You might want to keep an eye on your co-workers. It's getting
mean out there, as a new survey suggests snooping, sabotaging and squealing
is becoming common in the workplace.
The Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. Survey, which quizzed more than 3,000 men and
women worldwide, reported that nearly half of us have taken a peek at a
colleague's pay stub.
The report also says 15% of male and 10% of female Canadian respondents
admit they've sabotaged a co-worker.
One respondent named Climber said, “I would do anything for a promotion over
my colleague. I fantasize about ruining her reputation daily.”
Bosses should also look out, because 23% of men and women say they've
revealed a manager's mistakes to their superiors hoping to further their own
careers.
“We're part of an information-obsessed society” said Michelle Renaud, a
senior manager of public relations for Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. and a
co-author of the report. “We are programmed right now to look for the dirt.”
Renaud says social media websites play a big role in fueling our obsession
with knowing each other's business because people are putting information
out there and other people have access to it.
“Whether it’s looking at a colleague’s pay stub or snooping through your
partner’s personal belongings, we want the truth, even if it hurts,” she
said.
In the Harlequin Romance Report 2010: Tempted, it seems women are more
devious than men. When it comes to looking at pay stubs, 56% of women admit
to doing it, while just 39% of men say they've done it.
“It made me look around,” Renaud admitted to QMI Agency, adding this
statistic was one of the most shocking to researchers.
As well, 21% of women say it OK to embellish their resume, but for men, just
14% say they'd take a few liberties.
But while women are more likely to lie on a resume, 15% of men admit to
taking credit for someone else's work in order to get ahead, versus 8% of
women. As well, one in five male respondents (20%) and 14% of female
respondents admitted to sabotaging a co-worker out of jealousy.
While the survey didn't look at whether people were sorry for their actions,
Renaud said the survey is often a chance for people to get things “off their
chest” and fess up to some not-so-nice actions.
“I bet some people do feel remorseful,” she said.
