IBM 224

ETHICS IN WORKPLACE

Topic 5 14TH August 2023

 Unit Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1. Explain basic concepts of ethics in workplace.

2. Outline and discuss some examples of ethics in workplace.
3. List and explain some unethical practices in the workplace.
4. Discuss benefits of practicing ethics in workplace.
5. Explain how to create ethical workplace.
 VIDEO

Students will watch a video in relate to Ethics in

Workplace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqqk1FUyIrw
 WHAT ARE WORKPLACE ETHICS?

Ethics in the workplace are the moral

PRINCIPLES, VALUES & STANDARDS Good work ethics play an
that guide the actions and interactions of important role in bringing
employees & employers. benefits to a business in many
ways.

Workplace ethics reflect the companies’ culture This refers to how a company
and influence how they serve their clients and conducts business, interacts with
treat their employees. others internally and externally
and how they treat suppliers and
Workplace ethics can influence company morale, customers.
employee behavior, performance and other
aspects related to the workplace environment.
 WHAT ARE WORKPLACE ETHICS?

Strong ethics attract customers/clients who appreciate

honest services that will then boost the sales and profits
of your company.

Having a respectable reputation also helps to attract new

customers and builds higher loyalty among customers.

For public-listed companies, having a strong ethical

behaviour and corporate social responsibility would bring
confidence in investors, thereby maintaining the
high value of the company’s position in the
marketplace.
 EXAPLES OF COMMON ETHICS IN
ORGANIZATIONS?

1. INTEGRITY: 2. HONEST:

Integrity is the “quality of being honest You do not deceive others by giving out misleading
and having strong moral principles, a information. This includes the truthful way of
personal code of conduct that goes conduct that is usually without the intention of
above the level of good conduct. lying, cheating or any form of falsification.

Employees with integrity are usually Customers only deal with a business or a service
the ones you can count on, the ones provider whom they trust. In a workplace, an
with the highest moral values and the honest employee is the one you can rely on to
ones who are bent on doing the right continue doing their best in their jobs for the
thing at all times. company’s benefits.
 EXAPLES OF COMMON ETHICS IN
ORGANIZATIONS?

3. DISCIPLINE: 4. HONEST:

At times, an employee may be talented in his line of No matter what kind of position you hold within an
work but lacks the commitment and dedication to organization, your actions must be fair and just.
complete the tasks given. It requires a certain level of
discipline to not only complete the tasks within a This will ensure a positive work culture in your
certain time frame but to also execute them well, organisation.
instead of doing just the bare minimum at the very last
minute. Always remember that every one of your staff
deserves to be treated with respect and dignity,
Disciplined employees are extremely important as they regardless of who they are or which position they are
ensure that all assignments and projects are delivered at.
and executed in a timely manner.
 EXAPLES OF COMMON ETHICS IN
ORGANIZATIONS?

5. RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE

If an employee has a strong sense of responsibility, he or

she would undoubtedly turn up for work on time and
complete the tasks given with the best effort that he or
she can offer.

In certain scenarios, an ethical manager will take

accountability for their staff or colleagues for reasons
that are not for self-interest but for the well-being of all
parties involved.
 MORE EXAPLES OF COMMON ETHICS IN
ORGANIZATIONS?

 Keep sensitive information private

 Respect company property
 Adhere to the law
 Create an open line of communication
 Prioritize customers' needs
 Follow the dress code
 Discuss issues directly with management
 Workplace diversity
 Take advantage of ethics training
 Respect colleagues and clients
 Report conflicts of interest
Some Examples of unethical practices in
the workplace.
• Preferential Treatment. Employees who receive special treatment at work, whether from patronage,
friendship, or sexual and/or romantic relationships, are privy to unfair and unethical favoritism, which should
be reported by fellow employees.
• Gossiping. Spreading untrue rumors about colleagues, company projects and plans, or anything else related to
work culture is both unethical and indicative that an employee cannot be trusted when it comes to discretion
and privacy.
• Dishonesty. This can manifest in several different ways, though common ones include taking credit for other
people’s work or misleading information about progress on a project. Dishonesty comes in many different
forms and is another trait that can derail an employee’s career no matter how small or harmless it may seem in
the moment.
• Selfishness. Thinking only of your own interests, even in seemingly insignificant situations such as hoarding
office supplies, leaving dishes unwashed in the kitchen, not remaking coffee or refilling the printer paper, is not
a behavior conducive to cooperation, and is likely to be considered inconsiderate or even unethical by co-
workers.
 HR & ETHICS IN WORKPLACE

