Objectives of a Course on Ethics

Ethics courses give employees practice in handling ethical scenarios.

Some employees may find it peculiar that they are forced to take courses on business ethics whenever they start working at a new company. Businesses, or business consultants, put together ethics courses as a means of informing those in the work force about the company's ethical code, and what types of unethical behaviors are not tolerated. By participating in courses on ethics, employees know what is expected of them by their company.

Ethical Decision-Making

The primary objective of courses on ethics is for trainees to understand how to define ethics, and how to make ethical decisions. Business ethics are vast, and a lot of ethical scenarios may seem gray, rather than black and white. Courses on ethics are there to enhance trainee awareness about recognizing ethical issues and making ethical decisions. When it comes to making ethical decisions, trainees are taught to evaluate possible results of their decisions, such as asking themselves, "Would this decision have a negative impact on the company?"

Code of Ethics

The code of ethics is an operating policy that an organization uses to provide guidelines and standards. Within an ethical code employees or students will find information about what types of ethical behaviors are not tolerated by the company, and qualify for dismissal from the organization. A code of ethics outlines the information by ethical category. For instance, one rule found in many codes of ethics is "Employees shall not accept bribes or gifts from clients." In a course on ethics, trainees learn about the organization's code of ethics, where copies of the code of ethics can be found and who, within the organization, should be contacted when employees have questions or need clarification.

Significance of Ethics

Business ethics impact the success of a company. Courses on ethics teach employees and students about the consequences involved in ethical violations as they pertain to profitability and public image. Unethical decisions and behaviors exemplified by an organization affect whether clients and customers continue doing business there, and can be cause for shareholders to sell their shares of the company. Ethical scandals are bad business for organizations, and the negative publicity can send a company into ruins.

Reporting Ethical Misconduct

Business ethics courses train employees on how to respond to ethical misconduct that they witness in the workplace. Employees who witness ethical misconduct are encouraged to report the acts as soon as they happen. In a course on ethics, trainees receive information about whom within the organization to contact if they have to report an ethical issue.

References

• International Business Ethics Institute: Business Ethics Primer
• Santa Clara University: A Framework for Thinking Ethically