Objectives n Differentiate between ethics and business ethics n Discuss benefits of managing ethics in the workplace n Identify characteristics of ethics programs n Determine types of ethics tools n Discuss methods to resolve ethical dilemmas

What’s the Difference Between Ethics & Business Ethics? n Ethics: rules that direct conduct & moral judgments; fundamental ground rules that guide our lives n Business Ethics: knowing what’s right or wrong in the workplace and doing the right thing

Why Manage Ethics? n Managing ethics in the workplace involves identifying and prioritizing values to guide behaviors in the organization and establishing policies/procedures to ensure those behaviors are conducted

Benefits of Managing Ethics n Promotes strong public image n Cultivates strong teamwork & productivity n Supports greater consistency in standards & qualities of products n Strengthens organizational culture n Creates greater sensitivity to impact or organizational values & messages n Helps avoid criminal acts

Ethics Programs: n Establish organizational roles to manage ethics (usually starts at top) n Establish required operating values & behaviors n Coordinate organizational behaviors with operating values n Develop awareness to ethical issues n Structure steps to resolve ethical dilemmas n Maintain ongoing evaluation & updates to program

Ethics Tools: Code of Ethics n Specifies ethical rules of operation within organization n Should be updated at least once a year

Ethics Tools: Policies & Procedures n Written statements that guide organizations that aim to produce behaviors preferred from code of ethics n Ex: training on ethical behavior, rewards for ethical behavior, punishment for unethical behavior

Ethics Tools: Training n All staff members must be trained about the organization’s ethics program and their role in it n Most organizations involve staff in review of ethics codes and policies n Training should involve staff members practicing how to resolve ethical dilemmas

How Do I Resolve an Ethical Dilemma? n Possibilities that can be used for resolution: –ethical checklist –report dilemma to supervisor/authorities –read company’s guidelines for making ethical decisions

Summary n Business ethics involve doing what’s right at work n Many organizations are establishing ethical programs to ensure proper behaviors are conducted n Managing ethics in the workplace can lead to stronger public image and organizational culture, cultivate strong teamwork, and promote greater consistency in qualities of products n Ethics programs establish required operating behaviors, develop an awareness to ethical issues, and offer assistance in how to resolve ethical situations n Ethics tools used in the workplace include codes of ethics, policies & procedures, and training n Ethical dilemmas can be resolved by completing an ethical checklist or reporting any unethical behavior