Importance of Ethical Behavior and Code of Conduct
Ethical behavior and a comprehensive code of conduct are essential in every organization for proper management of new trends and issues that may create burdens. The need for acceptable behavior in an organization has become crucial to avoid unnecessary lawsuits. Public scandals of corporate misleading practices have destroyed the public reputation of many organizations. The fall of trade barriers and expansion of businesses ventures into diversified regions has made ethical behavior and code of conduct. The current workplace consists of employees with diversified cultural backgrounds. Ethical conduct of officers and employees assumes an added importance by preserving different cultures to create a homogeneous organization. In addition, several scholars believe that every organization should protect the environment it operates in and the human rights of its employees. This adds to the importance of a comprehensive ethical behavior and code of conduct that governs employee and organizational activities.
The most effective measure for establishing high standards of performance in an institution lies in the virtuous leadership of the managers. The managers of an institution must attract, display, and recognizes exemplars of integrity by leading by example. Leadership is the most persuasive force for upholding the ideals of every organization. Services undertaken by an organization may become complex due to organizational growth. This can present new challenges to the status quo, and can test held practices, assumption, and relationships. In order to maintain the integrity through these challenges, the top management must have a positive attitude towards other superiors and juniors. Those in leadership must assist the employees to understand the moral dimensions of the current situation (Ferrell, Fraedrich and Ferrell, 2011). The code of conduct outlines the standards of ethical behavior that managers must follow in such situations. This prevents them from going overboard, which may affect the working environment in the institution.
A comprehensive code of conduct reflects the commitment of individual employees and the institution. The code of conduct commits all employees to uphold the values of the institution. It articulates and explains organizational values and provides guiding principles and standards. Employees apply these principles and values when making moral and ethical judgments. The mission of an organization is also reflected in the code, which must be observed and upheld by all employees including the managers. Therefore, the code provides the guiding principles for employee action and the activities of an organization. Ethical and moral standards stated in the code govern employee relationship with one another (Corey, Corey and Callanan, 2007). This reduces the number of conflicts among employees and helps to keep them focused on the mission of the institution. Employee commitment determines the amount of effort they put in their work. The success of an organization depends on the efforts of individual employees in the business activities.
The quality of service provided by an organization depends on the level of ethical behavior practiced by employees. Employees must uphold honesty, integrity, and fairness in their services as well as upholding the laws, policies, and procedures. Ethical behavior helps employees to respect the human rights of their customers when providing services. This prevents the occurrence of conflicts of interest that arise from personal interests or activities unrelated to the organization. Conflicts of interest affect the ability to make objective decisions. Integrity in the decision making process guarantees the provision of quality services by employees. A healthy working relationship between employees eliminates conflicts of interest and foster team work in the organization (Barsky, 2010). The decision making process and service process may involve several employees. The result of the decision making process or the quality of service provided relies entirely on the working relationships of the employees.
An organization contains workers from different social classes, and cultural backgrounds. Culture defines individual beliefs, values, and religious practices. Ethical behavior respects cultural diversity and enhances communication between people of different cultures. Ethics is the principle injected by individuals that conform to the norms in the society. Understanding the culture of other employees can serve as one way of creating a homogeneous organization. Ethical behavior helps employees engage in activities that uphold the societal norms to create a harmonized institution (Nelson and Quick, 2012). Understanding the cultural diversity in an organization acts as a guiding principle when making decisions that affect the entire organization. Different employees have varying preferences which must be respect to create a healthy working relationship. Respecting the privacy of employees and handling personal information confidentially is also ethical. Managers may have access to personal information regarding their employees. The code of conduct upholds confidentiality of personal information and respecting employee privacy.
Every organization requires a code of conduct that governs employee behavior. The success of a business depends on the bond amongst employees and service delivery. The code outlines the expected behavior that helps employees uphold the mission of the organization. This creates an environment that fosters ethical behavior among employees. The code enforces the required behavior and enforces rules that control the relationship between the organization and the society. The workplace may have people with diversified cultural behaviors. Ethical behavior respects the cultural practices of all employees and respects human rights. This involves respecting the values and beliefs upheld by individuals before making decisions affecting the whole institution. Ethical behavior eliminates conflicts of interest in decision making and reduces temper when involved in an argument. This improves the quality of services offered by the organization and creates a better relationship with customers.
References
Barsky, A. E. (2010). Ethics and values in social work: An integrated approach for a
comprehensive curriculum. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Corey, G., Corey, M. S., and Callanan, P. (2007). Issues and ethics in the helping
professions. Australia: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., and Ferrell, L. (2011). Business ethics: Ethical decision
making and cases. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Nelson, D., & Quick, J. (2012). Organizational Behavior: Science, the real world, and
you. South-Western. Cengage Learning.
