Ethics in the Workplace
Here is some brief introductory information on ethics in the workplace which is also called business ethics.
What is Ethics?
For an individual ethics can be a straight-forward interpretation of what is right or wrong, and then acting by doing the right thing based on his or her's moral principles and values such as respect, honesty, fairness, responsibility, etc.
Ask a few people what do they understand by "business ethics", and youare bound to get a variety theoretical interpretations.
Ethics in the Workplace (Business Ethics)
However, ethics in the workplace, or, business ethics, does not adopt such a simplistic approach as mentioned above. There are a variety of economic motives, and factors that impinge on workplace ethics e.g. profitability, competitors, vying for scarce resources, management style, etc.
Workplace ethics tends to be far more complex, and requires a more practical approach, which takes these economic motives and economic factors into consideration (or into the equation) when determining organizational behaviour models.
Business Ethics Definition
A definition for business ethics can be "the values and principles (code of ethics) and the behaviour (code of conduct) that guide management and employees actively implement good ethical behaviour practices, while carrying out their employment duties."(dqf)
Importance of Ethics in Business
Why is ethics important in business?
For the answer: Look at the outcome of bad corporate ethical behaviour at corporations such as Adelphia, Enron, Tyco, and WorldCom. People and businesses like doing business with people, and organizations, they see as being trustworthy, having competence, integrity and credibility. Basically it makes good business sense, so is good business practice to have good business ethics.
Responsibility for Ethics in the Workplace
Organizations and their managers are responsible for ensuring and applying organizational ethics. Workplace ethics outlines the behaviour that is expected of managers when faced with ethical issues while carrying out their day-to-day operations, as well as when faced with ethical problems during a time of organizational crisis.
Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct
Codes of Ethics, and the codes of conduct, serve as guidelines to help management and employees actively implement good ethical practices. An important focus and purpose of these codes is to help maintain a healthy corporate culture within an organization.
- Codes of ethics focus on the values and principles that are important to the organization. They make it easier for an organization to live out its mission statement.
- Codes of conduct focus on the behaviour that is expected of managers as well as of the employees within the organization.
Benefits of Having Business Ethics in the Workplace
- Substantially improves the culture or "atmosphere" within the organization.
- Employee relations within an organization are enhanced, through the concepts of "fairness" and "trust" that come with good ethical practices.
- The Codes of conduct serve as a blueprint for behaviour during a crisis.
- Good business ethics creates a sense of "belonging" among employees, leading to employee motivation and teamwork, which often would result in increased productivity.
Human Resources Policies and Procedures
Business ethics can be best implemented through the various HR policies and procedures which outline the behaviour expected of employees, and the procedures to be followed when carrying out their duties, as well as the sanctions attached.
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