ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE INTRODUCTION Work Ethics: A group of moral principles, standards of behavior, or set of values regarding proper conduct in the workplace

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE Relationships at Work Management/owner toward client/customer Management/owner toward employees Employee toward Employer, Co-workers, Customers

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE Business Abuse Any : illegal unethical irresponsible Act done against an Employer

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE Results of Business Abuse Higher prices Business Failure Fewer Jobs Unpleasant Working Conditions

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE A. Examples of Business Abuse Stealing Merchandise Money * Shoplift *Kickback * Conflict of Interest * Unauthorized Discounts Time

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE A. Examples of Business Abuse (Continued) Vandalism Falsify Records Break Confidentiality Ignore Safety Rules Misrepresent Merchandise

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE A. Examples of Business Abuse (Continued) Poor Client Service Irresponsible Behavior Addictions * drugs * alcohol * tobacco

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE A. Examples of Business Abuse (Continued) Gossip * Causes poor work environment (morale) * Lowers Productivity

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE 11 Harassment of Co-wks or Clients *Unwelcome sexual advances * Compliance as condition of employment * Interferes w/ wk performance through intimidation

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE How Do We Rationalize Business Abuse? Everybody does it The co. won’t miss it The co. overcharges I’m not paid enough The co. doesn’t deserve my loyalty

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE C. How Employers Respond to Business Abuse Increase Security * loss prevention mgmt. * surveillance * Networks/Helplines * threats of prosecution

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE C. How Employers Respond to Business Abuse (Continued) Increase Employee Loyalty * fair wages & benefits * fair/consistent treatment * recognition for good wk * foster family climate

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE D. As Employees, What Are Our Choices? Ignore Business Abuse Rationalize it away Speak Up Discuss to Clarify Issues Blow the Whistle!

ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACE E. If You’re Unsure - Before You Act -- ASK: Is this legal? Is it against co. policy? Could the action cause loss or harm to anyone? If everyone I knew saw me, would I feel uncomfortable?

What to do when faced with a situation that presents ethical issues? Identify and describe the facts clearly i.e. Find out who did what to whom and where, when and how Define the conflict or dilemma and identify the higher order values involved Identify the stakeholders Identify the options that you can reasonably take Identify the potential consequences of your opttions

Ethical principles Do unto others as you would have them do unto you aka the Golden Rule If an action is not right for everyone to take it is not right for anyone aka Immanuel Kant’s Catergorical Imperative If an action can not be taken repeatedly it is not right to take at all aka Descartes’ rule of change

Ethical principles continued Take the action that achieves the higher or greater value aka the Utilitarian principle Take the action that produces the least harm or the least potential cost aka the Risk Aversion Principle Assume that virtually all tangible and intangible objects are owned by someone else unless there is a specific declaration otherwise aka the ethical no free lunch rule

These rules cannot be guides to action but actions that do not pass these rules deserve some very close attention and a great deal of caution