Whether at home, or at work, most people at one point or another are tempted to tell lies – big or small – in order to get out of a sticky situation. And in fact, according to a survey by CareerBuilder, 19% of workers admit to lying on the job, at least once a week. The reasons given were:

• To appease a customer: 26%
• To cover up a mistake, missed deadline, or failed project: 13%
• To explain a late arrival or unexcused absence: 8%
• To protect another employee: 8%
• To get another employee in trouble: 5%

While one little white lie might not bring down the company, the truth is generally the best policy when it comes to the workplace. So how can you ensure honesty reigns supreme at your company? Here are some ideas:

It starts at the top.

As one of the leading staffing agencies in Houston, Texas, we know that honest communication should be a staple in the workplace. Bosses and managers should be communicating regularly with employees about both good news and bad news. Talking about the positive makes your employees feel good and improves morale, while discussing the negatives opens the door for input and ideas about how to overcome mistakes and setbacks. But don’t stop there. Beyond just talking about how to overcome a mistake, discuss the lessons learned from it.

Encourage opposing viewpoints and open dialogue.

Openly recognize and embrace meaningful viewpoints that run counter to what’s being said by everyone else. Even if you don’t agree with the opinion, it will demonstrate to your employees that it’s always safe to speak their mind. In addition, open, honest communication will shine a light on poor practices or weaknesses so that you can shore them up in the future.

Brush up on your listening skills.

Employees place high value on employers who actually listen to them and care about their overall well-being, not just how productive they are on the job. And happy employees equal more loyal employees.

Hold employees accountable.

Some employers don’t think a small lie, or a few small lies, is that big of a deal. But it’s more about the character of the employee who’s doing the lying – than the actual lying – that is an issue. So when an employee does lie, don’t let it slide. Hold him or her accountable. Depending on the severity of the lie, you may even feel the need to terminate employment. The last thing you want is an employee you can’t trust.

If that’s the case, and you need help finding a replacement, give us a call. As one of the top staffing agencies in Houston, Texas, we source top talent for a variety of positions across a broad range of business disciplines. Contact us today to learn more.