We are all familiar with the term integrity. We might, however, not be clear on how to understand it when it comes to the workplace.

Integrity is a trait that encompasses honesty, loyalty, dependability, accountability, sound judgment and trustworthiness. Integrity is a person’s commitment to moral values even in times when mentioned virtues are difficult to uphold. People with integrity display strong ethical and moral principles and uphold these principles no matter the situation.

This fundamental value is essential to establishing solid work relationships that are built on trust and is an important trait that employers look for in potential candidates.

Individuals who have integrity also have several other valuable traits, such as self- awareness, truthfulness, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and their work. They are more reliable and easier to work with in comparison with those who don’t possess this important character trait.

A workforce composed of people with integrity is one where you can trust the employees to perform to the best of their ability. They don’t compromise on their ideals; they don’t cut corners, cheat, or lie. They behave according to an internally consistent code of values.

Integrity in business can strengthen relationships within the organisation as well as those outside the organisation because others can rely on fairness and morally correct behaviour.

Integrity is about more than simply trusting an employee. An individual with integrity lives their life in a moral and ethical manner, they have good interpersonal skills and the core values they hold extend to their professional life as well.

Integrity in a working environment helps create a positive culture where staff work well together, trust each other, have respect, can depend on each other and are compassionate.

This working culture is conducive to a motivated, happy workforce that will typically be more productive than a workforce where integrity is lacking.

Integrity in the workplace helps foster an ethical approach to internal decision-making process. A company that has loyal, trustworthy staff is

ikely to put their wellbeing first.

Employees who do not exhibit traits of integrity can be toxic to workplace culture and therefore a company’s productivity.

Employers will be more comfortable with those who demonstrate integrity; they may give them more responsibility, promote them sooner, trust them to represent the company publicly, allow them to lead a team and share confidential information with them.

In a working environment, honesty opens communication channels and makes for a more robust, productive organization.

Regularly discussing the meaning of integrity with your employees gives them a chance to learn your expectations and helps develop a culture of integrity in the workplace.

Whilst integrity is a quality rather than a skill, it can still be developed. It is not possible to absorb integrity values overnight, but if you make a conscious effort to include and develop important (previously mentioned) traits you are on the right path to success.

If you would like to know more don’t hesitate to contact us on www.assuranceoflearning.com