INTERPERSONAL

MISCONDUCT IN THE
WORKPLACE
WHAT IT IS, HOW IT OCCURS AND
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO ABOUT IT
DECEMBER 2018

GLOBAL BUSINESS
ETHICS SURVEY TM
 This report is published by the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI).

All content contained in this report is for informational purposes only. ECI cannot accept responsibility for any errors
or omissions or any liability resulting from the use or misuse of any information presented in this report.

© 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative.

ISBN 978-1-5323-9981-7

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. For additional copies of this report,
permission and licensing contact ECI: 703-647-2185 or [email protected].

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ABOUT ECI
ABOUT ECI
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Ethics & Compliance Programs (HQPs). ECI provides leading ethics and compliance research and best
The Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) is a best practice community of organizations that
practices, networking opportunities and certification to its membership.
are committed to creating and sustaining high quality ethics & compliance programs. With
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and academics from all over the world to share techniques, research and, most of all,
exciting new ideas.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 ABOUT GBES

5 INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

6 WHAT INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT

HAPPENS

8 EMPLOYEES AND COMPANIES AT RISK

12 WILL MANAGEMENT KNOW IF THERE’S A PROBLEM?

13 HOW TO UNCOVER AND FIX PROBLEMS

14 HOW TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES WHO RAISE RED FLAGS

16 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

18 METHODOLOGY

19 OUR FUNDERS

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 3

 GBES IS THE WORLD’S
GLOBAL BUSINESS COMPREHENSIVE,
ETHICS SURVEY TM
CROSS-CULTURAL
SURVEY OF
WORKPLACE
ABOUT GBES BEHAVIOR.
Since 1994, the Ethics & Compliance Initiative Now in its 11th iteration, GBES
(ECI) has conducted a longitudinal, cross-sectional keeps your finger on the pulse
study of workplace conduct from the employee’s of the ethics and cultural climate
perspective. Participants are asked for input on across the globe.
such things as the strength of the culture in their
workplace, the instances of misconduct that they
Employees offer an invaluable
have observed, and what—if any—efforts are
perspective when it comes to E&C
underway in their organization to promote integrity.
perceptions, actions and behaviors
The data from the Global Business Ethics Survey
in the workplace. With each
(GBES) provides the international benchmark on
iteration of ECI’s Global Business
the state of ethics & compliance (E&C) in business.
Ethics Survey, we learn more from
Historically, ECI reported findings from the employees about the need for—and
research under two titles: The National Business the impact of—corporate efforts to
Ethics Survey (NBES), which provided measures implement E&C programs.
of US workplaces; and the Global Business Ethics
Survey (GBES), which expanded the dataset to
include input from employees around the world. In Visit ethics.org to download
2017, ECI updated both the US and global studies previous GBES research:
and combined the research under the GBES name. BUILDING COMPANIES WHERE
For more information about the study, to access VALUES AND ETHICAL CONDUCT
previous reports and to view the 2018 international MATTER
data, please visit our interactive website at
www.ethics.org/GBES. MEASURING THE IMPACT OF
E&C PROGRAMS
The focus of this report is on interpersonal
misconduct in the workplace, the factors that put THE STATE OF E&C IN THE
companies at risk and ultimately how to support
WORKPLACE
employees who may experience this type of GLOBAL BENCHMARK ON
misconduct in the workplace. This report is the WORKPLACE ETHICS
final of a four-part series in 2018, and it references
data from the 11th implementation of the GBES.
 INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT
IN THE WORKPLACE

