We've all been there, right? You're just not feeling it today, but you have to fake it to make it through the work day.
Well, a Michigan State study suggests that fake smiling might make you more apt to unethical behavior.
These unethical behaviors can include: dragging out work to get overtime pay, hiding or being dishonest about errors made on the job, passing blame to other coworkers and even claiming credit for someone else's work.
According to Brent Scott, a College of Business professor, the "emotional labor" of putting on a happy face in front of customers or coworkers is what can cause underhanded behavior.
“They feel inauthentic … when people feel fake, they act in more unethical ways," Scott said. “Surface acting overwhelmingly is bad for people. It’s more depleting; it’s more stressful; it creates feelings of dissonance between what they’re displaying and what they’re feeling, which is not pleasant to experience."
As for solutions to this issue, the study suggests employers create environments that cultivate more positive, stress-free work spaces.
“Positive emotions are induced by favorable events and situations, so to the extent that you can increase the frequency of those, then you would create an environment where the displays are going to come naturally," Scott said. "Fair treatment; making sure that recognition is provided; collegiality; support from coworkers; and overall a positive climate in general.”
Read the full study below:
Fakesmiles Press Release by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
