Providing employees with coffee could lead to more ethical behavior in the workplace, according to new research by business professors at the University of Washington, the University of Arizona and the University of North Carolina.
Caffeine can help sleep-deprived employees bolster their ability to control their behavior and resist unethical temptations, according to the research, which suggests that the equivalent of just one large cup of coffee is enough to trigger a difference.
David Welsh, organisational behavior professor, University of Washington explained, “When you’re sleep deprived at work, it’s much easier to simply go along with unethical suggestions from your boss because resistance takes effort and you’re already worn down. However, we found that caffeine can give sleep-deprived individuals the extra energy needed to resist unethical behavior.”
The research suggests that caffeine can help employees resist by strengthening their self-control and willpower when they’re exhausted and with Hong Kong’s notorious working culture of long hours spent behind the desk, it might be time for HR to put the kettle on.
Welsh added, “Employers need to be recognise that today’s employees are working longer hours and getting less sleep. Establishing an ethical code of conduct might not be sufficient if employees are too worn down to align their behavior with organisational standards.”
What might HR do to help tired workers avoid these ethical lapses?
- Provide caffeine in the workplace
- Reduce long hours with scheduling, overtime restrictions and frequent breaks
- Avoid scheduling tasks that require a great deal of self-control when looming deadlines make long hours unavoidable
- Provide workplace napping and sleep awareness training
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
