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Online Feature Articles for Construction Professionals - Engineers
Managing Staff Integrity –
Factors Leading to Integrity Problems
There can be a number of reasons causing staff members' breach of laws and regulations.
Lack of vigilance
Staff who have a shallow understanding of the legal or administrative requirements can easily succumb to temptations and inadvertently commit an offence. Also, staff lacking vigilance in maintaining a healthy working relationship with contractors/suppliers may be prone to favouritism or conflict of interest situations.
Lack of fortitude
Staff who find themselves in financial difficulty because of squandering, investment failure or imprudent financial management may feel cornered and in lack of fortitude to resist temptations in times of adversity. Out of desperation and thinking that they have no alternatives, they may easily fall into corruption traps.
Lack of help
It is quite common for staff to socialise with contractors/suppliers in order to maintain a smooth business relationship. However, staff may easily feel helpless and at a loss when they have to deal with advantages offered by contractors/suppliers or cope with other "grey areas" on their own while being away from the office or during business trips.
Lack of the sense of compliance
Staff with lax attitude towards contract compliance may be prone to exercising discretion to allow deviation from contract requirements, particularly those related to documentation of works progress. Such negligence may give rise to opportunities for unscrupulous contractors to cover up substandard works.
Lack of integrity
Staff who have ill motives in achieving personal gains at the expense of the interests of the organisation tend to circumvent internal guidelines or even defy the laws deliberately. Damage done by such staff is the most serious and this is also the worst type of situation encountered.
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