What is the definition of plagiarism in the workplace?

Plagiarism in the workplace is defined as the use of someone else’s work or ideas without proper attribution. This encompasses any situation where an employee represents another person's intellectual property—such as written text, designs, or ideas—as their own. Proper attribution involves recognizing the original creator and providing appropriate credit, which is essential for maintaining integrity and trust within a professional environment.

Recognizing plagiarism is critical in a workplace setting because it can lead to serious consequences, such as loss of credibility, legal issues, and damage to professional relationships. Collaborating with coworkers, sharing original ideas, or engaging in team efforts are all constructive and acceptable practices in the workplace, but they differ fundamentally from the act of plagiarism, which undermines the trust and respect necessary for collaborative success.