A decade ago, companies made headlines for problems such as bribery, financial manipulation,
and fraud. The attention has shifted, though. For the past year, mistreatment of employees,
especially abusive behavior, sexual harassment and discrimination, has joined data privacy
as a critical issue of our time. #MeToo and #TimesUp have given a name to the larger effort
to unearth problems that have festered and to find a path towards safer more respectful
workplaces. Efforts to expose the issues have uncovered repetitive patterns of interpersonal
misconduct in organizations around the world.
Our heightened awareness of interpersonal misconduct and the toll it takes on individual
employees and organizations is a positive development. But more needs to be known about the
nature of the issues, the scope of problems, the factors that exacerbate problems and strategies
for fostering respectful workplaces.
As part of its Global Business Ethics Survey (GBES), the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI)
gathered data to inform the conversations taking place in workplaces and to suggest a
constructive path forward. As a result, this report provides answers to the following questions:

1. What does interpersonal misconduct (abusive behavior, sexual harassment, and/

or discrimination) look like in the modern workplace? What is the frequency of these
behaviors?

2. How does interpersonal misconduct occur in the workplace? What are the greatest risk
factors?

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 5

 WHAT INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT
LOOKS LIKE AND WHERE IT HAPPENS
Frequency and nature of abusive behavior, sexual
harassment and discrimination in the workplace
Data from the GBES revealed that more than one in four (27%) employees observed at least
one of the following types of interpersonal misconduct in their workplace. Further, 5% of
employees have observed all three types of misconduct within the last year.

ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR
Behavior that is abusive, intimidating, or creates a hostile work environment.

INTERPERSONAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, other verbal or physical
MISCONDUCT harassment of a sexual nature and/or offensive remarks about a person’s sex.
DEFINED
DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination against employees based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual
orientation, or similar categories.

In the United States, more than one in five (21%) employees observed abusive behavior in the
workplace. Observation of sexual harassment and discrimination were also widespread (12% for
each). To make matters worse, these were not minor, isolated incidents.
Most problems happened on multiple occasions (62%) and were deemed “serious” or
even “very serious” by observers (61%). Equally troubling, many of those perpetrating the
misconduct were middle or senior managers.
For discrimination in particular, employees indicated that most of the observed misconduct
(56%) was committed by those in leadership. Some industries seem to be particularly perilous
for employees; nearly two out of every five employees (39%) in the accommodation and food
services industry have observed at least one type of interpersonal misconduct, while fewer than
two in ten (17%) employees in professional services observed an incident of misconduct.

Some industries seem to be particularly perilous for employees;

39% in the accommodation and food services industry have
observed at least one type of interpersonal misconduct, compared
with 17% of employees in professional services.

6 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

 A LOOK AT MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

TYPE OF ABUSIVE OR SEXUAL

INTERPERSONAL INTIMIDATING HARASSMENT DISCRIMINATION
MISCONDUCT BEHAVIOR
OVERALL
OBSERVATION RATE 21% 12% 12%

FREQUENCY 17% 19%

24% 33%
n Single Incident 42% 44%
n Multiple Incidents
43% 41% 37%
n Ongoing Patterns

PERPETRATOR
1% 2% 3% 2% 3% 1%
n A Senior Leader
n A Middle Manager
n A First Line Supervisor 34% 25% 32% 23%
n A Non-mamagement
employee
16% 22% 16% 24%
n Someone you work
with who is outside
company
n Other

SEVERITY 3% 4% 9% 4%
n Very Serious 13% 12%
n Serious 29%
n Somewhat Serious 26% 22% 38% 23% 36%
n Not Very Serious 29% 24% 28%
n Not Serious At All

SPECIFIC TYPE OF ABUSIVE TYPE OF SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION

OBSERVATIONS BEHAVIOR HARASSMENT BASED ON:

Verbal 88% Unwelcome Race 58%

sexual 70%
Physical 24% comments Gender 49%
Online 21% Intentional Ethnicity 47%
physical contact 56%
Age 42%
Unwelcome
sexual advances 55% Sexual
or propositions Orientation 34%
Pressure to Disability 29%
engage in 32% Religion 26%
sexual activity
Preferential
treatment for 28%
submitting to
sexual conduct
 EMPLOYEES AND COMPANIES AT RISK

Some people act with integrity regardless of the situation they are placed in, and others will
always act out of self-interest. But the vast majority of people are somewhere in the middle,
guided by those around them. In ethical cultures, they will hold the line, and in ethically
compromised companies, they will violate norms as well. Company culture makes an
enormous difference in employee conduct.

