CHAPTER 14

ENHANCING ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

EXAMPLES OF ETHICAL REASONING

1. Not covering up having been fired from previous job during interview.

2. Employees reporting on each other for wrongdoing.

3. Being honest about a delivery date.4. Not taking home a few office

supplies.5. Not hiring a “hot” candidate over

someone else better qualified.

EXAMPLES OF UNETHICAL REASONING

1. Expense account cheating if employee needs the money.

2. Conducting personal business on company time.

3. Flirt with boss to get higher pay.4. Calling in sick when feeling well.5. Taking credit for coworker’s idea.

People Are Motivated by

self-interest

&

the desire to do something right

WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT BUSINESS ETHICS

A good ethics reputation can enhance business.

Many unethical acts are illegal leading to financial loss and imprisonment.

High ethics can increase quality of work life.

SAMPLE CLAUSES FROM COMPANY ETHICAL CODES

Demonstrate courtesy, respect, honesty, and fairness.

Do not use abusive language. Do not bring firearms or knives to

work. Do not offer bribes. Maintain confidentiality of records. Do not harass anybody in anyway.

WHY BEING ETHICAL ISN’T EASY

Ethical decisions are complex. People do not always recognize the

moral issues in a decision. People have different levels of moral

development. The work environment could be

unethical. Some people have a predisposition to

be unethical (utilitarian).

EMPLOYEE REPORTS OF UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

1. Worker abuse or intimidation (22%)2. Lying to stakeholders (19%)3. Violations of safety regulations (16%)4. Misreporting of time worked (16%)5. Job discrimination (12%)6. Theft (11%)7. Sexual harassment (9%)

FREQUENT ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Illegally copying software Treating people unfairly (only

performance and qualifications should count)

Sexual harassment (illegal and unethical)

Conflict of interest (your judgment or objectivity is compromised)

FREQUENT ETHICAL DILEMMAS, cont.

Dealing with confidential information Presenting employment history

(many people lie or distort information)

Use of corporate resources Ethically violating computers and

information technology Choosing between two rights (dealing

with defining moments)

CRONYISM IN THE WORKPLACE

Cronyism is giving jobs to people who have done personal favors for you.

Crony is often hired instead of more qualified candidate.

Widely practiced in the form of political appointments in government.

In business, the owner or CEO often gives plum jobs to cronies.

COMPONENTS OF WORKPLACE VIRTUOUSNESS

1. Rationality (take reality seriously) 2. Honesty (the refusal to fake reality)3. Independence (use own rational

judgment)4. Productivity (creating the material

values your life requires)5. Forgiveness (if breach is not big)

A GUIDE (OR SCREEN) TO ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

1. Gather the facts (e.g., any legal issues here?).

2. Define the ethical issues (could involve character traits).

3. Identify the affected parties (who might get hurt?).

4. Identify the consequences (including the symbolic consequences).

GUIDE TO ETHICAL DECISION MAKING, continued

5. Identify the obligations (also, why are you obliged to a given group?).

6. Consider your character and integrity (what would others think of you?).

7. Think creatively about potential actions (several solutions may exist).

8. Use your intuition (how does your contemplated decision feel?).

MORE GUIDELINES FOR BEHAVIING ETHICALLY

Developing strong relationships with work associates (e.g. Two people with strong ties to each other are more likely to be honest with each other.)

Using corporate ethics programs (e.g. a committee that monitors ethical behavior and an ethics training program)

A FEW MORE GUIDELINES FOR BEHAVING ETHICALLY

Be environmentally conscious (take steps on your own, and be an advocate for the environment).

Follow an appropriate code of professional conduct (e.g., a paralegal would not betray confidences).

Be ready to exert upward ethical leadership (attempt to change unethical behavior by boss).

SUSTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Adjust thermostat down in winter, up in summer.

2. Place a lawn on the roof.3. Carpool with at least three coworkers.4. Encourage use of mass transportation.5. Subsidize purchase of hybrid vehicles.6. Turn off machine when not in use.

SUSTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT, continued

7. Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs.

8. Recycle as many packages as possible; use old newspapers for packing material.

9. Use mugs instead of Styrofoam cups.

10. Get LEED certification for new buildings.

SUSTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT, concluded

11. Provide employees bicycle racks and showers.

12. Capture rainwater for irrigation.13. Grow vegetation on company

premises; celebrate by planting trees.

14. Encourage others not to drive at high speeds, or idle car while on phone.

15. Your contribution: _______________