Scenario: Your employer makes a show of promoting strong ethics, with regular training classes, posters in hallways and on bulletin boards, a toll-free hotline, and social networking links, etc.
However, as the economy has slowed during the past several months, you have observed that the managers are not practicing what they had been preaching about ethics. They are encouraging employees to cut corners on product and service quality and squeezing suppliers by not paying their bills on time.
This does not reflect the company that you had come to respect with their previous emphasis on business ethics.
The new president of your company has just taken control and sees this breach in ethics.
They task you with creating a points of reference for employees regarding the ethical policy points you want employees to adhere to in the new Code of Ethical Conduct (an original creation).
Checklist: .
● Create a list for employees regarding the ethical points you want the employees to adhere to.
● What conduct is expected from employees?
The purpose of this Code of Ethical Conduct is to establish the standards of ethical behavior that are expected of all employees of [Company Name]. This Code is intended to guide employees in making ethical decisions in the workplace and to help ensure that the company operates in a fair and ethical manner.
The following are the ethical principles that are the foundation of this Code:
* Honesty: Employees shall be honest in all their dealings with the company, its customers, its suppliers, and the public.
* Integrity: Employees shall act with integrity and in accordance with the highest moral standards.
* Fairness: Employees shall treat others fairly and with respect.
* Respect for Law: Employees shall obey the law and uphold the ethical values of the company.
* Responsibility: Employees shall be responsible for their actions and shall take steps to prevent harm to others.
In addition to the general ethical principles listed above, employees are also expected to adhere to the following specific ethical guidelines:
* **Product and Service Quality:** Employees shall not cut corners on product or service quality.
* **Payment to Suppliers:** Employees shall pay suppliers on time.
* **Conflicts of Interest:** Employees shall avoid conflicts of interest.
* **Confidentiality:** Employees shall keep confidential information confidential.
* **Harassment:** Employees shall not harass others.
* **Discrimination:** Employees shall not discriminate against others.
Employees who believe that an ethical violation has occurred are encouraged to report it to their supervisor, the human resources department, or the company’s ethics hotline. Employees who report an ethical violation in good faith will be protected from retaliation.
The company is committed to operating in a fair and ethical manner. This Code of Ethical Conduct is intended to help ensure that all employees adhere to the highest ethical standards. By following the guidelines in this Code, employees can help to ensure that the company continues to be a leader in ethical business practices.
Conduct Expected from Employees
Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times. This includes:
Employees who violate the company’s Code of Ethical Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.