what can a person ethically do when a course of action benefits some employees and hurts others

by Birdie Cassin 8 min read

Why is it important to promote ethical conduct among your employees?

It should act as a moral compass that guides employees in handling ethical dilemmas. Ethical conduct will ensure that your business maintains a reputation of professional principles and values. Here are a few ways managers can promote ethical conduct among their staff.

Can an employer be tried for workplace ethics?

Employers are also bound to workplace ethics and may also be tried for unethical behavior. It is common for managers, employers and major decision-makers to use their position in the workplace to influence the hiring decision in exchange for sex.

Why is it important to be cautious in handling workplace ethics?

The cautious handling of workplace ethics issues can resolve personal and business dilemmas. By identifying the alternatives, the next step can take place. Using ethical reasoning to decide on a course of action.

What is an example of ethical conduct in the workplace?

“Employees are charged with conducting their business affairs in accordance with the highest ethical standards,” reads one such example. “Moral as well as legal obligations will be fulfilled in a manner which will reflect pride on the Company’s name.”

How can we make ethical decisions and actions?

Steps to Ethical Decision MakingStep 1: Identify the problem. ... Step 2: Identify the potential issues involved. ... Step 3: Review relevant ethical guidelines. ... Step 4: Know relevant laws and regulations. ... Step 5: Obtain consultation. ... Step 6: Consider possible and probable courses of action.More items...

What are the 5 ethical actions?

What are the 5 ethical approaches to decision making?Utilitarianism.Moral human rights.Fairness and justice.For the common good.Virtue.

How do you resolve ethical issues in the workplace?

Build a culture of integrity — from the top down.Talk about the importance of ethics.Keep employees adequately informed about issues that impact them.Uphold promises and commitments to employees and stakeholders.Acknowledge and reward ethical conduct.Hold accountable those who violate standards, especially leaders.More items...•

How do you treat someone ethically?

Do no harm.Do and say nothing that may bring harm to another person, shame them for any reason, and avoid bullying behavior. Contribute to the betterment of others.Do something every day to show kindness to others. It can be something as simple as saying “thank you” or complimenting someone.

What are ethical actions?

Ethical behaviour is characterized by honesty, fairness and equity in interpersonal, professional and academic relationships and in research and scholarly activities. Ethical behaviour respects the dignity, diversity and rights of individuals and groups of people.

Why should we perform ethically right actions?

We need to be ethical because it defines who we are individually and as a society. These are norms of behavior that everyone should follow. Our society might fall into chaos if we accept that each of us could pick and choose what the right thing to do is.

How can ethics be improved in the workplace?

Top 10 Tips for... Improving Ethics in the WorkplaceCreate a code. ... Engage with your employees and customers. ... Reinforce the benefits of the code. ... Be a good role model. ... Train your employees. ... Promote your ethical behaviour. ... Reward ethical behaviour. ... Learn from your mistakes.More items...

What is an ethical person and how should she he behave?

ethical Add to list Share. For someone who is honest and follows good moral standards, use the adjective ethical. An ethical teacher will grade your papers honestly — even if she catches you sticking your tongue out at her.

What are some examples of ethical behavior in the workplace?

Examples of ethical behaviors in the workplace includes; obeying the company's rules, effective communication, taking responsibility, accountability, professionalism, trust and mutual respect for your colleagues at work. These examples of ethical behaviors ensures maximum productivity output at work.

How do you address ethical issues?

A 10-Step Process for Resolving Ethical IssuesIdentify the problem as you see it.Get the story straight—gather relevant data. ... Ask yourself if the problem is a regulatory issue or a process issue related to regulatory requirements.Compare the issue to a specific rule in ASHA's Code of Ethics.More items...

What are ethical issues?

Ethical issues exist, in a broad sense, whenever one’s actions affect others. In the workplace, a manager’s decisions might affect employees, customers, suppliers, creditors and shareholders. These are the stakeholders of an organization. Identify alternative courses of action.

What is ethical reasoning?

Using ethical reasoning to decide on a course of action. Ethical reasoning skills are essential to making ethical decisions. A variety of methods exist including: Egoism: Egoism looks at each decision by considering the effects of a decision only as it relates to the individual decision-maker.

Why do ethicists dismiss the egoism method?

Most ethicists dismiss this method because it fails to consider the consequences on the stakeholders. For example, if a CEO or CFO is dealing with financial statement reporting and wants the statements to look as good as possible regardless of the rules and effects on others, then egoism rules the day.

Why is value based decision making important?

Values-based decision making can be a complimentary thought process because the ethical values to be emphasized in the workplace mirror the rights and obligations approach. Decision makers should act in accordance with certain virtues of behavior, or character traits, such as truthfulness, trustworthiness, respect, fairness, responsibility, ...

What is unethical decision?

Unethical decisions can lead to cover-up and more unethical decisions down the road. Remember, ethics is about what you do when no one is looking. In other words, you are what you do and ethical people are motivated to do the right thing, not make a decision based on selfishness – egoism.

What is utilitarianism in law?

Utilitarianism: Here the decision-maker evaluates harms and benefits of alternative decisions using a calculus/weighting approach. Under act utilitarianism, the decision would be to select the act where the benefits to the stakeholders exceed the harms (i.e., net benefits are greater than any other act I might take).

What is an alternative to utilitarianism?