THREE FACTORS PUT EMPLOYEES AND THEIR COMPANIES AT PARTICULAR

RISK FOR INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT:

Poor leadership that fails to model

1 ethical behavior and to hold employees
accountable for misconduct.

A focus on performance without concern

2 for how it is achieved.

Organizational change, such as layoffs,

3 transitions in management, and expansion
to new markets.

8 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

Risk Factor #1: Poor Ethical Leadership
Leaders set the tone and the priorities. Employees are
keenly aware of how leaders conduct themselves and
what type of behaviors they value. Companies with
IS YOUR COMPANY
“weak cultures,” where leaders fail to model ethical AT RISK?
behavior or hold employees accountable, have higher
rates of reported interpersonal misconduct. The quality Workplaces where employees see
of a company’s culture—whether it is strong, weak, or the leaders bend the rules, overlook
somewhere in between—has a profound impact on the misdeeds, or treat others in disrespectful,
likelihood that interpersonal misconduct will occur. inappropriate ways are breeding grounds
for toxic interpersonal conduct.
ACCOUNTABILITY
When Ethical Leadership
✓✓ Top managers would not be held
is Lacking, Employees Are accountable if they were caught
at Greater Risk violating my company’s standards of
conduct.
✓✓ My direct supervisor would not be held
EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN ORGANIZATIONS accountable if caught violating my
company’s standards of conduct.
WITH WEAK LEADERSHIP CULTURES
✓✓ Non-management employees would
CHARACTERIZED BY POOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND not be held accountable if they
MODELING OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOR ARE: were caught violating my company’s
standards of conduct.

15% vs. 69% SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE

✓✓ Overall, top management does not set
3.6x more likely to observe a good example of ethical behavior.
abusive behavior. ✓✓ Overall, my direct supervisor does
not set a good example of ethical
behavior.

9% vs. 41% ✓✓ Overall, my coworkers/peers do

not set a good example of ethical
3.6x more likely to observe behavior.
discrimination.

10% vs. 31%

2.1x more likely to observe
sexual harassment.

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 9

Risk Factor #2: Performance, Not Process Focused
Employees pay attention to what leadership prioritizes
and what it rewards; they respond to incentives—or
lack thereof. If good behavior goes unacknowledged
IS YOUR COMPANY
and success is measured in business outcomes alone, AT RISK?
employees quickly learn that ethical behavior is not
valued or important within the organizational culture. All companies care about achieving
business goals, but some companies
focus solely on success, forgetting about
the importance of how that success is
achieved.
When Management
Does Not Make Ethical ✓✓ Performance goals are not reasonable
Conduct a Business and can only be achieved by
compromising standards.
Priority, Interpersonal ✓✓ Employees are promoted based on
Misconduct Rises results alone, and conduct is not a
consideration.
✓✓ Company rewards and incentives
focus on business objectives alone.
EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN ORGANIZATIONS ✓✓ Ethical conduct goes unrecognized
and unrewarded.
WHERE ETHICAL CONDUCT GOES UNREWARDED
AND IS A LOW PRIORITY ARE:

4.2x
5% vs. 26%
more likely to observe abusive behavior.

4.0x
5% vs. 25%
more likely to observe sexual harassment.

2.2x
12% vs. 38%
more likely to observe discrimination.

