Perceived workplace fairness, ethical leadership, demographics, and ethical behaviors

Abstract

This investigation examines the impacts of perceived workplace fairness, ethical leadership, and workers’ demographics on ethical behaviors within Nigeria’s public service. A sample was taken from ten local government areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. However, this investigation has utilized a survey study approach, where the researcher randomly dispersed questionnaires. Out of 500 questionnaires distributed, 452 were suitable for research and analyzed with the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS 27). This paper suggests that female civil servants exhibit more ethical behaviors than their male counterparts (Lu & Lu, 2010). Also, older civil servants with higher educational qualifications, who are also at the highest job level, exhibited more ethical behaviors. This paper further established that perceived workplace fairness and ethical leadership significantly and positively impact ethical behavior within Nigeria’s public service sector (De Schrijver Delbeke, Maesschalck, & Pleysier, 2010; Meyer, Sison, & Ferrero, 2019). Therefore, state governments should ensure good and sufficient communication amongst workers and managers in identifying and tackling the unfairness between employees’ dedications/contributions and their rewards. They should also always establish an employee-fairness policy that suggests treating employees equitably, inspiring increasing ethical behaviors. In addition, state governments and other public organizations should groom leaders that inspire and exemplify ethical behaviors.