At the workplace, HR plays an important part in

A strong ethical culture will attract
hiring professionals with good ethics right from
more talents who share the same
the start.
ethics and values, reducing the costs
Having an honest, hardworking
of recruitment and enable the
workforce with high values in integrity
company to obtain a pool of talented
will not only improve the company’s
employees in its workforce.
business and reputation but also lift the
overall morale of the employees.
BENEFITS OF ETHICS IN WORKPLACE

 Build trusting relationships

 Boost employee collaboration
 Make employees feel valued
 Promote individual well-being
 Strengthen company reputation
HOW TO CREATE AN ETHICAL WORKSPACE?
 Lead by example
Is a leadership style where you model the behavior you want to see in your team members. When you lead by
example, you don't just push team members towards excellence—rather, you actively demonstrate that
excellence.
 Allow employees to report unethical behaviour
Reporting unethical practices in workplace can help you address and change unethical behavior before it becomes
an issue.
 Outline the consequences
When employees are aware of the repercussions for poor behavior, it motivates them to avoid these practices.
Make employees aware that if they exhibit unethical behavior, it can lead to various consequences such as written
or verbal warnings, suspension or termination.
 Promote teamwork
Ensure your employees understand the importance of collaboration. Do this by communicating the importance of
teamwork to your current employees.
 ROLES OF WORK ETHICS
1) Punctuality: completing projects when due, showing up on time, following break-time protocol, and informing supervisors of
challenges in a timely manner are all efforts that respect the value of time in the workplace.
2) Accountability: employees and employers alike should be held accountable in their work efforts, meaning they shoulder the
responsibility for ongoing projects and take the blame for errors when necessary.
3) Focus: in order to efficiently accomplish a task, an employee must remain focused and avoid the distractions of chatter, social
media, technology, etc.
4) Initiative: this is when an employee does something productive or useful to the company without being asked. Strong
employees care not about ticking off items on a to-do list but doing what needs to be done for the betterment of the
organization. Showing initiative in work efforts indicates to management that an employee values success.
5) Productivity: productivity hinges upon an employee’s ability to overcome distractions, ignore external influences, and
conquering obstacles that inhibit them from performing their task.
6) Professionalism: being present in their work culture, employees who exhibit professionalism show up and take their work
seriously, staying respectful of others and dressing appropriately.
7) Dedication: dedication means consistency and showing up ready to accomplish tasks daily, all while maintaining focus and
productivity.
8) Desire to Improve: employees who embrace feedback and learning moments show that they are willing to work to grow in
their careers.
 VIDEO

A video about Elon Mask’s Work Ethics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H4z1g-eHyU
 References

Ferrell. O. C., Fraedrich. J. & Ferrell. L. (2017). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. 11 Ed. PART
1: AN OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS ETHICS. Cengage Learning 20 Channel Center Street Boston, MA
02210 USA

Ferrell. O. C., Fraedrich. J. & Ferrell. L. (2011). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. 8 Ed. PART
1: AN OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS ETHICS. South-Western Cengage Learning 5191 Natorp Boulevard
Mason, OH 45040 USA

Hartman. L. P., DesJardins. J., & MacDonald. C. (2018). “Business Ethics: Decision Making for Personal
Integrity and Social Responsibilities. 4TH Ed. Chapter 1: Ethics and Business.