Express Employment Professionals’ America Employed and Canada Employed series explore the state of employment in North America, including everything from hiring expectations and HR challenges to job seekers’ optimism and shrinking the skills gap. Learn about the latest insights uncovered in a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
There are times when honesty is the best policy, but workers should be aware of being too honest at work. Companies may pride themselves on creating a culture that allows employees to feel comfortable speaking openly, and honesty can positively influence productivity and employee loyalty. But, there are pitfalls to being too honest.
Most U.S. hiring managers believe their companies’ culture promotes honest communication from employees. Ninety-five percent of respondents believe employees can speak openly about issues or concerns with anyone at the company, with managers/supervisors (68%), and peers/colleagues (57%).
According to the survey:
- 70% of hiring managers believe employees should feel comfortable discussing personal issues with their manager if they impact their work
- 39% say their company doesn’t provide resources or training on managing employees’ personal issues
- 67% feel that discussing personal matters at work hinders productivity
Half of Canadian companies say employees can be too honest, which includes sharing too much personal information about themselves or a colleague (59%), criticizing colleagues or the company (59%), gossiping (53%), using personal insults when giving feedback (43%) and sharing too many details about their personal issues (e.g., their health, intimate relationships or finances) (38%).
The survey also unveiled:
- Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Canadian companies feel being too honest at work will damage an employee’s professional reputation.
- 50% of hiring managers find it challenging to help employees navigate personal issues, like health, relationships, or finances, to improve productivity
Read more about the latest employment insights in America Employed at ExpressPros.com and Canada Employed at ExpressPros.ca.
