The Code of Conduct of My Organization - Assignment Example

Social Performance Social Performance Briefly describe your organization and then benchmark the set s of conduct used by the same companies in the industry. Critique these codes of conduct of at least three same companies in order to write codes for your company. I am a retailer of hardware and home renovation products, whereby the company operates a chain of more than 20 retailers across New York City. I run a mix of retail outlets, most of which feature traditionally sized hardware stores, and various specialized stores of diverse sizes and formats. Over the years, the chain stores have grown rapidly through a series of acquisitions. The company offers an enticing shopping experience to the clientele, and comprises of various departments such as paint departments and home improvement products such as decorating items. The codes of conduct used by the similar companies such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and True Value include; 1. Doing the right thing for their associates such as ensuring safety of the workers and consumer shopping environment 2. Doing the right thing for customers. This is the most significant code of conduct for all companies. It ensures that customers are the most influential factor in the organization. 3. Doing the right thing for the shareholders such as; protecting the company’s assets and intellectual property. The stated companies try to comply with all safety requirements. If a customer or a member of staff becomes concerned or needs some answers on certain questions, comments or even feedbacks in regards to the regulatory requirements, they are advised to report to the supervisors immediately. These ensure that the employees only perform stated tasks without risking their lives. I think the codes of conduct of these leading retail chains of a number of hardware and home based products are quite efficient, the codes not only underlines what is necessary to the firm internally, but also most importantly, their customers and stakeholders (Myers, 2003). 2. Analyze the ways in which the ethical challenges will affect your business and also create a code of conduct for your Company. Provide a rationale on how these set specific codes will enhance the company’s ethics Program. There is an advantage of taking an ethical sense in the operations of the business. The company’s environment plays a vital role in the manner in which the workers work in an ethical sense. One tough thing I face is ensuring that my employees behave in an ethical manner. There are a number of laws that affect my company in a number of ways. There are a number of issues that come under the review of ethics (Ferrell, LeClair & Ferrell, 2000). These issues deal with how the company buys its merchandise and selling practices of the company. Though, at times, it is hard to be socially responsible and environmental friendly, it is appropriate for my company to undertake activities that are beneficial to the firm. My company will undertake measures for waste reduction by trying to recycle the materials the firm use, the environmental friendly packaging equipments. My company will also not tolerate employees found to be soliciting bribes or receiving them from their customers. I will ensure that the human resources executives in the organization remain compliant and observant with prescribed antidiscrimination and also the harassment laws. Workers discrimination and harassment whether sexually, gender, race, or even religion is a serious ethical issue that the human resources professionals encounter on a day to day basis (Myers, 2003). Laws set that prohibits these discriminatory behaviors like the Civil Rights Act and also, Americans with Disabilities Act help the Human Resource representatives create training and awareness programs that will prevent workers discrimination and harassment in the job environment. These set laws also develop procedures human resources personnel may use to report crimes and discipline employees who may show inappropriate discriminatory behaviors. My company is committed to developing a safe, healthy and drug free job environments. Taking of illegal drugs or consumption of alcohol in the job areas, or reporting to duty under the influence of alcohol is highly prohibited. Any member of staff found to be going against these set rules will become subjected to immediate removal from the job. 3. After reading the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations, discuss how these Guidelines will influence the ethics program you created. A number of employees can now be held accountable for their actions in the company. These Federal Sentencing guidelines provide the company with guidance, and also encourage the internal systems of control by authorizing punishment and also restitution if the internal systems of the organization fail. The government has put the sole responsibility for controlling and stopping illegal and also unethical practices on top of the managers’ shoulders. The managers are now solely responsible for their individual actions and those of the people they supervise (Ferrell, LeClair & Ferrell, 2000). The guidelines contain vicarious liability principle that implies managers must show due diligence in their attempt of preventing misconduct 4. Anticipate where the setbacks or challenges may be in the adoption and enforcement of the set codes of conduct for your organization. Show how you will explain these challenges and the anticipated setbacks. Challenges I anticipate in the organization is fighting bribery and corruption. A number of employees engage in corrupt practices whether through receiving gifts from clients, or accepting cash payments for questionable dealings. Trying to prevent drug abuse in the company will be quite challenging as it is hard to monitor the activities of workers in their free time. I will ensure there are strict measures to curb bribery and corruption in the workplace. Employees who engage in corrupt practices will be fired and legal actions taken against them. To curb drug abuse, I will institute regular drug abuse classes’ to help the employees disengage from these activities. 5. Given the existing influences of the changing political, economic, cultural, technological and social forces on the society and Business, explain how you will ensure that your set codes of conduct will remain relevant in the coming years. I will continue to monitor the conduct of employees of the firm throughout the years, to ensure they still follow the code of conducts. I will institute a board that specifically deals with the code of conducts and ensure that the company is not left behind on the changes. References LeClair, D. T., Ferrell, C., & Ferrell, L. (2000). Federal Sentencing Guidelines For Organizations; Legal, Ethical and Public Policy Issues For International Marketing. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing , 26-37. Myers, R. (2003). Ensuring Total Ethical Effectiveness. Journal of Accountancy , 10-14. Read More