10 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

Risk Factor #3: Organizational Change
When an organization is in transition or change, there
is an increased likelihood of interpersonal misconduct.
Organizational changes, such as layoffs, management
IS YOUR COMPANY
changes, and expansion into new markets often cause AT RISK?
uncertainty, stress, and conflicting values and priorities.
Problematic interpersonal conduct often follows, and Organizational change puts employees
employees suffer as a result. at risk. Risk is cumulative and increases
when an organization experiences more
of the following at one time:
Employee Observations ✓✓ Expansion into new countries and/or
markets
of Misconduct Increase ✓✓ Merger with another organization
with Organizational ✓✓ Acquisition of another organization
Change ✓✓ Acquisition by another organization
✓✓ Changes in top management/
leadership
✓✓ Layoffs, restructuring, and/or
downsizing
✓✓ Cost-cutting measures (e.g.,
EMPLOYEES AT ORGANIZATIONS IN SIGNIFICANT compensation/benefits reductions,
adjusted work schedules)
TRANSITION ARE:

6% vs. 29%
3.8x
more likely to observe discrimination.

3.5x
6% vs. 27%
more likely to observe sexual harassment.

2.5x
11% vs. 39%
more likely to observe abusive behavior.

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 11

 WILL MANAGEMENT KNOW IF THERE’S A
PROBLEM?
According to the GBES, about one in three of those
who observe interpersonal misconduct do not
report it—leaving problems unsolved and putting MANY INCIDENTS
employees and companies at risk. Raising reporting OF MISCONDUCT
rates for interpersonal misconduct can be particularly
difficult. A report by the Equal Employment Opportunity
GO UNREPORTED
Commission (EEOC) Select Task Force on the Study
of Harassment in the Workplace1 describes how
harassment claims are frequently ignored and trivialized According to the GBES,
and how the victim often ends up being blamed for ~ 1 IN 3 INCIDENTS
causing problems. of interpersonal misconduct are NOT
REPORTED
While the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have
drawn attention to workplace harassment, it is still
extremely difficult for victims to bring forward such
REPORTING RATES FOR
claims. Increased reporting of interpersonal misconduct INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT:
will require focused efforts to provide support
and reassurance to potential reporters that their DISCRIMINATION
allegations will be investigated without repercussions.
It is particularly important that the company has a
36%
solid track record of handling claims of interpersonal
misconduct with diligence and sensitivity. ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR
35%
There are several critical areas that provide the
foundation for employees to feel secure in sharing their SEXUAL HARASSMENT
experiences of workplace interpersonal misconduct.
30%
ƒƒ Employees need to believe that the organizational
culture values employees speaking up about any
type of concern.
THE MEDIAN RATE
ƒƒ Leaders who continually display transparency and FOR ALL TYPES OF
authenticity go a long way in creating a context in MISCONDUCT IS 30%.
which employees feel that the company is open to
sharing not only the good, but also shortcomings
and failures.
This needs to be further reinforced by supervisors that employees trust and who model a
commitment to ethical behavior. The following section provides more details on these concepts.

While the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have drawn attention to

workplace harassment it is still extremely difficult for victims to bring
forward such claims.

1. https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/task_force/harassment/report.cfm#_Toc453686298

12 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

 HOW TO UNCOVER AND FIX PROBLEMS

Step 1: Supervisors show their

commitment to ethics.
Research by ECI has repeatedly shown that when employees
report misconduct, they most often report it to their
supervisors. Unfortunately, not all supervisors routinely model WHEN SUPERVISORS ARE
and promote the importance of ethics by their words and
actions. Analysis by ECI reveals that employees who trust COMMITTED TO ETHICS,
their supervisors and see them demonstrate a commitment
to ethics are also more likely to report the interpersonal
EMPLOYEES ARE MORE LIKELY
misconduct when observed. If supervisors want employees TO REPORT MISCONDUCT
to feel comfortable reporting to them, they need to
intentionally demonstrate that they care about ethics and THEY OBSERVE
about employees.

Step 2: Nurture a speak up culture.