An alternative is to apply rule-utilitarianism where regardless of utilitarian benefits certain rules should never be violated, such as always follow proper accounting rules regardless of the consequences on others.

What is workplace ethics?

Workplace ethics are a dynamic set of values that vary with people and their definition of a workplace. For some, it is a physical office they go to every day, while others, their home office. It doesn't matter whether you work from home or commute to work everyday, workplace ethic is required to build a successful career.

What is the definition of ethics in the workplace?

Workplace ethics are the set of values, moral principles, and standards that need to be followed by both employers and employees in the workplace. It is the set of rules and regulations that need to be followed by all staff of the workplace.

What are the things that can affect productivity?

Unfriendly Work Environment. One of the things that can mar productivity is an unfriendly working environment. This may come as a combination of abusive bosses, lack of commendation, nepotism, etc. An unfriendly environment is an environment that combines various unethical behaviors into one. Unrealistic Expectations.

How does professional relationship improve productivity?

Developing professional relationships with coworkers or other professionals outside the workplace will also directly or indirectly improve productivity. Professional relationships between low-level and high-level employees will make it easier for ideas to be shared and knowledge to be passed to junior employees.

What are some examples of ethical behavior?

Examples of ethical behaviors in the workplace includes; obeying the company's rules, effective communication, taking responsibility, accountability, professionalism, trust and mutual respect for your colleagues at work. These examples of ethical behaviors ensures maximum productivity output at work.

Why is it important to take responsibility for decisions made in a team?

This is, in fact, a leadership trait that every employee who is looking to take up a managerial position in the future should exhibit.

What does a manager do at the end of a year?

The manager is meant to oversee how this money is spent. If at the end of the year, the manager can not make an account of how the money was spent, he may then be suspected of stealing company funds. Uphold Trust. An employee should not do anything that may make his or her employee withdraw trust.

Why is ethical conduct important?

It should act as a moral compass that guides employees in handling ethical dilemmas. Ethical conduct will ensure that your business maintains a reputation of professional principles and values. Here are a few ways managers can promote ethical conduct among their staff.

How do managers want their staff to behave ethically?

If managers want their staff to behave ethically then they must understand that it starts with them. Employees generally follow the examples set forth for them by management. If managers hold themselves to a high standard of ethical behavior then they have credibility when they expect the same thing from their employees.

Why is it hypocritical to be respectful to your staff?

When managers are respectful to their staff they are able to develop a trusting relationship that encourages ethical behavior.

Should employees follow code of ethics?

Training. You can’t expect your employees to follow your code of ethics if they don’t know what it is. As part of the onboarding process employees should be educated on your code of ethics and why it’s important. They should also have a clear understanding of the ramifications if they fail to behave ethically.

Do companies expect ethical behavior?

Oftentimes companies expect ethical behavior but they fail to acknowledge it. If managers really want to promote ethical behavior they need to reward it when they see it. If a manager catches an employee doing something right, they should stop and thank them.

What percentage of employees report seeing ethical misconduct in the past 12 months?

But despite progress, 41% of workers reported seeing ethical misconduct in the previous 12 months, and 10% felt organizational pressure to compromise ethical standards.

What does it mean when a manager reacts to an employee's concerns?

A manager’s reactions to an employee’s concerns sets the tone for whether or not people will raise future issues. If a leader reacts with even the slightest bit of annoyance, they are signaling they don’t really want to hear concerns. There is excessive pressure to reach unrealistic performance targets.

Can leaders control misinterpretation?

While they can’t control every possible misinterpretation , leaders who know their people well make careful choices in how they react to stressful situations, confront poor performance, how politic they are in the face of controversy, and how receptive they are to bad news.

What happens when an organization makes unethical decisions?

Unfortunately, when an organization’s leadership makes unethical decisions or even asks employees to conduct business in an unethical matter , this can permeate the company culture and the ethical decision-making process of the entire organization.

How to avoid feeling bad if you don't take action?

Gain perspective: Try to understand what is motivating the unethical request or action. This perspective can help form a response, particularly if there is an ethical way to achieve the same goal.

Do you want to stay in a position where you are asked to violate your morals?

While this may put an economic burden on you, in the long run, you don’t want to stay in a position where you’re asked to violate your morals or where advancement requires unethical behavior.

What Is Workplace Ethics?

Examples of Ethical Behaviors in The Workplace

  • Examples of ethical behaviors in the workplace includes; obeying the company's rules, effective communication, taking responsibility, accountability, professionalism, trust and mutual respect for your colleagues at work. These examples of ethical behaviors ensures maximum productivity output at work. And could be pivotal for career growth. 1. Obey The Company’s Rules & Regulati…
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Management/Employers Unethical Behaviors

  • Workplace ethics is not for employees alone. Employers are also bound to workplace ethics and may also be tried for unethical behavior. 1. Sex for Job/Promotion It is common for managers, employers and major decision-makers to use their position in the workplace to influence the hiring decision in exchange for sex. 1. Late Night Out/Unpaid Overtime Some employers take advantag…
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Advantages and Implications of Workplace Ethics

  1. It can stimulate positive employee behavior and create a positive ambiance in the workplace
  2. Ensures management guides and mentors their employees in a healthy environment
  3. A workplace with good ethics usually strengthens the bond employees have with their superior
  4. It boosts productivity through employee performance and job satisfaction which in turn increases company growth.
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