Abstract: | This study envisages deviant employees ’ work place behaviors of private commercial banks of Ethiopia.
Banking industry is most regulated and highly service oriented, that is why the researcher is interested to
study deviant employees ’ work place behavior. The study aimed to investigate the availability of deviant
employees ’ work place behavior and identify the nature of deviant behaviors. It was also the researcher’s
intention to examine how employees commit such acts and to determine what challenges private commercial
banks faced in this regard. The research is exploratory and descriptive type. The methodologies used to
undertake the study was qualitative and quantitative, primary and secondary data. Stratified sampling
technique was employed to collect primary information. This was stratified into two groups, private
commercial banks that are established and registered by National Bank of Ethiopia before and after five
years. Then three banks from both strata was selected using simple random sampling method in order to
avoid bias. Subsequently, those banks that are cooperative and supportive were selected for the study; there
are namely: Cooperative bank of Oromia S. Co, Nib International Bank S. Co, and Addis International Bank
S. Co. The study was conducted in the head ofices of each bank. The study was conducted on 42% (231) of
the head ofice employees of the banks that were selected randomly from the total of 550 employees. The
research adapted the survey research method, that involved direct observations, questionnaire survey of the
stafs, interview with relevant employees, and focus group discussion. Even though most of the deviant
behaviors are not observed in most of the employees of the private banks, it is likely to increase and occur
anytime. It is dangerous and can afect others in the near future. The purpose of this paper is to examine the
presence of diferent types of negative deviant workplace behaviors and its impact on the organizations –
those that violate organizational norms, policies or internal rules. The qualitative data analysis of the study
focused on grouping similar/identical problems which have repetitive nature. There are deviant employees’
behaviors observed in private commercial banks of Ethiopia. The majority of these behaviors are caused
due to inequitable treatment (injustice) and abusive supervision. The paper will be important input and
guide for future human resource policy development and enforcement such as code of ethics. The study
provides a great benefit and importance in terms of knowledge, development and enhancing productivity if
solutions are implemented properly. It can also be used as a reference for future studies. Due to a cultural
issue and the sensitivity of the study subject, the researcher used ways to indirect and collective assessment
than individual assessment. There are also problems of getting a generalized statistically documented data
about deviant employee behavior and measures taken regarding private banks’ employees. This could be
future possible research area of study. Creating and promoting an ethical organizational culture,
communicating about ethics and values, providing ethical training programs, background checking in
recruitment and selection, employment interviews, keeping records, and inspections are the major
recommendation given to control deviant employees’ workplace behaviors in the private banks of Ethiopia.
Employees treat the organization and their co-workers based on their perception of how they are treated.
So organizational justice, adapting prevention, and trainings should be the core aspect in deviant
workplace behavior. |