By their actions and reactions, leaders (at all levels) make it
clear whether candor is valued or seen as troublemaking. In
strong ethical cultures, transparency is valued, employees WHEN EMPLOYEES FEEL
feel comfortable raising concerns, and bad news is not swept
under the rug. Not surprisingly, if employees feel cared about, SUPPORTED THEY ARE MORE
heard, and supported when it comes to business issues LIKELY TO SPEAK UP AND
that arise, they are more likely to bring up ethics concerns
as well. To encourage reporting, leaders at all levels of REPORT MISCONDUCT
the organization should develop an atmosphere where
employees feel comfortable raising concerns.

Step 3: Be transparent.
Few enjoy delivering bad news or taking responsibility for
things that go wrong. But leaders who are committed to
transparency foster more positive, respectful workplaces. WHEN THERE IS TRANSPARENCY
When leaders share information about wrongdoing at their
company and talk about the consequences of engaging EMPLOYEES ARE MORE LIKELY
in misconduct, it sends a powerful positive message to TO ALERT MANAGEMENT WHEN
employees. Employees who believe their leaders are
transparent about misconduct in their organization are more INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT
likely to report misconduct. Leaders who want employees to
share difficult truths with them should model a commitment OCCURS
to telling the truth, especially when it is difficult to do so.

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 13

 HOW TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES WHO RAISE
RED FLAGS
Reporting ensures that managers are aware of problems and can address them. Any effort to
increase reporting must take into account what happens after the report, including the potential
repercussions for the reporter. Retaliation is problematic for a number of reasons: it introduces
another layer of misconduct; it discourages future reporting and employees’ trust in the reporting
process; and, worst of all, when retaliation occurs it serves as a punishment for an employee who
has chosen to do the right thing.
Because of the nature of interpersonal misconduct, the risk of retaliation against reporters can be
heightened. The data shows that:
ƒƒ 44% of those who reported sexual harassment experienced retaliation;
ƒƒ 40% of those who reported abusive behavior experienced retaliation; and,
ƒƒ 51% of those who reported discrimination experienced retaliation.
According to the GBES, overall, 40% of employees indicated that they experienced retaliation
after reporting misconduct (based on the 23 types of misconduct assessed).
Reducing perceptions of retaliation can be difficult but there are concrete steps that
organizations can take:

Step 1: When it comes to success, focus on the process,

not just the outcome.
In some organizations, winning and achieving success are all that matter and employees
learn to bend or even break the rules in order to succeed. In such cultures, those who report
interpersonal misconduct are more likely to experience retaliation as a result. On the other hand,
in companies that promote reasonable goals and reinforce the importance of succeeding the
right way, reporters are less vulnerable. Although performance goals and metrics are important,
companies should set reasonable goals and emphasize that the means of attaining success is
as important as the outcome.

59% 58% 60%

43%
34%
RETALIATION INCREASES IN WORKPLACE 13%
26%
18% 20%
ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE OUTCOMES- SEXUAL ABUSIVE DISCRIMINATION
ORIENTED (PERFORMANCE FOCUSED) HARASSMENT BEHAVIOR

RATHER THAN PROCESS ORIENTED n PROCESS-ORIENTED

n MODERATELY OUTCOMES-ORIENTED
n OUTCOMES-ORIENTED

14 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

Step 2: Give additional support when managers are
involved.
By reporting alleged misconduct, any reporter puts him or herself at risk of retaliation. But
those who report on the misdeeds of managers are particularly vulnerable and at heightened
risk of experiencing retaliation. On average, reports of interpersonal misconduct involving
senior leaders are 2.6x more likely to result in retaliation than those involving non-management
employees. To provide additional protection to those who report when management is
involved:
1) Regularly remind employees of the ethics related resources and supports the organization
has in place (e.g., code of conduct, hotlines, etc.);
2) Establish systems to connect and follow-up with reporters at regular intervals; and
3) Train managers so they are attuned to behavior that could be construed as being
retaliatory.

