1. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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!

14. 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?

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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