Whether it is politics, academics, or just a regular place of work, we read, hear, and see how people avoid malicious comments, moves, and acts. However, malicious compliance is largely observed in the workplace, exhibited by people of different classes and backgrounds. Now, let’s see what the term actually means.
What is Malicious Compliance?
Malicious compliance is basically the act of following rules, regulations, or instructions as stipulated, but in a way that is intentionally uncooperative, unhelpful, or counterproductive. By taking a careful glance at what the term means, you can see why it is often attributed or observed in the workplace. The workplace is a place where instructions are necessary to achieve set goals and objectives. The behaviour exhibited through malicious compliance is found among individuals who feel undervalued, overworked, or simply frustrated with their job or work environment.
When an employee is found displaying this act, it is deduced that the behaviour is aimed at highlighting the inefficiency or shortcomings of certain policies and procedures or just to express dissatisfaction with work operations.
To wrap up what malicious compliance is, identifying that it can be expressed in various forms is critical.
This behaviour can be exhibited in ways that include complying with company policies in a way that is deliberately unhelpful to clients or colleagues, following safety protocols to an extent of exposing its lapses, as well as other ways of exposing inadequacies.
Conclusively, malicious compliance is aimed at providing a sense of satisfaction or revenge, which is evidently temporary. Albeit, it can hurt relationships with the parties involved, undermine productivity, and create a work environment that is toxic.
Why is Malicious Compliance Illegal?
If you had taken time to read what malicious compliance is, you could also ask: why is malicious compliance illegal?
From the definition and explanation in our first few paragraphs, will you say malicious compliance is illegal or not?
Malicious compliance is not deemed illegal; however, depending on what the law argues it to be, it can also be termed so. Adhering to rules and regulations is important, and some follow rules to the letter, which is also good. However, it is how the intent and consequences of malicious compliance present themselves, crossing the line that makes it illegal.
Each organisation could further determine the extent to which malicious compliance is deemed illegal. Malicious compliance can be illegal under these circumstances as shown by findings:
- Workplace sabotage
- Harassment
- Retaliation
- Aggressiveness
- Violation of Rules
From harming an organisation’s reputation through workplace sabotage to violating rules, engaging in harassment of colleagues, retaliation, and all manner of negativity, organisations set the mark, as well as implications. It is important to note that whether or not malicious compliance is determined to be illegal, it still has negative consequences attached, not only for the individual but for the organisation as well.