JOB DEMANDS, SUPERVISION STYLES, AND FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT: EVIDENCE FROM THE NIGERIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study examined the influence of job demands and supervision styles on
financial misconduct among bank workers in Nigeria, and also investigated whether gender
differences exist in financial misconduct. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data
were collected from 144 bank employees. Multiple regression analysis and an independent samples
t-test were employed to test the study hypotheses. The results revealed that job demands comprising
bureaucratic procedures, performance monitoring, reporting requirements, and compliance
pressures significantly and jointly predicted financial misconduct, accounting for 86.3% of the
variance (R = .929, R² = .863, F(4,126) = 198.349, p < .001). Similarly, supervision styles, verbal
aggression, work interference, and supervisor exploitation significantly predicted financial
misconduct, explaining 31.7% of the variance (R = .563, R² = .317, F(3,133) = 20.616, p < .001).
However, the independent samples t-test indicated no significant gender difference in financial
misconduct between male (M = 101.87, SD = 25.04) and female (M = 103.42, SD = 22.00) bank
workers, (t(139) = –0.393, p > .05). The study concludes that organizational factors particularly job
demands and supervisory practices are stronger predictors of financial misconduct than
demographic characteristics such as gender. The findings highlight the critical role of workplace
structure and managerial behavior in shaping ethical conduct within banking institutions. It is
therefore recommended that banks strengthen internal governance systems, reduce excessive
bureaucratic and compliance pressures, and promote supportive and ethical supervision practices
to minimize the likelihood of financial misconduct among employees.