Ethics in the Workplace - Coursework Example

?Ethics in the Workplace Introduction Question Philosophers have identified that ethics, morality and values are inextricably tied together and we can evaluate a person through his or her attitudes towards morality, values and ethics. We can consider ethics, values and morality as eminent criteria to decide whether a person is good or bad. Ethics is widely accepted as a branch of philosophy that concentrates on query of morality all the way through a group of behavioral strategies and guidelines. Generally, difference in material backgrounds such as personality, society, economic backgrounds, culture, language and religion often make the atmosphere unpredictable and undergoes some unnecessary conflicts among the people. We can set different parameters like the way which an individual handle ethical issues in his personal or family life, the way he behaves or communicates with others in workplace. At present, establishment of philosophical or ethical ideologies in workplace cannot consider as mere idealistic or intellectual exercise, but also purposive. In the age of globalization one cannot deny the possibility of exploitation and unethical practices in workplace. Personal ethics in the work place requires primary attention and it is considered as the most significant one in workplaces well business fields. Question 2 Researches and implementation of ethics or human values in an organizational level is not only idealistic or rational exercises, but also highly purposive. As a social being, I have followed some prescribed ethics or human values in both personal as well as in professional life. I believe a set of personal ethics are essential for success and that help an individual to recognize the right and dignity of others. I think material wealth is not a source of permanent happiness. According to Aristotle; “wealth is not pleasure, because wealth is just a monetary value, but can be used to gain some happiness” (Thinkquest, 1998). Wealth has a momentary value in this world. Aristotle’s views about morality and ethics have influenced me in creating a moral perspective. Different from Aristotle’s views, I would like to follow virtue as essential quality in this earthly life. Knowledge from ethical surroundings is practically useful in different areas like management science, leadership building, team building human recourse development, socio- political decision making, and positive action programs among the employees (United Nations Human settlement program, n.d. p.5). These ethical movements and human values act as a barrier against the oppressive constraints on the spirit of freedom, dignity and creativity and other dehumanizing social orders. Dean Bredeson and Keith Goree rightly observe the term ethics by saying “Currently, there are ethical issues that are individual and personal, too, but ethics often deals with principles that apply to everyone” (Bredeson & Keith, 2011, p.6). In workplace settings, one cannot stand only for his or her personal interests and achievements. Question 3 Personal ethics in the workplace is an essential quality for a person who manages a company or a business organization. A person who worked in white –collar position has the right to follow ethics in his work fields. I think one should keep a helpful attitude towards people having difficulties. If one analyses personal ethics through a humanistic perspectives, he would comprehend the fact that the term personal ethics is a course of action a person decides to follow in order to act and work in synchronization with others in workplace. The Deloitte LLP 2010 Ethics & Workplace underlines the need and relevance of ethics in workplace in detail. The reports remarks “Nearly half (48%) of employed Americans who plan to look for a new job when the economy is more stable cite a loss of trust in their employer as a result of how business and operational decisions were handled over the last two years as a reason for leaving; 46% of them say a lack of transparent leadership communication will drive them to seek new employment opportunities” (Deloitte, 2010. p.4). Personal ethics plays a vital role at the same time as absorbing wisdom of morality in the midst of employees in work place settings. It is crystal clear that each one has his or her views and requirements about each and every topic in social life. Therefore, each one has the right to do what he or she expected. Question 4 Definitions and classifications of social groups, economic groups, cultural groups and minority groups have emphasized the influence of moral and ethical features. Honesty, sincerity, and loyalty are considered as prescribed criteria in determining groups. Workplace ethics can help people in the process of selection and classification of minority groups like blacks and Hispanics. Workplace ethics always promotes and encourages blending of different cultures, ideologies, individual differences, casts and creeds in terms of globalization. A philosophical approach in the workplace helps individuals to maintain a healthy relationship with his or her colleagues. Question 5 Military profession and other government organizations always keep strict moral values both their