Defining Ethics in a Code of Conduct
Ethical behavior, or doing the right thing, is a part of our human nature, and as we will see in this course, it plays an integral role in the workplace. With a Code of Conduct, employees can better understand the what is expected of them from their employer.
The Origin of Ethics in the Workplace
The term ethics originates from the Ancient Greek root word êthos, meaning "character” or “moral nature,” and while in English it has several meanings, for our purposes, we will think of ethics as societal beliefs about what is right and wrong, and how those beliefs guide our behavior. Ethics in the workplace is not a new concept. In fact, it dates back to ancient times. Do you recognize the term the Hippocratic Oath? It is an Ancient Greek vow that required physicians to swear to uphold ethical medical standards. Over 2,000 years later, this oath is still in use today!
You are in the passenger seat driving with your elderly father. As he drives, you notice that he has run over a few curbs when turning, has frequently gone over the line of his lane, and barely stopped in time to let a pedestrian cross the street. When you are safely back home, you tell him what you saw and that you think it's time for him to stop driving. He becomes defensive and states that he loves to drive because it gives him a sense of independence. Consider the nuances and the consequences of the option that you select, and remember, there are no wrong answers.
Helping your father find alternative modes of transportation is an excellent way to demonstrate empathy and compassion for his autonomy and concern for his safety.
If you choose to take away your father’s car keys, on the one hand, you are helping to keep him and others physically safe on the road. However, by doing so, you also might jeopardize your relationship with him. He might feel his independence is gone and become depressed.
Explaining the hazardous mistakes your father made while driving and the dangers associated with those mistakes is a great way to demonstrate respect for your father's mental autonomy. Hopefully, he will choose to give up driving, but if he doesn't, there could be serious consequences.
Asking your father to get a physical from his doctor is a great suggestion because it might alleviate some personal guilt if he is found unfit to operate a vehicle per a physician's orders. But continuing to let him drive could still place him and other drivers or pedestrians in an unsafe situation.
An Example Ethical Scenario
The CEO of your favorite brand has declared on social media that they are in support of a controversial topic. Should CEOs speak out about important social and political issues of the day?
Here are some myths to look out for:
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It doesn't matter to me.
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I use their products every day, so I like that the CEO spoke up.
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I disagree with the CEO, and I no longer wish to purchase their products.
Responding to Ethical Scenarios in Code of Conduct Training
Providing your employees with example ethical scenarios in EasyLlama's Code of Conduct training can help them realize that each response requires them to think about the nuance of the situation as well as the consequence or consequences of their choice. This is also how it happens in real life, but Code of Conduct training can help them better understand the importance of their own personal and professional ethics.
Helping over 8,000 organizations create a safer, more productive workplace
With EasyLlama training, your employees will discover how to be more aware of discrimination, bias in the workplace, and reap the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Here are some of the topics covered in our course:
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