Lies in the workplace – how harmful can they be?

White lies are often seen as harmless and even socially acceptable, but they can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and cause unintended consequences.

As History Today puts it, "There is value in a leader who lies – but only if it is done for the greater good."

But what happens when the person telling the lie isn't a leader, and the intention is still to achieve a positive outcome? The dynamics of white lies, particularly in the workplace, are complex.

In certain situations, a white lie may seem like the only solution, yet there are also times when such lies are used to navigate tricky situations or prevent something worse from unfolding.

Read more: Pettiness: How to cope with this behaviour in the workplace

Lynn Taylor, workplace expert and author, told the Business Insider, "Lying in the office is a pandemic." 

Lying has become so common that, according to a University of Massachusetts study led by psychologist Robert Feldman, most of us lie two to three times every 10 minutes.

Taylor believes that many lies are told out of convenience or to cover up the truth.

Here are some everyday workplace white lies we've been privy to – and what they're likely to mean.

• "Sorry, I'm late, the traffic was bad."
  You left late and wanted to save face with your boss. 

• "I'm working on that project and will revert as soon as possible."
  You haven't started and will have to burn the midnight oil to get some headway.

• "I didn't receive that email or message; it must be my WIFI."
  You received it but forgot to act on it and are now too embarrassed to admit it. 

• "I'm working from home today, I am feeling unwell."
  You woke up late and don't feel like driving in traffic or you had a late night and are nursing a hangover.
  

Read more: Using your cellphone at work could lead to dismissal

While we all agree that honesty is the best policy, telling the occasional white lie for the greater good – without causing harm – doesn't doesn't have to lead to social cancelling.

That said, the key is moderation. It's important to reflect on how often you lie, especially if it starts to impact your relationship with your boss or colleagues.

If telling white lies becomes a regular habit, you might be risking your relationship with your peers and seniors, and that's never a good thing.

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