personal as well professional life. Analyzing, private sector, one can find the fact that an employer in private sector cannot force his employees for practicing ethics. The reason is that private organizations require maximum profits and it results exploitation in the work fields. Generally, a workplace settings demands co-operation and respect among the individuals from an assortment of socio-economic backgrounds. It is a part of common knowledge is that a “workplace is a cluster of individuals, and hence an amalgamation of attitudes and imaginations, which often dilutes the existence of ethics” (Ethics in Work place). Ethical principles always keep democratic values and requirements which often facilitates equality, cooperation and freedom. Comfortable material surroundings provide positive energy for workers and that ensures the successive establishment of collective responsibility. Question 7 Generally, corporations and managements have enjoyed the power to employ as a unique one. Their power is not an uncontrolled one and the power requires a kind of organizational ability to organize a work place surrounding in successful way. Employers should ensure their power through work place ethics. Workplace ethics “articulates a new vision of capitalism that accentuates mutually beneficial accountabilities as the basis of a healthy relationship between business and society’s interests” (Lagan & Moran, 2005, p.2). In the age of globalization one cannot stand independent and each and every one needs supports and assistance from others. Employers provide all material backgrounds and financial assistance for his employees. So, it is clear that a kind of power or control is essential for employers to ensure smooth functioning of the organization. An employer can do social responsibilities through practicing some moral values like honesty, loyalty, sincerity and cooperation in life. A person having truthful nature can overcome the barriers which he faced in material life. Lying is regarded as a part of escapism and it forced persons to relieve in facing conflicts. Telling lies for personal benefits is considered as a negative approach and that diminishes virtue. “Workplace values such as trust, fairness and leadership play an important role in policy making as well” (Saner & Baeyer, 2005, p.5). Honesty among the employees as well executives is an essential quality and it helps the people to avoid future correction. Question 8 The development of an organizational program in a workplace includes the improvement of input, interaction between management authorities and workers, cooperation, decision making and continuous commitment from many persons. An employer has the right to force moral principles among the employees. Here, we cannot ignore the possibility of a conflict between two persons. Code of Ethics provides guidance to be self managed, work-place learning and performance professionals (Werner & DeSimone, 2008, p.25). So it is clear that healthy association between the management and employees is necessary in an institution. In many cases, people underestimate the issues that faced by others. Consequently, they may fail to handle these issues in a desirable way. In this respect Joshua Joseph rightly comments that “executives may underestimate the importance of specific ethics issues and concerns facing employees. As a result, they also may fail to address these issues adequately within their organizations’ ethics programs” (Joseph, 2000). Crisis or conflicts between authorities and employees results unhealthy crisis and through the help of written ethical strategies we can avoid these crisis. Question 9 Discrimination in race, color, language, culture and wealth destruct social harmony. Today, the term discrimination is used to mention a state of mind which forced one to consider someone as lower in race, color, education, culture and wealth. Discrimination is visible through different forms and all discriminations are note same, but all provide sufferings and alienation among the people. Racial discrimination makes some organizational problems in workplace. Attracta Lagan and Brian Moran made some relevant observation in the field of workplace ethics and its application in handling the issue of discrimination and other organizational barriers. They examine that “Their application demonstrates consistent and predictable behavior, aligned to stated personal, workplace and democratic values which are increasingly sought by employees, business and society for sustainable business” (Lagan & Moran, 2005, p.2). A person who worked in a company or a business institution having black or Hispanic origin has some adjustment problems in the organization. Discrimination in religion and culture paved the way for isolation and unhealthy conflicts among the individuals. Here the process of decision making needs serious attention and care. So, Ethical knowledge is more useful for an individual to overcome issues related with discrimination. Question 10 Ethics in workplace has paved the way for serious discussions and debates among the public as well experts in recent years. Workplace ethics is accepted as a branch of philosophy which provides healthy relationship and growth in work