Business_Ethics_Reflection

Business Ethics Reflection XMGT/216 Sonja Chalk Values, morals, ethics, and principles make us who we are. We are taught these concepts at an early age that manifest in us as we reach adulthood. Throughout life there will be many challenges and/or dilemmas that will test these concepts. Whenever I have a dilemma, (whether it be personal or work related) I try to stick to the values and morals that were ingrained in me as a child. When it comes to business ethics, many people often believe that there is always the right thing to do based on moral principle, and others often believe that the right thing to do depends on the situation. In the business world ethics are often displaced by greed. Some businesses feel that financial gain or success if more important than business ethics. Having some type of business ethics or business code of conduct is what will make a successful business. I try to hold true to what I believe, and that is “right is right and wrong is wrong” regardless of the situation. Most businesses have codes, policies, and/or guides that depict what their business ethics are. Being an office manager of a dental clinic I am often faced with ethical dilemmas at work. I’ve been in the position that I am in for over 12 years, and during which time I acquired a close personal friendship with one of my co-workers. Outside of work, my co-worker and I would go out to eat, shop, watch movie, etc. She often shared things that happen in her personal life with me, and would come to me for guidance because she valued my opinion. There came a time when she was having personal issue at home, and for one reason or another, this would cause her to miss several days from work, come in late, leave work early, or come in and not be productive at all. Due to the fact that we were friends outside of work, she felt that she should be able to get by with certain things. She expected special treatment. I gave her several warnings before writing her up, and eventually firing her. In order to operate a successful business, there has to be a set of business ethics within the company. Because we deal with the public on a daily basis, I felt it was my job to be socially responsible for the clinic that I worked for. By allowing her to come in late, or not show up, or come in with a bad attitude, was not a good reflection on our practice. It came to a point that our patients were fully aware of the fact that she was not happy about something and/or that something was going on with her. I don’t believe that external social pressures had an influence on this particular situation. Firing my co-worker was a tough decision because at that particular time we needed her. However, I wanted to promote a good image, which in turn would bring more dedicated patients and longevity to our company. If I were faced with this same dilemma today I probably wouldn’t change anything. The solution or decision to fire my co-worker is the same solution I would choice if the situation should happen again. It is my job to run a business and to make sure that the business is run and/or operated effectively. To have an employee to disregard all the rules just because he or she thinks they can is not fair to the business, other employees, or our patients. Just because we were friend outside of the workplace didn’t entitle her to special privileges. My values, morals, and standards did not change just because she was my friend. I handle her as I would have any other employee. In order to run a successful business, it is important to follow whatever rules, guidelines, and code of conduct that have been set for that business, and not let the situation depict what you do. I know that a lot of businesses feel that a code of ethic is not necessary, and that businesses are in business to make money not friends. To me, it is important to stay true to who are and do what is right because it’s the consumers who make the business and it only makes sense to do right by the people who support your business.