Ethics: Personal and Business Ellen Freeman-Wakefield Director of Professional Programs University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Public Administration Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethics What ethical principles that you acquired during childhood still guide you today? Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethics Vocabulary OBLIGATION VIRTUE CHARACTER SELF - RESPECT IDEALS HONSETY RESPONSIBILITY PROFESSIONALISM COURAGE MORALS Women and Administration, June, 2016

What is Ethics? The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by the individual in relationship to others The moral science as a whole including moral philosophy and customary, civil and religious laws. Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary Women and Administration, June, 2016

What is Ethics? Rules or standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession Any set of moral principals or values Moral quality of a course of action, fitness, propriety Women and Administration, June, 2016

Question? Is it ethical while you are here to cut sessions, if your university paid for you to attend? Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethical Choices What you find is that the tough ethical choices are not between good and evil, but rather between two goods: Truth versus Loyalty Short term versus long term Justice versus Mercy Individual versus Community Women and Administration, June, 2016

Why Ethics is Central to Leadership Influence dimension - of leadership requires the leader to have the impact on the lives of followers Power and Control - differences create enormous ethical responsibilities for leader’s Respect for persons - sensitive to followers’ own interests, and needs Leaders help to establish and reinforce organizational values – provide an ethical climate Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethical Leadership Combines ethical behavior with ethical decision making Requires the leader to foster ethical organizational behavior Women and Administration, June, 2016

Principles of Ethical Leadership Respects Others Serves Others Shows Justice Manifests Honesty Builds Community Ethical Leadership Women and Administration, June, 2016

Principles of Ethical Leadership Ethics – is central to leadership because of: – The process of influence – The need to engage followers to accomplish mutual goals – The impact leaders have on establishing the organization’s values and in public management establishing and keeping public trust Ethical Leadership Women and Administration, June, 2016

Principles of Ethical Leadership Treating others as ends in themselves (their own goals) rather than as a means (to leaders’ personal goals) Women and Administration, June, 2016 RESPECT OTHERS RESPECT OTHERS

Principles of Ethical Leadership Follower centered – Based on the altruistic principals of placing followers foremost in the leaders plans Women and Administration, June, 2016 SERVE OTHERS

Principles of Ethical Leadership Ethical leaders are concerned with issues of fairness and justice; they place issues of fairness at the center of their decision making Women and Administration, June, 2016 JUSTICE

Principles of Ethical Leadership Honest leaders are authentic but also sensitive to the feelings and attitudes of others Women and Administration, June, 2016 HONEST

Principles of Ethical Leadership Concern for the common good means leaders cannot impose their will on others; they search for goals that are compatible with everyone Women and Administration, June, 2016 Building Community

What about ……… Values Morals Character Law Women and Administration, June, 2016

Values Acts, customs or institutions that a group of people regard in a favorable manner Intrinsically valuable or desirable principles or qualities Equality Freedom Hard work Women and Administration, June, 2016

Values What really matter to most of us Personal and societal beliefs “ A perfect value consists in without witness all that we could have done in front of the entire world” Nobel Laureate Gabriela Mistral Women and Administration, June, 2016

Morals A set of rules or modes of conduct upon which society is based, very similar to ethics Four points to remember: – Moral rules are important – Morality consists of universal rules – Morals are objective – Morality affects people Conforms to accepted rules of right and wrong Established by society Women and Administration, June, 2016

Character Ethics is not only about how we think and act, it is also about character Pattern of behavior or personality trait of an individual or group that denotes moral strength Drives what we do when no-one is looking Women and Administration, June, 2016

Character Involves a choice to act morally at all times We build character by how we live, thinking good thoughts, performing good acts. – Similarly bad thoughts = bad behavior Character pertains to organizations too. Women and Administration, June, 2016

Laws A set of rules and regulations designed to express the needs of and to control a society Protect people from despicable affronts to morality, such as rape, murder and theft Needed to maintain for a function society Change to reflect a society’s changing standards Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethics Morals and the Law Morals Principals of right and wrong Ethics A set of moral principles guiding behavior and action Laws Binding codes of conduct; formally recognized and enforced Company Policies Classification of Actions Legal Unethical Ethical Illegal Unethical but legal Ethical but Illegal Women and Administration, June, 2016

Illegal but ethical Do you consider the following illegal but ethical? – Running a red light if someone’s life depended on it – Allow someone else to use your asthma inhaler – Leasing a car or apartment in your name for a homeless family member Women and Administration, June, 2016

Legal but unethical Do you consider the following legal but ethical? – Legal to operate a pyramid scheme, but unethical to promise they will make $40K a week – Nike: Overseas sweatshop – Privatization of the world’s water supply Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethical Dilemmas or Landmines Like unexploded bombs, issues must be defused before they blow up – Company expectations for employee commitment – Pressure from managers and co-workers – Opportunities for unethical behavior – Internal pressure in the form of personal ambitious – External forces such as family needs Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethical Dilemmas or Landmines Personal reputations, legal standing, company’s public name at risk Much is at the stake for companies and individuals in facing ethical dilemmas Women and Administration, June, 2016

Duty Based Ethical Decision Making One has the duty or obligation to do the right thing, regardless of outcome An act is moral if it could become a universal rule for society To consider the morality of an act, one must consider the perspective of both doer and recipient Women and Administration, June, 2016

Utilitarian Ethical Decision Making Moral behavior is tied to the common good Results are the measure of moral behavior, not the intent An act is good if it results in the greatest benefit for the most people Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Ethics: A group of moral principles, standards of behavior, or set of values regarding proper conduct in the workplace Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics Relationships at Work Management/owner toward community Management/owner toward Mayor and City Council Employee toward Church, Minister, and Board Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics Business Abuse: Any, Illegal, unethical irresponsible act done against an employer resulting in: Higher prices Business Failure Fewer Jobs Unpleasant Working Conditions Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics Examples of Work Place Abuse Stealing Merchandise Money * Shoplift * Kickback * Conflict of Interest * Unauthorized Discounts Time Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics Examples of Work Place Abuse Vandalism Falsify Records Break Confidentiality Ignore Safety Rules Misrepresent Merchandise Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics Examples of Work Place Abuse Poor Client Service Irresponsible Behavior Addictions * drugs * alcohol * tobacco Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics Examples of Work Place Abuse Sexual Harassment – Harassment of Co-worker or member of the congregation – Unwelcome sexual advances – Compliance as condition of employment – Interferes with work performance through intimidation Gossip – Cause poor work environment and lowers productivity Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics How Employers Respond to Work Place Abuse Increase Security – loss prevention management. – surveillance – Networks – Helplines – Threats of prosecution Increase Employee Loyalty −fair wages & benefits −fair/consistent treatment −recognition for good work − foster family climate Women and Administration, June, 2016

Work Place Ethics As Employees, What Are your Choices? Ignore the abuse Rationalize it away Speak Up Discuss to Clarify Issues Blow the Whistle! Women and Administration, June, 2016

Ethical Decision Making Model STOP AND THINK CLARIFY GOALS DETER- MINE FACTS DEVELOP OPTIONS CONSIDER CONSE- QUENCES CHOOSE MONITOR AND MODIFY Women and Administration, June, 2016

Determining an ethical action: Seven practical steps Is the actions legal? How will it make me feel about myself? Is it fair to all concerned? Is it the truth? Women and Administration, June, 2016

Determining an ethical action: Seven practical steps Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it cause anyone personal loss or pain, or violate confidentiality, or harm somebody in any other way? Is there a conflict of interest? Women and Administration, June, 2016

Final Thought “If…. You can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.” Catherine Aird Women and Administration, June, 2016