Factors Contributing to Employee Workplace Deviant Behaviors in Public Sector Organizations

Abstract

Workplace deviant behavior is a long-standing issue particularly in public sector organizations. This critical issue has become burdensome, as it has enormous costs and implications for the organizations. The objective of this study is to examine the organizational factors that influence the deviant behavior of employees working in public sector organizations in Malaysia. Online questionnaire was used to collect the required data from the respondents who were selected using convenience sampling technique. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, factor analysis, reliability, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression Analysis. The findings of this study revealed that ethical work climate has a negative influence on workplace deviant behavior whereas organizational justice, trust and organizational support show no significant relationship with the dependent variable. Thus, by ensuring high ethical work climate in the organization through practicing leadership by example and implementing Islamic work practices, among others, workplace deviant behaviors can be controlled. If these behaviors persist, corrective actions must be taken thoroughly and promptly, or it can affect the organization as a whole and there will be serious consequences of these behaviors. The practical and research implications of the study are further discussed in the paper.