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A shocking 56.5% of engineering businesses have experienced inappropriate behaviour from their employees in the workplace, with 42.6% having to fire someone as a result. That is according to new research from CV-Library, the UK independent job board.
The study, which surveyed over 300 UK employers, also found that 27.7% of engineering bosses have had to give a verbal warning to a member of staff, while 10.6% had to suspend someone.
When asked what they believe is the most inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, employers cite the following:
- Being physically aggressive and/or confrontational – 78.8%
- Turning up to work drunk – 75.3%
- Using illegal substances – 71.8%
- Getting angry with colleagues – 18.8%
- Sending inappropriate emails – 14.1%
- Flirting with clients/customers – 8.2%
- Turning up hungover – 5.9%
- Flirting with colleagues – 5.9%
- Complaining about workload – 4.7%
- Text on their personal phone – 4.7%
- Tell inappropriate jokes – 3.5%
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments:“Inappropriate behaviour from your employees should not be tolerated in the workplace. You want to maintain a professional and mature atmosphere in your company, and this simply cannot be achieved if your staff are acting inappropriately.”
According to the data, a staggering 96.5% of industry employers believe these are sackable offences.
Biggins continues: “Unfortunately, our findings reveal a shockingly high number of engineers have been inappropriate in the workplace, possibly due to poor employee education. Saying that, there are some actions, such as turning up intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances, which are simply inexcusable.”
“Educate your employees on what is deemed as inappropriate at work to avoid any grey areas. Their induction is the perfect time for this. After all, in a time of low unemployment and skills shortages, your company can’t afford to lose its professional reputation.”
