Employee Moral Evaluation of Supervisor Leniency for Coworkers’ Misconduct: The Role of Attributed Altruistic and Instrumental Motives

This study examines how third-party employees interpret and react to supervisor leniency, considering motive attribution and gender norms. Using a mixed-methods approach, it finds that leniency perceived as altruistic reduces negative judgments, fostering positive behaviors, while instrumental motives increase immorality perceptions. These effects are stronger for female supervisors.