Chapter 3 Ethics in Workplace. (Business Ethics) pdf

Business Ethics

1. Ethics in Workplace
Business Ethics
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

2. INTRODUCTION
Manyorganizationscreatespecificethicalcodesthatguidetheir
operationsandhowtheirprocessesimpactstakeholdersoverall.
Theseethicsmayhelporganizationsmaintainspecificstandards
ofaccountability,responsibility,professionalismandmoreas
theynavigatechallengesanddifferentday-to-daycircumstances.
Bymaintainingtheseguidelinesintheirwork,organizations
oftenexperienceavarietyofsignificantbenefitsthatcan
improvethelivesofemployees,customers,leadersandthe
generalpublic.
InthisLecture,weoutlinewhatethicsintheworkplaceare,why
they'reimportanttoestablishandwhatspecificbenefits
organizationsandstakeholdersmayenjoyfrominitiatingan
ethicalcodeofconduct.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

3. Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

4. Work Ethics
Workethicistheabilitytomaintainproper
moralvalueswithintheworkplace.
Itisanattitudethatshapesthewayan
individualperformsitsjobdutieswithhigh
moralstandards.
Ethicsisacollectionofvaluesandbehaviorswhichpeoplefeel
aremoral.
Inotherwords,―“ethics”isthenamewegivetoourvalues
orgoodbehavior.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”
PositiveWORKETHICisthecollectionofall
thevaluesandactionsthatpeoplefeelare
appropriateintheworkplace.

5. Workplaceethicscanbe
dividedintotwolargerareasof
effort:
a.howanemployeegoverns
themselveswithinthe
workplace,and
b.howtheorganization
conductsitselfboth
internallyandexternally
(howethicsareatplayin
thecorporateculture).
5
Workplace Ethics
in Action
Bothhaveatremendouseffectonemployeemorale,
performance,loyalty,jobturnover,andworkethicitself.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

6. The Role of Workplace
Ethics
Ethicallapsesofanykindhavethe
tendencytosnowballinawork
environment.
Onceemployeesseeothersbreaking
theruleswithoutrepercussions,they
maystarttothinkit’sexcusablefor
themtodosoaswell.Itsendsthe
messagethatnotonlywillthe
behaviorgounaddressed,it
communicatesthatit’sacceptable.
Worsecase,theymayviewthe
companyinanegativelightand
choosetoleave.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

7. 7
Essentially,aculturewheremisconduct
istoleratedcouldresultinhigher
turnover,lowerproductivity,and
ultimately,adiminishedreputation
andprofitability.
Anorganizationthatdoesnot
consistentlycombatunethicalbehaviors
willalwayssuffer,evenifthe
wrongdoingsinquestionaren’t
consideredtobemajorbymostpeople’s
judgment.
Unethicalbehaviorthatgoesonwithout
beingreprimandedunderminesthe
moralfabricofanorganization,leading
tolargerproblemsthantheunethical
issueinquestion.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

8. The Role of Work Ethic
Managerialstylecanworktoimprove
anemployee’sworkethicby
establishingsystemsandhabitsfor
accomplishingtasksefficientlyand
interactingeffectivelyintheworkplace.
Byinspiringandevenrewardingethicalbehaviorinthe
individualeffortsofemployees,anorganizationcan
ensurethatethicalconductpermeatesalllevelsofthe
organizationandreachesthepublic’sperceptionofthe
company.
The8centralcharacteristicsofstrongemployeework
ethicare:
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

9. 1.Punctuality:completingprojectswhendue,
showingupontime,followingbreak-time
protocol,andinformingsupervisorsofchallenges
inatimelymannerarealleffortsthatrespectthe
valueoftimeintheworkplace.
2.Accountability:employeesandemployersalikeshouldbeheld
accountableintheirworkefforts,meaningtheyshoulderthe
responsibilityforongoingprojectsandtaketheblameforerrors
whennecessary.
3.Focus:inordertoefficientlyaccomplishatask,anemployeemust
remainfocusedandavoidthedistractionsofchatter,socialmedia,
technology,etc.
4.Initiative:thisiswhenanemployeedoessomethingproductiveor
usefultothecompanywithoutbeingasked.Strongemployeescarenot
abouttickingoffitemsonato-dolistbutdoingwhatneedstobedone
forthebettermentoftheorganization.Showinginitiativeinwork
effortsindicatestomanagementthatanemployeevaluessuccess.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

