Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics
Organizational ethics
Organizational ethics is the ethics of an organization, and it is how an
organization ethically responds to an internal or external stimulus.
Organizational ethics is interdependent with the organizational culture.
Although, it is akin to both organizational behavior (OB) and business ethics
on the micro and macro levels, organizational ethics is neither OB, nor is it
solely business ethics (which includes corporate governance and corporate
ethics). Organizational ethics express the values of an organization to its
employees and/or other entities irrespective of governmental and/or
regulatory laws.
Overview
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) restricts the United States
business firms from engaging in bribery and other illegal practices
internationally. There are laws that have the same type of prohibition for
European companies. These laws create a disadvantage competitively for both
European and U.S. firms.[1] Such laws are not a restricting element to
organizations that have highly elevated ethical behavior as part of their
values. Organizations that lack ethical practices as a mandatory basis of their
business structure and corporate culture, have commonly been found to fail
due to the absence of business ethics; Corporate downfalls including, but are
not limited to, the recent Enron and WorldCom scandals, are two primary
examples of unethical business practices concerning questionable accounting
transactions.
Organizations focusing on encouraging ethical practices are commonly viewed
with respect by employees, the community, and corresponding industries.[2]
Ethical business practices of organizations has resulted in a solid financial
bottom-line. This has been seen through greater sales and increased revenue
by companies retaining talented personnel and attracting newly skilled
employees. More importantly, an ethical organization will have the ability to
retain employees that are experienced and knowledgeable (generally referred
to as human capital). This human capital results in less employee turnover,
less training time for new employees, and greater output regarding services
(or production of goods).
Basic Ethical Elements
There are at least four elements that aim to create an ethical culture and
behavior of employees within an organization. These elements are:
1) a written code of ethics and standards (ethical code)
2) ethics training for executives, managers, and employees
3) the availability of ethical situational advice (i.e. advice lines or offices)
4) confidential reporting systems[3]
Organizations are constantly striving for a better ethical atmosphere within
the business climate and culture. Businesses must create an ethical business
climate in order to develop an ethical organization. Otherwise saying,
companies must focus on the ethics of employees in order to create an ethical
business. Employees must know the difference between what is acceptable and
unacceptable in the workplace. These standards are found within the written
code of ethics or may be referred to as the employee handbook. These
standards are a written form of employee conduct and performance
expectations.
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The Society for Human Resource Management states that a code of ethics raises
ethical expectations, legitimizes ethical positions, encourages ethical decision-
making and prevents misconduct while providing for enforcement. As a consumer,
vendor or business owner, it may be important to know how to analyze a
firm's code of ethics to establish an understanding of the ethical
considerations it employs in business decisions.
Step 1
Identify the tone of the organization’s code of ethics. Review the
document to get a feel if the firm buys into a position of self-righteousness. See if
the company's code of ethics gives an impression that the firm strives
to meet a higher moral standard, or whether it simply serves the
company's profit motive.
Step 2
Review the code of ethics to determine if the document is clearly written and well-
organized. See if the document flows, or is difficult to read. Decide if the verbiage
makes sense, and keep your eye out for contradictions or inconsistencies. Notice if
the language is unnecessarily complex. Look for clear, everyday language that
people at every level of the company can understand easily.
Step 3
Study the company’s mission and vision statements to determine if the
code of ethics is congruent with them, or if the code of ethics doesn’t
seem match the tone or direction that these other statements seem to set.
Step 4
Read the title of the ethics document. It should be memorable, not simply
"Our Brand Inc. Code of Ethics." Check to see if the code of
ethics contains a letter from the corporate leadership, and an introduction.
Determine if the letter and introduction provide direction about how the company
should use the code of ethics, and a commitment that the business leadership
intends to apply to the ethics rules.
Step 5
Look for a clear guidance within the sections of the code of ethics regarding its
necessity, to whom the code will apply, how the company will measure behavior
the code governs. Look also for accountability and reporting protocols for
infractions against of the code.
Step 6
Determine if the code of ethics is directed toward its intended
users–the employees of the firm--or if it is just another marketing tool.
A good code of ethics will guide the employee at any level of the firm in making
business decisions that are strategically and ethically correct for the company.
The Advantages of a Code of Ethics in Organizations
A code of ethics can become more effective when it is drawn up with input from all
employees.
