ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

Work Ethics:Work Ethics:

A group of moral A group of moral principles, standards of principles, standards of behavior, or set of values behavior, or set of values regarding proper conduct in regarding proper conduct in the workplacethe workplace

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

Relationships at Relationships at Work:Work:

-Management/owner toward -Management/owner toward client/customerclient/customer

-Management/owner toward -Management/owner toward employeesemployees

-Employee toward Employer, -Employee toward Employer, Co-workers, CustomersCo-workers, Customers

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACEBusiness Abuse:Business Abuse:Any:Any:

--IllegalIllegalillegalillegalunethicalunethicalirresponsible Act done irresponsible Act done against an Employeragainst an Employeralal-Irresponsible Act -Irresponsible Act done against done against an Employeran Employer

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

Results of Results of Business Abuse:Business Abuse:

--Higher prices Higher prices

-Business Failure-Business Failure

-Fewer Jobs-Fewer Jobs

-Unpleasant Working -Unpleasant Working ConditionsConditions

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

A. Examples of Business A. Examples of Business Abuse:Abuse:

Stealing:Stealing:

1. 1. MerchandiseMerchandise

ShopliftingShoplifting 2. Money2. Money - Kickback- Kickback - Conflict of Interest- Conflict of Interest - Unauthorized Discounts- Unauthorized Discounts 3. Time3. Time

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

A. Examples of A. Examples of Business Abuse Business Abuse (Continued)(Continued)

4. Vandalism4. Vandalism

5. Falsify Records5. Falsify Records

6. Ignore Safety Rules6. Ignore Safety Rules

7. Misrepresenting 7. Misrepresenting MerchandiseMerchandise

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

A. Examples of A. Examples of Business Abuse Business Abuse (Continued)(Continued)

8. Poor Client Service8. Poor Client Service

9. Irresponsible Behavior:9. Irresponsible Behavior:

AddictionsAddictions

--drugsdrugs

-alcohol-alcohol

-tobacco-tobacco

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

A. Examples of A. Examples of Business Abuse Business Abuse (Continued)(Continued)

10. Gossip:10. Gossip:

--Causes poor work Causes poor work environment (morale)environment (morale)

- Lowers Productivity- Lowers Productivity

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

11. 11. Harassment of Co-wks or Harassment of Co-wks or ClientsClients

--Unwelcome sexual Unwelcome sexual advancesadvances

-Compliance as condition of -Compliance as condition of employmentemployment

- Interferes with work - Interferes with work performance through performance through intimidationintimidation

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

How Do We Rationalize How Do We Rationalize Business Abuse?Business Abuse?

-Everybody does it-Everybody does it

-The company won’t miss it-The company won’t miss it

-The company overcharges-The company overcharges

-I’m not paid enough-I’m not paid enough

-The company doesn’t deserve my -The company doesn’t deserve my loyaltyloyalty

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

How Employers How Employers Respond to Respond to Business AbuseBusiness Abuse

1. Increased Security:1. Increased Security:

-Surveillance cameras-Surveillance cameras

-Networks/Helplines-Networks/Helplines

-Threats of prosecution-Threats of prosecution

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

How Employers How Employers Respond to Business Respond to Business Abuse (Continued)Abuse (Continued)

2. Increase Employee Loyalty2. Increase Employee Loyalty

--fair wages & benefitsfair wages & benefits

- fair/consistent treatment- fair/consistent treatment

-recognition for good work-recognition for good work

-foster family climate-foster family climate

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

As Employees, What As Employees, What Are Our Choices?Are Our Choices?

-Ignore Business Abuse-Ignore Business Abuse

-Rationalize it away-Rationalize it away

-Speak Up-Speak Up

-Discuss to Clarify Issues-Discuss to Clarify Issues

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

If You’re Unsure, Before You Act -- If You’re Unsure, Before You Act -- ASK:ASK:

1. Is this legal?1. Is this legal?

2. Is it against co. policy?2. Is it against co. policy?

3. Could the action cause 3. Could the action cause loss or loss or

harm to anyone?harm to anyone?

4. If everyone I knew saw 4. If everyone I knew saw me,would I feel me,would I feel uncomfortable?uncomfortable?