Workplace Ethics: A Top-Down Approach
Workplace ethics are normally driven by the business ethics of organizations. It would be incorrect to understand and apply them in isolation. When business ethics are compromised for doing business in an easy way and maximizing profits by any process, work ethics concerning employees' behavior cannot be expected to be at a higher level because building an ethical work culture is said to be a top-down approach.
Corporate Espionage and Ethical Challenges
A recent corporate espionage case, where certain middle-level employees were found involved, raises bigger questions regarding business ethics as well as workplace ethics. These events have contributed to ever-growing cynicism and even a sense of futility about the values and ethics of business houses. The trend of unethical behavior seems closely related to today’s business climate. Although it is generally said and felt that in India business cannot be done ethically, and similarly, employees feel there is no positive takeaway for working honestly with high ethical standards, it is time-tested that only those businesses survive for long whose foundation is laid on an ethical culture as a part of their business strategy.
The Role of Leadership in Building Ethical Culture
The question is whose job it is to build an ethical work culture and establish workplace ethics: the business leader, the employees at all levels, or the stringent rules and regulations? The fact is that it is not about individual action but all about leadership. It is for the leader to set the tone and communicate what is important for the organization, what is allowed, and where the boundaries of action lie. Leaders cannot create such a culture by rules and regulations alone. Only lip service and written documents of value missions are not going to work. It has to be a collaborative effort where employees need to learn to voice and enact their values more effectively and persuasively, and leaders need to create an environment where such voices are heard and welcomed. Learning to hear dissenting voices is the first step in the direction of establishing workplace ethics. A culture embedded with workplace ethics is the product of thousands of different processes that take place in any business every day. These processes must be healthy and ethical, with integrity, which in turn helps build a strong base of workplace ethics and values. In this process, you have to tell people about ethics and values, identify them in terms of action, enforce them through rules and policies, display them, and at last be certain that as a leader, your conduct models what you expect from your internal as well as external stakeholders.
Cover Story on Workplace Ethics
This time, the cover story on workplace ethics raises certain questions and challenges to establish an ethical work culture, its way out, and a few tips for HR to move forward. It is all from the pen of renowned human behavior experts in business HR.
If you like it, let us know. If not, well, let us know that too.
Regards
From India, Delhi
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181Workplace ethics are normally driven by the business ethics of organizations. It would be incorrect to understand and apply them in isolation. When business ethics are compromised for doing business in an easy way and maximizing profits by any process, work ethics concerning employees' behavior cannot be expected to be at a higher level because building an ethical work culture is said to be a top-down approach.
Corporate Espionage and Ethical Challenges
A recent corporate espionage case, where certain middle-level employees were found involved, raises bigger questions regarding business ethics as well as workplace ethics. These events have contributed to ever-growing cynicism and even a sense of futility about the values and ethics of business houses. The trend of unethical behavior seems closely related to today’s business climate. Although it is generally said and felt that in India business cannot be done ethically, and similarly, employees feel there is no positive takeaway for working honestly with high ethical standards, it is time-tested that only those businesses survive for long whose foundation is laid on an ethical culture as a part of their business strategy.
The Role of Leadership in Building Ethical Culture
The question is whose job it is to build an ethical work culture and establish workplace ethics: the business leader, the employees at all levels, or the stringent rules and regulations? The fact is that it is not about individual action but all about leadership. It is for the leader to set the tone and communicate what is important for the organization, what is allowed, and where the boundaries of action lie. Leaders cannot create such a culture by rules and regulations alone. Only lip service and written documents of value missions are not going to work. It has to be a collaborative effort where employees need to learn to voice and enact their values more effectively and persuasively, and leaders need to create an environment where such voices are heard and welcomed. Learning to hear dissenting voices is the first step in the direction of establishing workplace ethics. A culture embedded with workplace ethics is the product of thousands of different processes that take place in any business every day. These processes must be healthy and ethical, with integrity, which in turn helps build a strong base of workplace ethics and values. In this process, you have to tell people about ethics and values, identify them in terms of action, enforce them through rules and policies, display them, and at last be certain that as a leader, your conduct models what you expect from your internal as well as external stakeholders.
Cover Story on Workplace Ethics
This time, the cover story on workplace ethics raises certain questions and challenges to establish an ethical work culture, its way out, and a few tips for HR to move forward. It is all from the pen of renowned human behavior experts in business HR.
If you like it, let us know. If not, well, let us know that too.
Regards
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(2)Amend(0)
Ethics in Business and Government
This is a topical article considering that ethics are being violated by some. Getting information in the wrong manner by compromising themselves as well as officials is no way of getting ahead in the rat race. Top management needs to have deep thoughts on the way of doing business. Unless there is some sort of complicity—direct or indirect—from the top brass, no lower-level executive would place himself in a position of getting into legal violations. With profit being the prime mover in many businesses, seeking advantage in whichever and whatever manner possible has become a rule. The way things go on in our nation is sad.
When information is legitimately sought through RTI, information is denied or records are not available, but sensitive information is available for sale. Sunlight should fall strongly on decision-making by Government agencies. Procedures and steps of decision-making should be transparent, prescribed in written form, and accessible to the general public. That will reduce the scope for such illegalities, where people compromise themselves for a few thousands and clog the legal systems with cases.
India is computer-savvy, so why not digitize Government records instead of filing papers that can conveniently get misplaced? Eventually, it boils down to personal ethics—both business people and government officials.
Regards
From India, Pune
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
This is a topical article considering that ethics are being violated by some. Getting information in the wrong manner by compromising themselves as well as officials is no way of getting ahead in the rat race. Top management needs to have deep thoughts on the way of doing business. Unless there is some sort of complicity—direct or indirect—from the top brass, no lower-level executive would place himself in a position of getting into legal violations. With profit being the prime mover in many businesses, seeking advantage in whichever and whatever manner possible has become a rule. The way things go on in our nation is sad.
When information is legitimately sought through RTI, information is denied or records are not available, but sensitive information is available for sale. Sunlight should fall strongly on decision-making by Government agencies. Procedures and steps of decision-making should be transparent, prescribed in written form, and accessible to the general public. That will reduce the scope for such illegalities, where people compromise themselves for a few thousands and clog the legal systems with cases.
India is computer-savvy, so why not digitize Government records instead of filing papers that can conveniently get misplaced? Eventually, it boils down to personal ethics—both business people and government officials.
Regards
From India, Pune
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