21 June, 2021

If you get on with your boss you’re more likely to lie for them

New research reveals that employees are more likely to engage in unethical behaviour for a boss with whom they have a good relationship.

Businessman and his shadow with a growing nose

Image: Zenzen/Shutterstock

We generally believe that it is a good thing to have strong relationships with the people we work for and those we manage. Organisations and leaders do many things to cultivate this: retreats, one-on-one meetings, lunches, coaching—to name a few. But good relationships at work can also lead to unethical behaviour. In a recent study with our colleagues Ramzi Said and Onne Janssen, we found that people who report stronger relationships with their bosses are more likely to engage in bad behaviour on their behalf. This included things like misrepresenting the truth or withholding negative information about them to make their manager look g

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behavioural ethics, business ethics, corporate culture, ethics, Executive behaviour, Jennifer Jordan, leadership, research, Tim Vriend