When Shilpa Shetty left the Celebrity Big Brother house a winner, many critics put the public's choice down to her dignity in the face of severe bullying from fellow housemates.

But sticking to your principles can make you unpopular, or even provoke bullies in the workplace. Equally, compromising your values in order to be liked is not wise.

Simon Mitchell, a director at Human Resources Consultancy, DDI, says: 'Most people exhibit a degree of chameleon-like behaviour in the workplace, where you try to fit in with your surroundings, but you can push it too far.'

A recent study of workplace behaviour carried out by the firm found that 31 per cent of respondents felt that they had to play a part at work to fit in, while 30 per cent felt under pressure to conform to workplace culture.

Mitchell says: 'In the war for talent, it is crucial that candidates are selected on the basis of having a good fit with the company culture, as much as the job requirements.

'Someone who feels under tremendous pressure to fit in and be liked is less likely to be motivated and productive and will probably end up leaving.'

Robert Hessen, 42, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, is a manager for payroll software firm Snowdrop, but it was in a previous job, where he was dealing with customers, that he found himself at odds with his colleagues and his boss.

Robert says: 'I'm passionate about good customer service, but at this particular firm no-one else seemed bothered. Because I made my feelings clear I was singled out and to an extent ostracised by the other members of staff.

'When I broached the subject with my manager his advice was to spend less time speaking to customers and get on with the next call.

It was about quantity, not quality, and I just didn't feel that I belonged there.'

After just five months, Robert decided to quit because the pressure was affecting him away from work.

He says: 'Had I been younger and less experienced, I may well have gone along with everyone else just to avoid conflict. But by sticking to my principles I have since found a role in an organisation that I am happy with.'

When individuals do feel isolated or unable to fit in with colleagues it helps to have someone to talk to confidentially, says Nigel Hill, managing director of The Leadership Factor, an employee satisfaction specialist.

He says: 'Ideally, new members of staff should be assigned a mentor, someone in a non-managerial role they can voice concerns to without fear of reprisal. This can often resolve minor problems before they escalate into major ones.'