The topic of this article is how intimate bonds can influence an employee's willingness to challenge unethical behavior in the workplace. When someone challenges unethical behavior, they may face repercussions from their superiors or coworkers which could potentially harm their relationship with them. This is especially true if there are close personal ties between the person who is being challenged and those who are involved in the situation. In order to fully understand why employees may be hesitant to speak out against such behaviors, it is important to look at some examples.
One example would be a situation where a worker discovers that their employer has been embezzling funds from the company. If the employee were to report this behavior, they may risk damaging their professional relationship with their superior. This could lead to negative consequences for both parties, as the employer may no longer trust the employee and the employee may feel like they cannot rely on their manager.
If other workers find out about the reporting, they may also lose faith in their co-worker and view them as a "snitch" or "tattletale". As a result, challenging unethical behavior can create relational harm by causing social isolation or damage to one's reputation within the organization.
Another example would be a case where an employee witnesses sexual harassment taking place. It is not uncommon for people to feel uncomfortable speaking up when they see something like this happening due to fear of retaliation or embarrassment.
Failing to address the issue can have serious consequences for everyone involved, as the victim may continue to suffer in silence while the perpetrator continues their actions. Not only does this create an unsafe work environment but it also sends a message that these types of behaviors will be tolerated. By remaining silent, employees may be reinforcing negative behavior patterns which can lead to further instances of mistreatment down the line.
Intimate bonds play a significant role in shaping an individual's willingness to challenge unethical behavior at work. When relationships are formed between those who engage in such acts and others around them, there is often a tendency for individuals to remain silent out of fear of repercussions or shame.
This can create an atmosphere where unethical practices go unchecked and lead to broader issues within organizations.
How do intimate bonds alter employees' willingness to challenge unethical behavior when doing so risks relational harm?
When individuals perceive their romantic relationship as important, they are more likely to sacrifice their ethical principles for the sake of preserving that relationship (e. g. , Duffy et al. , 2013). This is because close relationships provide people with an abundance of benefits, including emotional support, social integration, self-esteem enhancement, and identity formation (e. g.