People who are likely to feel guilty for any wrongdoings could make particularly good employees, a new study has indicated.

According to research by USC Marshall School of Business, published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, this is because they are so concerned about letting others down that they are compelled to complete their work properly.

Scott Wiltermuth, assistant professor of management and organisation at the institution, commented: "Because of this concern for the impact of their actions on others' welfare, highly guilt-prone people often outwork their less guilt-prone colleagues."

He also pointed out these individuals often demonstrate more effective leadership, as well as make a greater contribution to the success of the teams and partnerships of which they are a part.

Mr Wiltermuth went on to note that a worker who is prone to feelings of guilt is less likely to engage in unethical behaviour and often prepared to give up financial gain because they are worried about how their actions might impact on the welfare of others.

Chartered Psychologist Wendy Lyons comments:

"This study can help organisations at a time when upholding a strong commitment to ethics and integrity is so critical, for example in financial services. Guilt-prone individuals are less likely to engage in counterproductive behaviour and should make fewer unethical decisions, so managers may be able to use this information to improve both high-stakes hiring decisions and team dynamics.

"However, guilt prone individuals are concerned with letting others down and other people's welfare. This raises the obvious worry that their good nature could be taken advantage of and this would have to be carefully managed."

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