This article relates to the Ethics in the Workplace competency, commonly evaluated in employee surveys. It gives examples of how employees and customers consider ethical behavior and sound values an integral part of your organization. This competency covers a variety of topics like customer treatment, employee professionalism, and expected/acceptable organizational behaviors. At a high level, this competency will investigate the standards by which your employees treat your customers, co-workers, and the organization itself.
This short story, Workplace Ethics: Reaching the Highest Standard, was part of EngagedMetrics' compilation, Tales from the Corporate Frontlines. It provides insight into one organization's efforts to establish and maintain the highest possible standard of ethics in the workplace.
Anonymous Submission
When I began working at a local no-profit organization, I had little experience with the concept of workplace ethics. My previous jobs had been in retail and health care, where I'd worked in team environments, and the companies I'd worked for weren't ethics oriented. I'd seen a few memos dealing with issues like sexual harassment, but no extensive workplace ethics programs appeared to be in place. When a situation arose that involved an ethics issue, employees turned to immediate supervisors for direction and then followed that direction.
So, I was surprised when, only two weeks into my new job, I was asked to join a focus group dedicated to revamping the organization's ethics program. The Human Resources department was gathering info to use in conjunction with data to be gained from an upcoming employee satisfaction survey. I agreed to participate, making it clear that I had no idea what was involved, but would do my best to make the group's effort a success.
When I arrived at the first meeting, I didn't know what to expect. The facilitator made it clear from the start that the main purpose of the group was to gain feedback about employee estimation of the current workplace ethics program. He handed out an information packet containing the applicable policies as well as all the procedures currently in place. We were asked to review it all and return with our honest comments and reactions with regard to effectiveness, compatibility with our personal values, and relationship to the organizational culture. Evaluation forms were provided to help with this process. He also made it clear that all participation was completely voluntary, and we should not feel pressure to discuss any issues with which we felt uncomfortable.
We were also asked to consider:
* Whether the company wide standards of conduct were strict enough
* Whether the leadership represented a strong enough role model
* Whether core values such as respect and honesty were demonstrated visibly enough in the everyday operation of the organization.
It was a thorough and complete review process. Finally, it occurred to me that as a non-profit organization, we really had an obligation to be sure that we were operating within the highest possible ethical standards. At the end of the process, and after the results from the employee satisfaction survey were in, changes would be made as needed to ensure that we had an exceptional workplace ethics program in place. A good thing, in my opinion, for any company that wants to strengthen its reputation and create a highly ethical workplace culture.
© 2005 EngagedMetrics, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes the author bio information, and all links remain active.
b>Measure. Report. Improve your organization with EngagedMetrics Employee Survey System.
Josh Greenberg is President of EngagedMetrics, Inc.
EngagedMetrics provides organizations of all sizes a powerful web based method for measuring employee satisfaction, determining employee engagement, and increasing employee retention.
Launch your EngagedMetrics Employee Survey System with EngagedMetrics.
Service Level Agreements, or "SLA's" are tricky but useful mechanisms... Read More
OK. So you have decided that your organization has to... Read More
Do you want to measure your workers' level of satisfaction?... Read More
You need to know all that is going on around... Read More
Every business is run by someone who took on a... Read More
Bad meetings are a cultural malady that senior executives pass... Read More
There seems to be an assumption that change is a... Read More
When I was first initiated into Corporate America, I had... Read More
Q: One of my former employees has launched an online... Read More
Ten or so years ago, an international consultant, specializing in... Read More
How we feel is really more important than what we... Read More
"We have to be careful it's like a minefield out... Read More
Want to hear a fascinating story? Let's sit in at... Read More
My client had faced the same challenge, which was frustrating... Read More
Recently a client told me a wonderful story about how... Read More
When problem solving, you may recognize that you were working... Read More
I've just watched, again, an episode in the Back to... Read More
We obtain strategic results by aligning HR mission, vision and... Read More
We all have been in meetings with certain people who... Read More
Bringing an HR consultant into your organisation can often be... Read More
A few weeks ago I asked my readers what the... Read More
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences between people... Read More
IntroductionThe aim of this document is to provide advice and... Read More
Companies spend millions of dollars each year identifying their brand,... Read More
In many ways there are no secrets to implementing effective... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
How Companies Are Like FamiliesLike a family, a company is... Read More
Businesses miss on growth opportunities and even close their doors... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
When you begin to write your business plan or a... Read More
At one time or another, all of us have experienced... Read More
Implementing an ISO 9001 system represents a major effort. However,... Read More
GET TO KNOW YOUR ORGANIZATION: If you don't understand an... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Ask almost any business leader how to most effectively develop... Read More
It's been a pretty good weekend around the place -... Read More
"Must Project Managers be technically savvy?" This topic always seems... Read More
Because of my work as a consultant, trainer and coach... Read More
Can a person's behavior and values really determine if they... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Many work environments now are open plan, with only a... Read More
"Without the chance to meaningfully participate in steering one's own... Read More
Becoming a manager for the first time can be an... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Some say that in business as in sex: if it... Read More
The old saying 'You have to spend money to make... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
Kicking Winning Business Goals The competition for business... Read More
The meeting started like a hundred others before. There were... Read More
Over 3 of my meetings with 3 business owners last... Read More
You need to secure money for your project. You visit... Read More
The permissive and participatory conduct which most employees take for... Read More
Conservative and staid organisations generally have a harder time implementing... Read More
There are wild variances in how much involvement organisations are... Read More
Globalization is requiring companies to make important choices about how... Read More
Sooner or later, most business owners need to look for... Read More
Intangible Corporate Assets such as Organizational Capital, Blue Sky and... Read More
Trained employees are more productive employees; thereā??s no doubt about... Read More
"? [get] the right people on the bus, the right... Read More
It was 2.30 am. It was cold and dark and... Read More
Definition From http://www.merriamwebster.com -- "Virtual: - being such in essence... Read More
1. Base your business in the Magic Triangle. Honesty, integrity,... Read More
It has been said, there is no better way to... Read More
People talk to me about making personal and professional changes... Read More
The day job as a manager is all about managing... Read More
In my book Talking Points: 25 Tips for Clear, Credible... Read More
Business Management |