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A code of ethics sets out the values of a company and the way it does business.
Related Articles
A code of ethics, also called a code of conduct or ethical code, sets out the
company's values, ethics, objective and responsibilities. A well-written code of
ethics should also give guidance to employees on how to deal with certain ethical
situations. Every code of ethics is different and should reflect the company's
ethos, values and business style. Some codes are short, setting out only general
guidelines, and others are large manuals, encompassing a huge variety of
situations.
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Kraft
The Kraft code of ethics contains just 10 short rules of ethical behavior that all
employees must follow. The introduction to the Kraft code of ethics suggests that
employees should let values guide their actions in all cases. The code also stresses
that if something seems wrong, it should be addressed directly. The code includes
a speaking-up policy that requires employees to speak up if they are aware of any
violations of the code, even those they have committed themselves. The 10 rules
are: Make food that is safe to eat; market responsibly; treat people fairly; respect
the free market; compete fairy; respect the environment; deal honesty with the
government; keep honest books and records; never trade on inside information;
give Kraft Foods your complete business loyalty.
Verizon
The Verizon code of ethics is a lengthy document that contains four short core
values, followed by 16 pages of specific rules and guidelines to follow in certain
situations. The core values are integrity, respect, performance excellence and
accountability. The specific guidelines cover situations, such as how to deal with
workplace violence, alcohol use and harassment. They also cover areas of integrity
and fairness, such as how to avoid conflicts of interest and how to safeguard
company information. There is also a section on protecting Verizon's company
assets, including what to do in cases of sabotage and how to create accurate
records.
The Colgate-Palmolive code of ethics is a long document, but is broken down into
individual areas of conduct. The code is intended as a guide to all daily business
interactions and is used in conjunction with the company's business practice
guidelines. The code covers 10 areas, including: Our Relationship with Each Other;
Our Relationship with the Company; Our Relationship with Consumers; Our
Relationship with Government and the Law; Our Relationship with Society and
Our Relationship with the Environment.
Baylor College of Medicine
The Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, has a short code of ethics that sets
out basic rules and refers employees to other guidelines for more detail. For
example, the code instructs all employees to follow Baylor's Mission Statement,
Compliance Program and Conflict of Interest policy. The code includes basic
guidelines for how employees should handle business conduct; financial and
medical records; confidentiality; Baylor property; the workplace environment; and
contact with the government.
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What are the Sources of an Organization's Code of Ethics?
by Osmond Vitez, Demand Media
A main source for an organizational code of ethics is the business owner. These
individuals choose the ethical stance of their company since they are responsible
for all aspects of the organization. While managers and employees may not agree
with the business owner on his ethical values, the owner may choose to hire
individuals who agree with his ethical business stance. A business owner may also
develop an ethical code based on his personal or religious beliefs regarding how
individuals and organizations should operate in business or society.
Organizational Mission
Even businesses with a strong ethical culture may find employee attitudes,
behaviors and patterns of decision-making that could be improved. One key to
changing employee attitudes and behaviors is to be the best example yourself,
since employees need to see how well you practice the expectations set forth in
your code of ethics. Beyond that, there are a number of measures you can take to
improve your organization's ethical climate.
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Empowerment
One way to improve the ethical climate of your organization is to give employees
more power over their work. If employees have an ethical code and more control
over their work outcomes, they are likely to justify your trust in them to make the
right decision. Empowerment also can produce better results from employees,
such as more creative solutions to business problems, when implemented
effectively. Give employees a reason to act more ethically and to be more
innovative -- such as to keep their autonomy over their work -- and you will also
increase your company's efficiency.
Communication
You can't expect all employees to comply with the ethics policy without some kind
of discipline. Enforce your consequences for violations of the ethics policy evenly,
regardless of the offender's high or low status. If you don't have the time to do
this, delegate the job to a manager or HR director. Be sure to maintain careful
documentation of employee violations in case you get sued over disciplining or
terminating an employee for an ethical violation.
Change
As you look at employee behaviors and enforce your ethics policy, you might see
patterns of unethical behavior. This might indicate that some rules and procedures
need to be changed in the organization, even it affects ways of doing things that
save time or money or increase profits. From a business standpoint, the short-
term losses should be outweighed by the resulting improvement in the long-term
reputation of your business.
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