10. 5.Productivity:productivityhingesuponanemployee’sability
toovercomedistractions,ignoreexternalinfluences,and
conqueringobstaclesthatinhibitthemfromperformingtheir
task.
6.Professionalism:beingpresentintheirworkculture,
employeeswhoexhibitprofessionalismshowupandtaketheir
workseriously,stayingrespectfulofothersanddressing
appropriately.
7.Dedication:dedicationmeansconsistencyandshowingup
readytoaccomplishtasksdaily,allwhilemaintainingfocus
andproductivity.
8.DesiretoImprove:employeeswho
embracefeedbackandlearning
momentsshowthattheyarewilling
toworktogrowintheircareers.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

11. WORK ETHICS
PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS
STANDARDSTobesuccessfulinacareeryou
mustpossessbothstrongoccupationalskillsand
goodworkethics.
Thefollowingaretenareasofworkethictraits
andperformancestandardsyouwillbepresented
andexpectedtoexhibitintheworkplace:
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

12. 1.Attendance
2.Character
3.Teamwork
4.Appearance
5.Attitude
6.Productivity
7.Organizational skills
8.Communication
9.Cooperation
10.Respect
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

13. •Attend90%ormoreoftherequiredJob
(class)time
•Betardyforclass(Job)nomorethan
eighttimesduringafourteenweeks.
•Notifyinstructorbeforeplannedabsences
ortardiness
•Bepreparedforworkbyreading
assignmentsandcompletingjob.
•Participateinactivitiesbycontributingto
workdiscussion,completingassignments,
andbeinginvolvedinanyactivities
•Beginandendworkasexpected
•Useworktimeappropriately
•Goodattendanceisexpected,Itisthe
corner-stoneofadvancement
1.Attendance
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

14. •Displayahighlevelofeffort
and commitment to
performingandcompleting
work
•Behonestinallsituations
•Demonstratetrustworthiness
andresponsiblebehavior
•Displays loyalty,
dependability,reliability,
initiative,andself-discipline.
2. Character
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

15. HONESTY
Honestyisvaluable
•Employeesaccountfor30%ofall―“shortages”
•Beinghonestismorethanjustnottaking―“things”
•Inan8hourdayhowmuchtimeshouldbespenton
task(Job)?
•Usingthecompanytelephoneforpersonalcalls,
checkingemail,ortextingisactuallystealingfromthe
company!!!.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

16. 16
LOYALTY
oInreturnforsalaryandbenefits,the
firmexpectsloyalty.
oWithloyaltycomesasenseofpride.
oAllemployeesaregoodwill
ambassadorsandsalespeoplefor
theircompany.
oEmployeesmustkeepcompany
“secrets”.
oThemorethecompanysucceedsthe
moreyouwillsucceed.
oIfyoucannotfeelfaithfulnessand
allegiancetoyourcompany,you
shouldseekajobelsewhere.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

17. Never lie on your:
─Application
─Time sheet
─Expense statements
Never cheat a:
─Customer
─Associate
─Employer
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

18. Self-discipline & self-
responsibility
•Self-disciplineisapart
of accepting
responsibility
•Self-disciplinerequires
thehandlingofemotions
•Thehardpartismaking
thebestchoiceamong
thealternatives.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

19. 3.Teamwork
•Encourageandfacilitatecooperation,pride,trust,and
groupidentity
•Fostercommitmentandteamspirit
•Facilitatecooperation
•Respectstherightsofothers
•Respectsconfidentiality
•Isateamworker
•Iscooperative
•Isassertive
•Displaysacustomerserviceattitude
•Seeksopportunitiesforcontinuous
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

20. 4. Appearance
•Presentaneat,cleanappearance
•Practicepersonalhygiene
•Wearclothingsuitabletothejob,taskand
environment
•Usesappropriateverbalandwrittenetiquette
•Appearancedealswitheveryaspectofhowwe
perceiveanindividual.Inaninstant,weform
opinionsaboutapersonbasedon:
−-Appearance,
−-Smell,
−-Cleanliness,
−-Mannerisms.
•Dependingonthecareer,acceptable
appearanceswillvary.
•Regardlessofthejob,thereisnoexcusefornot
beinggroomedcorrectly.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

21. 5. Attitude
•Demonstratesapositiveattitude
•Appearsself-confident
•Displayawillingnesstocooperate
andacceptconstructivecriticism
•Setrealisticexpectations
•Neverunderestimatethepower
ofproperattitude.
•Attitudedetermineshow
successfulwewillbe.
•Attitudedeterminesaltitude.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

