Survey shows many people use recreational drugs at work
Consuming alcohol and drugs are just a couple of unacceptable behaviours that workers are doing at work, according to a recent report.
Express Employment Professionals note that many workers conduct unacceptable behaviours at work, including:
A previous report noted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers admitted to visiting porn sites on their laptops and having sex while on the clock.
Half of companies (50%) also say employees can be “too honest” at work, and 45% of companies say employees don’t know when or where it is appropriate to be honest in the workplace, according to Express’ survey of 504 Canadian hiring decision-makers conducted by The Harris Poll between May 16 and June 3, 2024.
Currently, a lot of employers say that workers are:
A previous Express report noted that while a majority of Canadian workers feel they can be honest with their managers, personal matters remain a sensitive topic.
Being too honest or acting unprofessionally at work can have serious consequences, with almost two-thirds of companies (62%) saying it will damage an employee’s professional reputation, according to the recent Express report.
However, Canadian job seekers (both unemployed and employed but looking for work) strongly agree that employees at their company do not know when and where it is appropriate to be honest in the workplace (56%).
They are also more likely to agree on what is not acceptable behaviour in the workplace (e.g., 77% say getting drunk during work hours is unacceptable, as is dating a manager or senior executive (50%)).
However, when it comes to admitting to the unprofessional behaviours they have engaged in at work, job seekers admit to making personal calls or using social media at work (41%), swearing (32%), gossiping (25%), crying (24%) and using company resources for personal use (17%).
“While workplaces have become more casual and honesty is highly valued, maintaining a level of professionalism is still essential,” says Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. “It’s about striking a balance where openness and respect coexist, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for everyone.”
Job seekers believe that honesty in the workplace is important. And almost all (93%) agree a work environment that allows employees and managers to be honest with one another is essential to a company’s success, according to a previous Express report.
To improve the situation, employers can share to their workers the following from Indeed about ensuring they practice professionalism at work:
