A new survey reveals that half of Canadian companies believe their employees do not know how to behave professionally in the workplace, citing concerns from oversharing personal information to substance use during work hours.
The survey, conducted by Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll, found that 50 per cent of companies say employees can be “too honest” at work, and 45 per cent believe workers don’t know when or where it is appropriate to be honest. Issues include sharing too much personal information about themselves or colleagues (59 per cent), criticizing the company or colleagues (59 per cent), gossiping or spreading rumours (53 per cent), and venting about colleagues (50 per cent).
Beyond honesty, hiring managers identified other unacceptable workplace behaviours: getting drunk during work hours (72 per cent), using recreational drugs during work hours (64 per cent), having an alcoholic beverage during work hours (62 per cent), using company resources for personal use (49 per cent), dating a manager or senior executive (43 per cent), and swearing at work (35 per cent).
“Being too honest or acting unprofessionally at work can have serious consequences,” the survey noted, with 62 per cent of companies saying it will damage an employee’s professional reputation.
Canadian job seekers—both unemployed and employed but looking for work—were even more likely to agree that employees at their company do not know when and where it is appropriate to be honest in the workplace (56 per cent). They also agreed more strongly on what constitutes unacceptable behaviour, with 77 per cent saying getting drunk during work hours is unacceptable and 50 per cent disapproving of dating a manager or senior executive.
When admitting to unprofessional behaviours they’ve engaged in at work, job seekers listed making personal calls or using social media (41 per cent), swearing (32 per cent), gossiping (25 per cent), crying (24 per cent), and using company resources for personal use (17 per cent).
The survey highlighted significant differences in perceptions between genders and generations. Female hiring managers were more likely than males to say it is unacceptable to share too much personal information (70 per cent vs. 50 per cent), gossip (60 per cent vs. 47 per cent), date a manager or senior executive (52 per cent vs. 36 per cent), or use recreational drugs during work hours (72 per cent vs. 57 per cent).
Similarly, Baby Boomers and Generation X hiring managers were more likely than Millennials and Generation Z to view certain behaviours as unacceptable: getting drunk at work (81 per cent vs. 66 per cent), taking recreational drugs during work hours (74 per cent vs. 55 per cent), using company resources for personal use (69 per cent vs. 43 per cent), and swearing in the workplace (44 per cent vs. 34 per cent).
Employers have noticed these generational differences, with 91 per cent of companies surveyed saying it is important for younger employees to learn when it is appropriate to share their honest opinions or thoughts in the workplace; 43 per cent strongly agreed.
“While workplaces have become more casual and honesty is highly valued, maintaining a level of professionalism is still essential,” said Bill Stoller, CEO of Express Employment International. “It’s about striking a balance where openness and respect coexist, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for everyone.”
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between May 16 and June 3, 2024, among 504 Canadian hiring decision-makers. The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between May 28 and June 10, 2024, among 505 adults aged 18 and older.