RETALIATION RISES ALONG WITH THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL OF THE PERPRETRATOR

74%
69%
66%
48%
46% 45%

32% 43% 44%

17%

A NON- A FIRST LINE A MIDDLE A SENIOR

MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR MANAGER LEADER
EMPLOYEE

n SEXUAL HARASSMENT
n ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR
n DISCRIMINATION

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 15

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Workplaces should be characterized by respect, where each person can thrive in an environment
safe from discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse. Unfortunately, interpersonal misconduct
is a common feature in far too many companies, with more than one-quarter of workers observing
such misbehavior in their workplace. Companies need to—and can—do better.
Analysis of GBES data reveal five strategies that will promote safer, more respectful workplaces,
reducing risk for employees and organizations:

1 Make ethics a leadership priority.

2 Focus on achieving success the right way.

3 Be attuned to the impact of organizational

change.

4 Nurture a speak up culture.

5 Be transparent.

16 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

 STRATEGIES FOR MORE RESPECTFUL WORKPLACES
Use the checklist below to guide and incorporate actions that will contribute to an organizational culture of respect.

☐☐Make discussion of values a regular part of company-wide meetings

and communications.
1
☐☐Ensure that ethical conduct and leadership is a highlighted area in
performance reviews at all levels of management.
Make ethics a
leadership priority. ☐☐Institute programs, e.g., case studies, to promote regular dialogue
about values between supervisors and their reports.

☐☐Evaluate business goals to determine whether they are reasonably

attainable without compromising business and personal standards.

2 ☐☐Develop a system for employees to give candid feedback about

goals and their feasibility.

Focus on achieving ☐☐Examine performance review documents and processes to ensure

that ethical conduct is a stated expectation, especially for promotion
success the right way and advancement.
☐☐ Create reward and incentive programs for ethical conduct.

☐☐Before expanding into new countries or markets, assess where values

may misalign and proactively develop strategies to address issues.
3
☐☐Review policies and values statements of newly acquired
organizations.
Be attuned to the
impact of
☐☐Be particularly mindful and proactive about communications during
times of added stress.
organizational change. ☐☐Encourage managers to regularly check in with their direct reports,
keeping them informed and creating a vehicle for dialogue should
issues arise.

☐☐Create multiple formal and informal avenues for employees to present

ideas and raise issues, whether they be business or ethics concerns.
4
☐☐Respond in a timely manner to questions and concerns.
Nurture a speak ☐☐Develop and publicize formal systems for checking in with employees
who report misconduct, providing protection from retaliation.
up culture.

☐☐Foster an open, learning mindset by regularly addressing “What we’re

doing well” and “What we’ve learned we need to do better.”
5
☐☐Encourage leaders at all levels to discuss problems and learning that
occurred as a result.
Be transparent.
☐☐Communicate about issues and the steps the company has taken to
address problems, issues and ethical misconduct.

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 17

METHODOLOGY

The GBES, a biennial longitudinal study, identifies changes in the levels and types of observed
misconduct in business organizations. It also measures employee patterns in reporting observed
misconduct, perceptions of leaders, strength of ethical cultures and the extent to which retaliation
is an issue in the workplace.
In December 2017, ECI continued its study of the US workforce and collected data from over
5,000 employees. ECI began its longitudinal study in 1994, and has since surveyed over 39,000
US employees.
Employees were randomly selected to attain a sample representative of employees in each
country. All survey respondents were:
ƒƒ 18 years of age or older;
ƒƒ Currently employed;
ƒƒ Working at least 20 hours per week for their primary employer; and
ƒƒ From companies with a staff of at least two or more.
ECI established the survey questions and sampling methodology, Precision Sample managed
data collection for the US survey. ECI based its analysis on a framework provided by the Federal
Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in-house expertise
in defining elements of ethics programs, culture and outcomes.
The sampling error for the US data presented in this report is +/-1.4% at the 95% confidence level.

