All interviewees were over the age of 18, employed at least 20 hours per week and located across the contiguous 48 states. Experts in organizational ethics assessment and research served as advisors to the ERC on this project, which was developed by the ERC's Research Analyst Joshua Joseph. Mr. Joseph noted that the ERC last conducted a similar national survey in 1994. He pointed out that while the 2000 survey asks core questions that can be benchmarked against 1994 survey data, many new ethics questions have been added. For example, the 2000 survey looks at ethics in stable companies, as distinct from those that are going through a major transition, such as a merger, acquisition or restructuring.
Managers consistently hold more positive perceptions.
The ERC's 2000 survey found that U.S. businesses are now paying increasing attention to workplace ethics, as compared to the ERC's 1994 Ethics in American Business study. He pointed out that one in every three says they have observed misconduct within the past year, most notably lying to employees, customers, vendors and the public, withholding needed information, and abusive or intimidating behavior toward employees. ERC Survey of American Workers Types of Workplace Misconduct Observed Percentage of Surveyed Employees Voicing Key Concerns on Issues Lying to employees, customers, vendors or the public. More than two in five employees who witnessed some form of misconduct did not report it. Moreover, more than 40 percent of workers who file complaints about misconduct say they are disappointed by management responses.