Ethical behaviour is the ability to make decisions to act in the morally acceptable manner Dalke & Ankerstar, 1995, p.7). It is critical in any organization because it helps in building a good reputation that becomes a company’s selling point. A good reputation enhances mutual understanding between the company and its publics that is the stakeholders, government, employees, customers and the general public. It gains the company a competitive edge in the business environment. It is an essential element that the company should emphasise on. This paper focuses on the scenario provided and it discusses how the employee and the management can enhance ethical behaviour. Jan is faced with a dilemma on whether to disclose the company’s private information to Evelyne in order to help Steve or keep the information to her because it is appropriate as defined by the employee code of conduct. Evelyne approaches Jan informing her of the nephew’s plan to buy a house in proximity to his work place. Jan is aware that the company will engage in downsizing as a measure to lower its cost. Steve is likely to be laid off if the company follows this line of action. Should Jan tell Evelyne of the company’s plan and save her nephew from a likely financial crisis or should she stand by the company and enhance its integrity by practising confidentiality on the sensitive company information? Jan has a duty to uphold her integrity, be objective, confidential and professional in all her dealings with
During the announcement of the seventh annual list of most ethical companies in the world in 2013, Alex Brigham of Ethisphere, noted that more companies find that ethical business practices increase their competitiveness in their respective industries, helping to further substantiate the notion that a culture of ethic is crucial to sustainable excellence (Smith, 2013). Researchers in the field of Organizational Behavior has found that employees are subjected to an environment of ethical dilemma constantly. During such moments employees have a choice either to pursue with ethical conduct or engage in an unethical behavior which results in harming the organization or its stakeholder (Trevino & Brown, 2004). How the employee behave greatly depends
Past research has discovered that managers react to ethical dilemmas according to the situation. If specific values that are related to ethical behavior can be identified, they would offer strong tools for managers who want to retain high standards of ethical behavior in their society.
ethical approach can be taken in the best interests of the company. Again, to maintain a strong
There are several steps corporate and governmental leaders can take to promote ethical behavior to include developing a code of ethics and implementing ethical policies. Maintaining and supporting open communication with stakeholders and employees builds trust so that concerns are brought forward without fear of retaliation. Establishing systems and processes that support and do not sabotage ethical practices is significant to safeguarding against fraudulent and unethical behavior. However, even with the proper policies and reporting mechanisms, companies are not guaranteed that unethical behavior will not occur. With systems in place, a company is able to address issues and take action to discontinue the behavior. The most effective way to promote ethical behavior is through leadership commitment, training and demonstrating appropriate behavior. (Center for Ethical Business Cultures, 2008)
Management constitute amongst major components of a company, organization or a business. As such, management oversees employees interactions with their supervisors and also control of people within a particular organization. Also, it includes critical and ethical decision-making process so as to address various ethical dilemmas experienced by employees while undertaking their respective assigned duties within the company. Ethical dilemmas are hereby to stay as issues usually arise now and then and place a variety of options that bear different repercussions. Therefore, it calls for ethical and critical decision-making skills so as to make the most appropriate option that bears more benefits in comparison to other options presented. While making ethical decisions, it 's substantially important to play heed to a certain ethical decision-making theory. This would enable an individual making the decision to ripe best possible consequences rather than living to regret. Moreover, ethical decision making is typically important in business as making a wrong decision may result not only in huge losses but also poor relationship amongst colleagues and miserable life for employee(s) working in a particular company or business in question.
Ethics are extremely important in the workplace to maintain order, ensuring that a company runs properly and efficiently. According to authors Colquitt, LePine, & Wesson, ethics is noted as, “The degree to which the behaviors of an authority are in accordance with generally accepted moral norms” (Colquitt, LePine, & Wesson). The decisions that individuals make on a daily basis have a great deal morality within. Characteristics that aid in the ethical decision making process include dedication, integrity, conduct, and many more. Every company makes its values and ethics known immediately after hiring an employee, or specifically, during the interview process. In many businesses, no matter how well an employee performs, workplace values and ethics are
As we practice resolving dilemmas we find ethics to be less a goal than a pathway, less a destination than a trip, less an inoculation than a process. —Ethicist Rushworth Kidder
Ethical behavior is significant to the development of persuasion, and important to the behavior of humans.It also influences persuasion by developing the progression of persuasion, and increasing those who are accountable for it. A person’s ethical behavior originates with morals and changes into what way an individual is required to connect to encourage effectively and dependably and finishes with who obligation it is to take responsibility in a persuasive interchange. The significance of our ethical behavior is realized within all our origins as human beings and stands as the groundwork of our different societies. We are directed by our ethical customs in the cultures which we create and live. “ The persuader’s determined actions means more under deontological ethics than under teleological ethics”( Magee,2014). According to David B. Resnik, J.D.,( 2011), ethics is defined as standards for behavior that differentiate between tolerable and intolerable conduct. Ethical morals of behavior that specify how an individual should conduct them self centered on ethical responsibilities and qualities.
Today’s business world presents numerous ethical issues. In today’s world above board/moral ethics in organizations do not often materialize intuitively. Organization must strive to provide employees with a clear understanding of the overall company vision. This will aid employees in practicing the code of ethics, policies and procedures in the workplace. Companies must be unwavering in continuously delivering the uppermost ethics of provision in which customers, applicants and employees are entitled to under fair business practices. One major core value is to uphold responsible and fair business practices.
In today’s modern world managers from all companies have to take into account the works of ethical decision making, ethical decision making is an idea that will dramatically help any manager that takes this issue seriously. In the standpoint of the internal customer, ethical behavior improves the actual atmosphere at the job and helps motivate the actual employees, sets an example to the actual employees, and evokes a feeling of pride with the company and improves it is image within the eyes with the employees. From the standpoint of outer customer, ethical behavior improves the image of the company and enhances the overall progress of honourable behavior within the organization. Ethical behavior demands an atmosphere where it can be performed. Furthermore, it necessitates a knowledge about basic fundamentals of honourable behaviour. Eventually it contributes to cultural and behavioral enrichment amid internal staff with the organization.
Every individual is faces with ethical decisions every day in both their personal and professional lives. To avoid making unethical decisions, one must know what leads to poor decision making. Once a person knows what leads to the poor decision, they must find ways to resist making an unethical act. A person cannot make the right choice if they do not know how to avoid it. A leader must also know how to inspire ethical decisions within their staff. This paper covers ways to avoid making poor decisions and ways to making ethical ones.
In the workplace as well as one’s personal life is essential for ethics to be maintained; often taking the right action is not always the most popular choice. It is important for maintaining an upstanding ethical code of conduct to be a productive individual as well as function as an employee in the workplace.
Whenever an employee is facing a moral dilemma or an ethical issue they should report it to higher management to seek advice and to prevent an ethical or legal issue to occur again. That is one step in the
In difficult financial times, companies face various moral issues to try to keep up with their competitors. Although these issues have a direct impact on employee decision making, businesses rarely address how employees should assess the ethics of their actions and incorporate ethics into their decisions. Often this can be alleviated by creating and maintaining a corporate culture with a focus on
Most employees want to perform their jobs successfully and ethically but good employer sometime make bad ethical choices.