Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt ETHICS, POLITICS, and DIVERSITY Chapter 5

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt Define ethics and its impact both personally and professionally Identify the importance of maintaining confidentiality Understand the importance of ethical decision making OBJECTIVES

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt ETHICS DEFINED Ethics: a moral standard of right and wrong –Just as your personality is shaped by outside influences, so is your ethical make-up –Ethical behavior is a reflection of influences

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt INFLUENCES ON ETHICS AT WORK Ethical issues arise daily at work Confidential issues: workplace matters that should be kept private Implied confidentiality: an obligation to not share information with individuals with whom the business is of no concern If you are uncertain about sharing information, check with your boss

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt TALK IT OUT 1.What activities done during class could be considered unethical? 2.What activities done at work could be considered unethical?

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt ACTIVITIES Activity 5-1 (page 70) Activity 5-3 (page 70)

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt MAKING ETHICAL CHOICES There are three levels of ethical decisions: The first is the law The second is fairness The third is your conscience

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt WHEN OTHERS ARE NOT ETHICAL If someone is breaking the law, you have an obligation to inform your employer immediately

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt WHEN OTHERS ARE NOT ETHICAL Accusing Others of Wrongdoing Document facts and evidence You have three choices: –Alert outside officials if the offense is illegal and extreme –If the offense is not illegal and extreme and is accepted by management, accept management’s decision –If the offense is not illegal and extreme and is accepted by management, yet you are bothered, decide whether you want to continue working for the company

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson [imprint] Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e Lydia E. Anderson Sandra B. Bolt WHEN OTHERS ARE NOT ETHICAL Company Theft Company theft is not always big items; more often it is small items, such as: –Office supplies If not used for company purposes –Time Surfing the Internet, making personal calls, and taking extra-long breaks Activity 5-4