Ethics in the Workplace
Ethics can be defined as honorable conduct toward others. Ethics is also the system of moral principles by which a person is guided--or, to put it more simply, the standards of right and wrong. Ethics is present in all aspects of the workplace. It can be demonstrated in members of an organization that leads by example, conducting good business, and consequences of unethical behaviors. This paper will discuss the affects of good ethics, as well as the outcome of unethically practices in the workplace.
In most organizations, there is an orientation or some type of training program for new employees. This is the best opportunity to introduce the policies and rules regarding the organization’s ethics. During this training period, new employees should receive “written ethics standards, provided ethics training, and ensure resources are available for employees in need of ethics advice” (Joseph, 2000, para. 1). What organizations must emphasize to both new and current employees is there is no difference between ethics in the workplace and ethics in everyday life. The most popular golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have done to you,” is still very evident in ethics today.
Ethics can not be confined to rules and regulations within the workplace environment. It must also be extended to how business is conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and in accordance with the highest ethical standards. Organizations must expect that its employees, and the people acting on its behalf, will adhere to these principles. It is very important for an organization to continuously review and make revisions to its ethical guidelines. Management should make ...