18 © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative | INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE

 OUR FUNDERS

We are grateful to the following companies whose generosity has made this report possible:

INTERPERSONAL MISCONDUCT IN THE WORKPLACE | © 2018 Ethics & Compliance Initiative 19

ECI 2019 EVENTS
JANUARY 2019 ECI FELLOWS MEETING MANAGING ETHICS IN ORGANIZATIONS (MEO)
Leading E&C June 10 – 14, 2019
January 9 – 10, 2019 Boston, MA
Gaylord National Harbor, MD For over 20 years the Managing Ethics in Organizations
Leading the E&C function in an organization is no easy task. (MEO) course has provided an intensive course for rising
Our January Fellows meeting is designed to inspire and E&C leaders, taught by the “who’s who” of E&C. Many past
inform you as chief visionary, strategist, and manager of your participants have gone on to serve as a Chief Ethics &
function. We will also explore ways that you can enhance Compliance Officer or similar leadership position. Join us
your career and broaden your personal impact. this year as we celebrate the retirement of Mike Hoffman,
the namesake of our partner organization for this event (the
Consider sending: (Members-only) Senior E&C
practitioners, CECOs, Chief Compliance Officers W. Michael Hoffman Center for Business Ethics at Bentley
University).
EUROPEAN BUSINESS ETHICS FORUM (EBEF) Consider sending: Directors, managers, and investigators
in E&C, all rising E&C leaders, aspiring CECOs
January 30 – February 2, 2019
Paris, France JULY 2019 ECI FELLOWS MEETING
For the 16th year, this 2-day Forum will bring together those
Why We Do What We Do: Exploring the
who are responsible for the ethics, compliance or business
conduct programs within their organizations. Participants
World of Behavioral Ethics
share with their peers practical information, experiences July 10 – 11, 2019
relating to current best practices and some of the challenges Gaylord National Harbor, MD
in doing business ethically around the globe. A new field of scientific study has emerged, seeking to
Consider sending: Senior E&C leaders, Corporate Social understand how people actually behave when facing an
Responsibility leaders ethical dilemma. In our July Fellows meeting we will hear from
leading researchers in this exciting new area, and apply their
SPRING 2019 BEST PRACTICE FORUM insights to your E&C program.
Technology in E&C Consider sending: (Members-only) Senior E&C leaders,
CECOs
February 27 – 28, 2019
Phoenix, AZ FALL 2019 BEST PRACTICE FORUM
Technology is changing the way we live and work. How can
you make the most of it to advance your E&C program? This
Preventing Retaliation in the Workplace
event is designed to equip you to utilize new technologies in November 5 – 6, 2019
your organization, even if you have a shoestring budget. Atlanta, GA
Consider sending: Technology-facing E&C practitioners, It’s the perennial problem – the more an organization is
E&C team members in digital media, training and strategic successful in encouraging employees to raise concerns,
planning, CTOs, IT the more retaliation occurs in the workplace. Eventually,
IMPACT 2019 employees’ fear of retaliation has a silencing effect. This
forum is designed to be an in-depth facilitated town-hall
April 30 – May 2, 2019 discussion to identify the causes of workplace retaliation,
E2C Live to be offered Monday, April 29 followed by conversation and best-practice sharing to identify
Dallas, TX solutions. We’ll be joined by a panel of thought leaders
whose expertise will help inform the conversation.
Join your peers for the ultimate industry best practice event.
Consider sending: E&C helpline team, E&C leaders, HR
You will learn from renowned keynote speakers, and leverage
team, E&C investigators and advisors
the experiences of your peers in breakout sessions & hands-
on workshops. Return to your organization with a toolkit filled
with resources that you can use to lead initiatives that will
improve the quality of your E&C program.
Consider sending: All levels of E&C practitioners, members
of HR, senior E&C leaders, compliance and risk
Build your culture
of compliance
With sexual harassment and discrimination becoming an increasingly prominent part of our
working environments it’s now, more than ever, essential to provide your employees with the
tools and knowledge to make the right decisions.

Our Thomson Reuters Compliance Learning courses deliver engaging online training to
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