When work feels like family, employees keep quiet about wrongdoing

Abstract

Many companies seek to promote a family-like atmosphere to foster loyalty and collegial bonding. But researchers found that one potential downside is that employees who work in a family-like culture are less likely to blow the whistle on a colleague’s misbehavior. To reap the benefits of promoting strong bonds without the costs, organizations may need to take extra steps, including ensuring their culture values fairness over loyalty and protects victims, and framing reporting a transgression as an opportunity to provide help to a fellow employee.