Studies show that organizations that promote high ethical standards among their work force enjoy increased productivity and loyalty from both employees and customers. But unfortunately high ethical standards are almost a thing of the past. Most colleges and universities do not even include ethics classes in their curriculum any more.
Approaches to Business Ethics
To avoid costly litigation and protect their image, most companies at least make some attempt to follow these approaches:
1. Avoid breaking the criminal law in one’s work-related activity.
2. Avoid action that may result in civil law suits against the company.
3. Avoid actions that are bad for the company image.
Seven Business Principles
1. Harm Principle—Avoid causing unwarranted harm.
2. The 2nd Mile Principle—Make things better – enrich others
3. Fairness principle— Be fair in all practices Be compassionate – loving and kind
4. Human rights principle
Respect others
– keep confidences
– tell the truth
– stay loyal
– keep promises
5. Autonomy principle—
Do not infringe on the rationally reflective choices of people.
6. Veracity principle—Not be deceptive in business practices
7. Stakeholder principle
Should consider all stakeholders’ interests that are affected by a business practice.
Safety First?
When confronted with a challenging safety decision on the job ask yourself:
1. Severity of the harm
How serious is the damage or danger? Is the harm to persons or property? Is a human life threatened?
2. Certainty of the harm
Is the harm certain or just possible? How large is the risk of harm?
3. Degree of my personal involvement
Have I caused it?
Am I part of the immediate situation?
Am I the only one who can act?
4. Cost of acting
What will it cost me to take responsibility?
What risk will I run to address the problem?
5. Certainty of it’s solution
How certain am I that my action will solve the problem?
Develop Your People Skills
Zig says “Your people skills are more important than other skills. They are 85% of the reason you get a job and keep a job.”
A Good Model
Johnson and Johnson’s Credo
We are responsible to our employees, the men and women who work with us throughout the world. Everyone must be considered as an individual. We must respect their dignity and recognize their merit. They must have a sense of security in their jobs. Compensation must be fair and adequate, and working conditions clean, orderly and safe. We must be mindful of ways to help our employees fulfill their family responsibilities.
THE BIBLE SAYS
“Be not weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you faint not.”