place. Ethical principles and values help to recognize the rights and dignities of each person. It facilitates highest level of service, training and development among the employees in a company or business organization. Personal ethics in the workplace can promote learning and competence in performance field. Philosophy always teaches morality and virtue through a set of principles. An individual who worked in an institution should keep the concept of confidentiality and integrity. Question 11 A healthy relationship between the employers and the employees is essential for the growth of an organization. An employer has the right terminate his employee based on his illegal activity in his ‘on- duty’ time. Employer can use employee behavior outside the job without considering norms and regulations. The relevance and need of philosophical or ethical approach in workplace is visible when an organization faced crisis. Presence of ethical ideologies helps a person to formulate moral sense which motivates him to accept the feelings and problems of others. Employer should keep a desirable attitude towards his employees who worked in outside job and avoid their difficulties and adjustment problems related with working atmosphere, wages, internal and external interference. It is inhuman that to punish an employee based on his illegal action in outside job. We should accept 9 to 5 is an authorized duration and an employer demands extra service from his employees through a humanitarian perspective. Question 14 Milton Friedman argued that business organizations always seek maximum profits and they deny moral values and social responsibilities. One cannot support this statement in its complete sense. I think ethics in business fields tries to avoid unhealthy competitions among the individual through its principles. Profit is an essential part of a business organization and it is hard to believe that business organizations had avoided social responsibilities. In case of a hospital or an educational institution, we cannot stand for mere profits. As Milton Friedman comments, “The manager of such a corporation will not have money profit as his objective but the rendering of certain services” (Friedman, 1970). Business ethics is generally considered as a normative discipline. At this juncture, one can find the implementation of particular ethical standards. It is significant to notice that “It makes specific judgments about what is right or wrong, which is to say, it makes claims about what ought to be done or what ought not to be done” (Ethics in the workplace, 2007). Philosophical thoughts promote the substantial knowledge that what is right and what is wrong to its followers. Establishment of ethics and other human values ensures the formation of predictable behavior from the part of individuals. Question 16 It is a part of common knowledge is that Cloning and other technologies in the field of information technology are considered as the signs of man’s scientific growth. The problem is that people often deny morality and ethics when they handle issues related with Cloning. It is clear that Cloning arises some relevant questions about the existence of ethics and morality. Violation of the law of nature causes harmful results. Conclusion In the final analysis, it is evident that philosophical or ethical approach is essential for the development of healthy workplace surroundings. A workplace or a business organization always requires the smooth functioning of collective responsibility among its employees. Ethics in workplace promotes morality through a set of behavior strategies. Ethical knowledge helps a person to develop human values such as honesty, sincerity, integrity, loyalty and cooperation. Ethics requires the establishment of democratic values in work fields that avoid unhealthy completion, inequality and all kinds of discrimination among the individuals. References Bredeson, Dean, Keith Goree. (2011). Ethics in the Workplace. Cengage Learning. Ethics in the workplace. (2007). Helium.inc. accessed 5 Sep 2011. From . Deloitte. (2010). Trust in the workplace 2010 Ethics & Workplace Survey. Deloitte Development. Inc. Accessed 5 Sep.2011. from Ethics in Work place. Buzzle.com. Accessed 5 Sep 2011. from . Friedman, M. (1970). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. The New York Times Magazine. The New York Times Company. Accessed 5 Sep. 2011. From . Human Values and Ethics in the Workplace. United Nations Human settlement programme. Kenya. Accessed 5 Sep. 2011. from . Joseph, Joshua. (2000). Ethics in the Workplace. Ethics Resource Center, Inc. accessed 5 Sep 2011. From http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/articledetail.cfm?ItemNumber=13073 Lagan, Attracta., Moran Brian. (2005). Three Dimensional Ethics: Implementing Workplace Values. Illustrated. eContent Management (SAN 902-4964). Saner, M., Baeyer. C. von. Workplace and Policy Ethics:A Call to End the Solitudes. Institute on governance, Canada. Thinkquest. (1998). Aristotle's Thoughts on Morality. Oracle education foundation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2011. From . Werner, J.M., DeSimone R.L. (2008). Human Resource Development. Illustrated. Cengage Learning.     Read More