22. AppearSelf-confident
Self-confidenceisprerequisiteto
success
Willingtolearnnewskills
Totakeopportunities
•Togrow
HaveRealisticExpectations
ofSelf
Settingrealisticgoals,and
workingtoachievethem,
helpsustocontinuallygrow
anddevelop.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

23. 6. Productivity
•Notifyproperauthoritiesof
circumstancesorsituationspresenting
potentialsafetyhazards
•Maintainequipmentandsupplies
•Keepsworkareaneatandclean
•Conservesmaterials
•Donotuseorknowinglypermit
otherstousetoolsandequipment
improperly
•Followsdirectionsandprocedures
•Observeestablishedpoliciesonsafety
•Makeupmissedassignmentsinatimelymanner
•Stayontaskandutilize
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

24. 7. Organizational skills
•Prioritizeandmanagetimeand
stresseffectively
•Demonstrateflexibilityinadapting
tochanges
TimeManagementTechniques:
Askforhelp
•Manyarescaredtoaskforhelp
•Fearbeingseenasintrusiveordumb
•Helpcomesinmanyforms
•Peopleallaroundyouarepaidto
help
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

25. 8. Communication
•Communicateaccurateinformationtoothersina
professionalandcourteousmanner.
•Displaysappropriatenonverbal(eyecontact,bodylanguage)
andoral(listening,telephoneetiquette,grammar)skills
•Listenattentivelytoothers
•Goodtechnologyetiquette
•Theworstassumptionasenderofamessagecanmakeisthat
themessagewillbereceivedasintendedLanguageitselfcan
beabarrier
−Unclearwording
−Slang
−Jargon
−Tone
•Anotherbarrierisbodylanguage
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

26. 9. Cooperation
•Maintains appropriate
relationships
•Followthechainofcommandin
resolvingconflicts
•Displaysleadershipskills
•Appropriatelyhandlescriticism,
conflicts,andcomplaints
•Conveyawillingnesstoassistothers
•Worktoresolveconflictsandtoidentifysolutionsinwhichall
partiesbenefit
•Demonstrateconcernfortreatingpeoplefairlyandequitably
•Demonstratesproblem-solvingcapability
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

27. 10. Respect
•Treatinstructors,staffand
fellowstudentswithrespect,
courtesy,andtact
•Donotengageinharassment
ofanykind
•Knowthelegaldefinitionsof
sexualharassment
•Dealappropriatelywith
cultural/racialdiversity
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

28. Why ethics in the workplace is important
Workplaceethicsareanincrediblyimportantpartof
formingasuccessfulorganizationwithsatisfiedandloyal
teammembers.Highethicalstandardscanhelp
stakeholders,likeemployees,investors,customersand
otherindividualsinvolvedwithworkplaceoperationsfeel
thattheorganizationissafeguardingtheirinterests.
Bypurposefullybuildingethical
guidelinesintheirstructure,
organizationscankeeptheiremployees'
bestinterestsinmindwhilemaintaining
apositiveinfluenceonthosethey
impactthroughtheirprocesses.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

29. The Value of Strong Workplace Ethics
Startinginternallybypromotinghonest,hardworkingemployeesina
workplaceculturedrivenbyproductivityandastrongworkethic,
employeesarelikelytousethosedrivingprinciplesofdecencyand
fairnesstoincreaseoverallcompanymorale,ultimatelyimprovingan
organization’sreputationandensuringlong-termsuccess.
Understandingtheelementsandchallengesofworkplaceethicsand
behaviorcanhelpcompaniestocreateharmoniousworking
environmentsfortheiremployees.
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”
Ethicsaretheguidingprinciplesthat
determinehowemployeesconductthemselves
intheworkplace.Whileethicsandworkplace
behaviorhavealwaysbeenattheforefrontof
organizationalefforts,therearestillissuesthat
occurtodayregardingethicallapsesin
corporateconductandjudgment.

30. Top 10 Tips for... Improving Ethics in the
Workplace
1.Create a code
2.Engage with your employees and customers
3.Reinforce the benefits of the code
4.Be a good role model
5.Train your employees
6.Promote your ethical behaviour
7.Reward ethical behaviour
8.Learn from your mistakes
9.Report unethical behaviour
10.Move with the times
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”

31. THANK YOU!
[email protected]
ABAJEY
Abdulahi Abukar “ ABAJEY”