Why hire people with high integrity at work?

What characterises a person of high integrity?

An individual with high and strong integrity acts honestly, sticks to the company’s values and internal guidelines, and respects colleagues’ and customers’ right to privacy. They have a strong awareness of the importance of information security and carefully follow laws such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). This creates a safe and respectful working environment where everyone feels valued.

Why is privacy at work important?

Integrity in the workplace means that both employers and employees follow ethical guidelines and laws.

For employers, this means creating a culture that protects employees’ privacy in the workplace. This includes clear guidelines on issues such as data protection, information security and the handling of sensitive data, as well as ethics in recruitment and the employee’s right to consent and privacy.

If employers fail to uphold these standards, they risk legal consequences, such as fines for breaching the GDPR. Other laws that work to protect individuals’ privacy at work include the Swedish Work Environment Act (AML), the Employment Protection Act (LAS) and the CCTV Act.

An employee with high integrity protects both the employer and customer trust by acting in accordance with both laws and company values, guidelines and policies.

Consequences of lack of privacy in the workplace

Hiring people with a lack of integrity can lead to major risks. Here are some examples of problems that can arise:

Lack of data protection

If employees do not handle personal data correctly, the risk of data breaches and leaks increases.

Loss of trust

Companies associated with poor data management or unethical behaviour risk rapidly losing the trust of both customers and employees.

Legal consequences

Misuse of personal data or breach of labour law rules may lead to legal disputes and sanctions.

How to ensure integrity in the recruitment process

To ensure integrity at work and at the recruitment stage, employers can use a range of practices that promote ethical behaviour in candidates:

Ethical guidelines in job adverts: highlighting the company’s values and the importance of integrity in the job advert can attract candidates who share these values.
Structured interviews: Structured interviews involve standardised questions to ensure fair assessment and better predictions of the candidate’s future performance.
Reference checking: Take references from previous employers and ask about the candidate’s ability to act responsibly and ethically.
Background checks: These can help to verify a candidate’s previous experience and ensure that they are a trustworthy and ethical person.

According to a survey conducted by Validata, 82% of respondents believe that companies should do more to curb inappropriate behaviour among employees. Two-thirds of respondents believe that companies can reduce the risks of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace by doing better checks on (new) employees.

What background checks should you perform?

To minimise the risks of legal and ethical problems, it is important to carry out the right background checks. Here are some that may be relevant for you as an employer.

What do the checks include?

Criminal record check: identify if the candidate has any previous criminal history.
Credit control: Check financial accountability, especially important for positions with financial responsibility.
Verification of education and diplomas: Verify the educational background of the candidate to ensure the qualifications.
Identity check: make sure that the applicant is who they say they are.

Find out more about background checks and how exactly they can help your organisation find the right employees.

Contact our sales team

Why chose Validata for background checks?

Hiring people with high integrity is crucial to creating a safe and secure working environment. It’s not just about complying with laws and guidelines, but also about building a company culture that emphasises ethics, respect and responsibility. By conducting thorough background checks, you as an employer can feel confident that you are making an informed choice that benefits both the company and your employees.

Contact our sales team