ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

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 WorkWork

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 WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

Business AbuseBusiness Abuse

Any :Any : illegalillegal unethicalunethical irresponsible Act done irresponsible Act done

against an Employeragainst an Employer

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

Results of Results of Business AbuseBusiness Abuse

Higher prices Higher prices Business FailureBusiness Failure Fewer JobsFewer Jobs Unpleasant Working Unpleasant Working

ConditionsConditions

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

A. Examples of A. Examples of Business AbuseBusiness Abuse

StealingStealing MerchandiseMerchandise MoneyMoney * Shoplift *Kickback* Shoplift *Kickback * Conflict of Interest* Conflict of Interest * Unauthorized Discounts* Unauthorized Discounts TimeTime

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

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

VandalismVandalism Falsify RecordsFalsify Records Break ConfidentialityBreak Confidentiality Ignore Safety RulesIgnore Safety Rules Misrepresent Misrepresent

MerchandiseMerchandise

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

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

Poor Client ServicePoor Client Service Irresponsible BehaviorIrresponsible 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)

GossipGossip

* * Causes poor work Causes poor work environment (morale)environment (morale)

* Lowers Productivity* Lowers Productivity

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

1111 Harassment of Co-wks Harassment of Co-wks or Clientsor Clients

**Unwelcome sexual Unwelcome sexual advancesadvances

* Compliance as * Compliance as condition of employmentcondition of employment

* Interferes w/ wk * Interferes w/ wk performance through performance through intimidationintimidation

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

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

Everybody does itEverybody does it The co. won’t miss itThe co. won’t miss it The co. overchargesThe co. overcharges I’m not paid enoughI’m not paid enough The co. doesn’t deserve The co. doesn’t deserve

my loyaltymy loyalty

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

C. How Employers C. How Employers Respond to Respond to Business AbuseBusiness Abuse

Increase SecurityIncrease Security

* * loss prevention mgmt.loss prevention mgmt.

* surveillance* surveillance

* Networks/Helplines* Networks/Helplines

* threats of prosecution* threats of prosecution

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

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

Increase Employee LoyaltyIncrease Employee Loyalty

* * fair wages & benefitsfair wages & benefits

* fair/consistent treatment* fair/consistent treatment

* recognition for good wk* recognition for good wk

* foster family climate* foster family climate

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

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

Ignore Business AbuseIgnore Business Abuse Rationalize it awayRationalize it away Speak UpSpeak Up Discuss to Clarify IssuesDiscuss to Clarify Issues Blow the Whistle!Blow the Whistle!

ETHICS IN THE ETHICS IN THE WORKPLACEWORKPLACE

E. If You’re Unsure - E. If You’re Unsure - Before You Act -- Before You Act -- ASK:ASK:

Is this legal?Is this legal? Is it against co. policy?Is it against co. policy? Could the action cause loss Could the action cause loss

or harm to anyone?or harm to anyone? If everyone I knew saw me, If everyone I knew saw me,

would I feel uncomfortable?would I feel uncomfortable?