Whether you’re dealing with Ethics for management versus staff or vice versa, you need to understand that moral standards do not always match legal standards. For example, if your company is in the financial industry, it may not be a good idea to set high moral standards for your employees to follow. However, if you are running a non-profit organization, it is essential to ensure that your policies are in line with the standards that your community expects.
Moral standards of ethics don’t necessarily align with a company’s legal standards
Whether you’re in the field of business or medical science, there are many ethical standards that you will need to follow. These standards of conduct are often used to build trust in a discipline and to make sure that members of the community act in the right way.
These are not always obvious. You will need to make certain choices when it comes to hiring or firing people, retaliating against a whistle blower, or engaging in ethical negotiations with customers.
There are many ethical situations you will need to navigate, including bribes, loyalty, deception, and other ethical dilemmas. While you will need to follow the law, you will also have to be prudent in order to avoid being caught in the wrong ethical situation.
The best way to go about this is to be honest with yourself and others. You should not take advantage of company resources or put your personal needs ahead of those of your employees or other stakeholders. You should also follow a personal code of conduct.
Integrity-based approach to ethics management
Using an integrity-based approach to ethics management can help organizations develop an ethical culture. It combines concern for law with an emphasis on managerial responsibility for ethical behavior. In addition to helping organizations avoid major problems, an ethics program can improve their responsiveness to employees.
Companies implementing an integrity strategy will develop and implement a guiding set of values and practices that shape the company’s decisions. These values and practices are often drawn from the company’s mission statement or a set of core values, but the design of an integrity strategy is largely flexible. Some companies will focus on developing a code of conduct, while others will emphasize aspirations and decision-making processes.
In the past decade, a number of companies have launched initiatives aimed at improving their integrity. Many of these initiatives have made unexpected contributions to their work environment, relationships with key partners, and competitiveness.
Integrity may be understood as an act, or as a state of wholeness. It is often a result of deliberation and reflection. It can also be thought of as an ethos or overarching super-virtue.
Creating a climate that encourages exemplary conduct
Creating a climate that encourages exemplary conduct for management versus staff can be a daunting task. It’s no secret that organizational ethics is more than avoiding illegal conduct. To that end, managers should take note of the various ways in which they can shape a positive environment in which employees can thrive. To that end, the best way to do this is to be proactive and receptive to their employees’ needs and concerns.
One of the most important elements to consider is the aforementioned attribution. The best way to foster this type of culture is to provide appropriate training and education to managers, supervisors, and employees. This should be a part of a company’s regular onboarding, as well as ad hoc discussions at employee meetings. It’s also a good idea to recite the company’s mission statement, values, and perks on a regular basis. If you’re not doing this, your organization is unlikely to succeed.
