Organizations need to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of behavioral risk of all employees. Doing so allows an organization to manage risk in a constructive way, according to a study published by SHL, an Atlanta-based talent management company. The study claims 1 in 8 managers and professionals globally represent a high risk to their companies. The risk comes from lower-quality decision-making and poorer communication. Moving up the corporate ladder shows a decrease in risk level: 1 in 15 executives pose a high risk for their companies. Conversely, 1 in 7 lower-level employees, such as team leaders and individual contributors, provide the highest potential for risky behavior. Finally, 1 in 8 frontline staff represent a high risk to their companies because of counterproductive behaviors, such as lower compliance and attention to detail, less of a commitment to a company and reluctance to working with a team. These counterproductive behaviors can lead to more errors in the workplace or damage a brand’s name through poor customer service. SHL recommends businesses commit to enforcing ethical standards and developing effective channels for employees to comfortably communicate ethical infractions to their superiors.
