Workplace Ethics and Issues
Ethical dilemmas are a part of life in the workplace. Employees must deal with a range of ethical issues, and it is in a company's best interest to supply them with the information to make the right decision.
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Ethics Blindness
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According to a report by the Ethics Research Center, which surveyed more than 3,000 U.S. employees, only 55 percent of workers report ethics violations when they witness them. Therefore, many employees and managers are turning a blind eye on unethical behavior.
Common Problems
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In the same study, respondents reported seeing intimidating or abusive behavior toward fellow workers, lying, discrimination and theft.
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Issues with Ethics Training
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Although the center's study showed that 69 percent of employers mandate ethics training, problems remain. Growing diversity in the workplace is one sticking point, given the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's rising discrimination claims, as stereotypes breed unethical treatment of others. As the recession that began in 2007 shows, financial ethics training also needs improvement.
Effective Training
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According to Schermerhorn's Management, improving ethics training means ensuring every program has seven core steps. Training must encourage employees to recognize the ethical dilemma, get the facts, identify options, test each option, decide which to follow, evaluate how they would feel if their decision became public, and then take action.
Other Barriers
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Another way to improve ethics training is to examine the organization: An organizational culture that puts profits above all else can drive employees to act unethically. Even one manager with this philosophy can create an unethical department.
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References
- Photo Credit business colleagues preparing for business meeting image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
