Truth Equals Trust: The Advantages of Honesty in the Workplace

As public sector employers search for an edge in the battle for top talent, one tool that could be useful for any agency’s hiring team is one of the simplest to put into action.

A new survey finds that nearly all job seekers value honesty in the workplace, with 96% of more than 1,000 adults polled saying it’s at least somewhat important that they can be honest with new managers. Another 36% said they believe open communication is “absolutely critical.”

It’s not exactly surprising that workers value truthfulness in a would-be employer. Being open and honest is certainly “the right thing to do” in any setting, and everyone appreciates transparency. But showing such virtuousness can be advantageous for agencies in a number of ways, including improved morale and increased employee loyalty.

For example, 89% of job seekers surveyed said that nurturing a work environment where employees and managers can be honest with each other is crucial for an organization’s success.

Nearly the same number (87%) feel that employees being honest with their managers is critical to having a productive workforce, and that employers stand to realize lower turnover rates and increased retention by promoting a work environment that embraces openness. And, a significant majority of respondents (82%) said they would be more loyal to an organization if they felt comfortable being candid with their supervisor.

Job seekers also want to see employers provide managers and employees alike with the resources they need to encourage honesty around the office. Ninety-one percent of respondents indicated it’s at least somewhat important that organizations offer resources and training designed to help supervisors respond appropriately in the event a direct report comes to them for help with a personal issue. And 86% of job seekers believe it is at least somewhat important that employers make training available that helps employees manage personal matters so that it does not affect their work.

“The foundation of any good relationship is trust, which is no different in the workplace,” said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO, in a statement. “Similar to other leadership training, managers can significantly benefit from structured programs that emphasize healthy communication and the ability to handle challenging conversations.”