How could one identify an organisation that tolerates a lack of accountability?

The following are some of the more common characteristics of those organisations where a lack of accountability flourishes: • Policies and procedures having to deal with accountability

• matters are non- existent or inconsistently applied.

• Policies and procedures dealing with accountability issues

• are ignored by those who have to apply or enforce them.

• Control systems are outdated, inefficient, ineffective, selectively applied and not maintained.

• Performance management is non- existent, discredited or inconsistently applied.

• Salary and wage increases and bonuses are paid despite dismal organisational performance, rewarding lack of accountability

•Work and performance standards are allowed to slip.

• Employees perceive a lack of accountability and become demotivated.

• Complacency and mediocrity become acceptable.

• Employees who perform well are not given recognition and poor performers are not held accountable.

• Poor performers therefore thrive while diligent employees pick up the slack.

• Good performers leave the organisation because they seek accountability and the non- accountable organisation finds it difficult to attract competent employees.

• Employees refuse to be held accountable when something

• undesirable happens, exchanging accusations on who is to blame and/or playing the victim.

• Managers are unwilling to delegate responsibilities, allowing employees to escape accountability.

• A ‘victim culture’ is tolerated in the organisation.

• There is no clear definition or guidelines for what is acceptable and what is unacceptable.

• Managers and employees fear possible confrontations about accountability and avoid having to deal with conflict that may arise.

• Managers lack credi0bility when stating that accountability is important, allowing employees to get away with unacceptable behaviours.

• Performance problems are allowed to linger and people are loath to address potentially difficult conversations about accountability head-on.