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Values and Ethics

Dr. Fred Mugambi MwirigiJKUAT

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Preamble

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with

reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Article 1 of the 1948 UN “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”

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Definitions Ethos: Greek word for “character” and “customs”

(traditions)

Ethic: “a set of moral principles; a guiding philosophy; a consciousness of moral importance (a work ethic, a conservation ethic)”

Ethics: “the discipline of what is good or bad, with moral duty / obligation; principles of conduct governing an individual or group”

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Definition of Ethics Principles that guide an individual’s conduct in

his/her day-to-day operations and his/her relationship with the environment within which he/she exists and operates.

The rules of conduct that guide the moral personality of an individual or enterprise and their interface with their operating environment.

A group of moral principles, standards of behaviour or set of values regarding proper conduct

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Definition of Values Fundamental belief systems that form the basis

for the development or adoption of ethical patterns of behavior.

The bedrock upon which an ethical personality is built.

Moral justifications of all the actions that a person decides to take (or not to take) in the course of his/her operations.

Human values emphasize the responsibilities that enable the aspiration of the organization to be protected, safeguarded, and fulfilled.

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Ethics and Performance Ethics influences the way people:

Perform duties at and away from work Enact attitudes Enact behavior Make decisions Relate to others Carry out your responsibilities Plan for the future

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How widespread is the problem of Ethics?

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Approaches to Ethics

1. Teleological theories

2. Deontological theories

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Teleological Approach Teleological approach emphasizes the

amount of good or bad embodied in the consequence of behaviors.

Teleology focuses on the consequences of the actions or behaviors of the individual

In order to make correct moral choices, we have to have some understanding of what will result from our choices.

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Contd. When we make choices which result in the correct

consequences, then we are acting morally; when we make choices which result in the incorrect consequences, then we are acting immorally.

Conforms to the maxim ‘the ends justify the means’

Explored by Plato, Aristotle and later Emmanuel Kant

Also called consequentialism

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Deontological Approach Deontological approach deals mainly with the

inherent righteousness of a behavior. Deontologists look for conformity to moral

principles to determine whether an action is ethical or not.

Deontological moral systems are characterized primarily by a focus upon adherence to independent moral rules or duties.

Conforms to the maxim ‘the means justify the ends’

Also called moral absolutism

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Sources of Ethical Norms

Fellow Workers

Family

Friends

The Law

Regions of Country

Profession

Employer

Society at Large

Seniors at work

Religious Beliefs

The Individual

Conscience

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Ethics and the Law Law often represents an ethical minimum Ethics often represents a standard that exceeds

the legal minimum

Ethics Law

Frequent Overlap

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Source of Behavior

Values

Attitudes

Behavior

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3 Models of Management Ethics

1. Immoral Management—A style devoid of ethical principles and active opposition to what is ethical.

2. Moral Management—Conforms to high standards of ethical behavior.

3. Amoral Management Intentional - does not consider ethical factors Unintentional - casual or careless about ethical

considerations in business

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3 Models of Management Ethics

Three Types Of Management Ethics

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Management Morality

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Elements of Moral Judgment

Amoral Managers Moral Managers

Moral ImaginationMoral IdentificationMoral EvaluationTolerance of Moral Disagreement and AmbiguityIntegration of Managerial and Moral CompetenceA Senses of Moral Obligation

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Ethical Issues in organizations

1. Character compromise2. Conflict between personal values and

organizational goals 3. Conflict between organizational goals and social

values4. Lying5. Withholding needed information6. Abusive or intimidating behavior toward

employees7. Misreporting actual time or hours worked8. Discrimination

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Ethical Relations Employee-Employer Relations Employer-Employee Relations Company-Customer Relations Company-Shareholder Relations Company-Community/Public Interest

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Personal Ethics Personal ethics is a branch that determines the

code of conduct one adheres to. Its a course of action an individual decides to take

up in order to reach the ultimate truth. Following a personal code of ethics brings

accountability and responsibility to life. It gives a purpose and direction, bringing out a

meaning to life. Personal ethics are huge determining factors of

ethics at the workplace.

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Important Acts of Ethics1. Honesty

2. Commitment

3. Loyalty

4. Management of rights

5. Confidentiality

6. Respect

7. Positive self regulation

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Honesty Honesty among employees is key to the growth of an

organization since it makes customers develop a strong trust in the organization and its people

Many employees sometimes find truth inconveniencing. Dishonesty may have some benefits in the short term but it

has far-reaching negative implications on the long term for both the employee and the organization.

Dishonest people cannot be trusted. Trust is a state of mind created and reinforced by particular behaviors

Always: …say what you mean … do what you say

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Dishonest employees: Exaggerate information Over-promise on what they and the

organization can deliver Cover-up important information Circumvent important organizational

processes

Ø “Remember, the best liars tell the truth most of the time.”

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Commitment Whereas some employees are very committed

others have a lot of commitment phobia commitment phobia traps you within yourself,

stealing the truth from you that you can commit. Commitment towards your workplace is the

biggest motivating ingredient. Commitment has to come from within

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Loyalty Loyalty is faithfulness towards your work. Loyalty builds a sense of trust among the

employees. It is a quality that one always wishes to find in a friend or life partner.

Disloyalty can quickly destroy an otherwise beneficial relationship between an employee and the boss or between employees themselves

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Management of Rights In national laws, each and every citizen of the

land has the right to liberty, life and property. Each one of us has a right to do what we want. However, these rights are governed by a set of

rules formed due to conditioning of the mind. These rules are called ethics. Rights must be enacted within a set of ethics Sometimes your rights and my rights might

conflict

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Respect Respect has been defined in the corporate world

as the recognition and esteem given by all employees to their seniors, superiors and colleagues.

It is professional courtesy It is the sum total of the way we think about others

and the way we treat others Respect helps to create a friendly professional

connection between hierarchies Respect in the workplace helps the organization to

function as one single body

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Confidentiality It is the employee's responsibility to treat all information

that he comes across in the organization with respect An employee should know what files or materials he is

permitted to access in the office and should adhere to that. Under no circumstances should the materials in the office

be given to outside people. Data pertaining to hiring, managing and paying employees,

should be kept secret at all times Maintaining confidentiality in the workplace is very

important as not doing the same can sometimes cause huge financial losses to the business.

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Costs of compromised ethics

Reduced Morale Reduced Productivity (Sloughing off,

Illness) Employee turnover Direct financial loss Loss of creativity and innovation

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Five Broad Ethical Traps

The false-necessity trap(convincing yourself that no other choice exists)

The doctrine-of-relative-filth trap(comparing your unethical behavior with someone else’s even more unethical behavior)

The rationalization trap(justifying unethical actions with excuses)

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The self-deception trap(persuading yourself, for example, that a lie is not really a lie)

The ends-justify-the-means trap(using unethical methods to accomplish a desirable goal)

Five Broad Ethical Traps

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Specific ethical pitfalls Abusive or intimidating behavior toward other

employees Misreporting of hours worked Withholding needed information from other

employees Discrimination Stealing, theft, or related fraud

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Specific ethical pitfalls (cont.)

Sexual harassment Falsifying financial records or reports Giving or accepting bribes, kickbacks, or

inappropriate gifts Others

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External Sources of Good Ethics

Religious values Philosophical values Cultural values Legal values Professional values

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Internal Sources of Ethics

Respect for the authority structure Loyalty Conformity Performance Results

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Are there ethical employees?

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In summary

“True ethical behavior means holding yourself to the highest level of behavior

because you want to - not because you’re afraid of getting caught and

punished”

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Thank you