, performance, etc.). To cope with a dishonest employee or coworker, first provide proof or witness of dishonesty or lying, documenting such behavior accordingly. Do not be accusatory.7 Refer to your employee handbook for employer policies and guidelines. Advocate for open communication with the employee, speak with the dishonest staff member or direct the Human Resources Manager to meet with the employee formally. While improving employee conduct is preferred, employers may simply terminate dishonest or unethical employees. Employees experiencing dishonest management or leadership within an organization may refer to the HR Manager before considering resignation with legal counsel or arbitration. Foster and communicate a work environment that promotes honest and open employee communication where employees feel safe to discuss needs, performances, emotions or experiences.

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