Ethics

Ethics in the workplace will continue to be a sensitive subject no matter what the organizations is or the ethical values they represent. This week’s focus on ethics has been useful by providing tools and information on promoting ethical behavior within the workplace. One of the challenges of being a manager is creating a healthy balance between the organizational and financial goals of the institution without compromising ethical and moral values. Standing for what is personally ethical may not produce efficiency financially for the organization in which a person is employed. As there are several definitions for ethics, for the purposes of this paper ethics as it pertains to business is defined as “the act of learning what is right and what is wrong in the workplace and then making the decision to do the right thing” (Brandi & Maguire, 2002, pg. 8). The assessment that I completed from the William Institute for Ethics and Management hit the bull's eye in summarizing my ethical perspective and ethical style. According to the survey I have a tendency “to base [my] ethical perspective on an individual's duty to do what is morally right... in judging whether a person's actions are ethical [I] look to the intent behind his/her actions, rather than focusing on the results." Intent of any action is difficult to measure, and sometimes impossible to identify, this explains the majority of the anxiety and stress that I have suffered from others by not being able to identify their intentions. For example, I once had a coworker assume that I did not complete a task of processing the mail; while I became distracted for a few minutes by assisting a client I intended to come back to processing the mail. I went back to my desk and my coworker had sent a harsh and demonizing e-mail to me stating the mail processing procedures, which I have been doing for years. I reviewed the e-mail and discovered she had copied my boss. Her actions bothered me believe that this was unethical as instead of team worker she found an opportunity to create a negative image of me to my superior and she took it. I responded to the e-mail sarcastically informing her that I was aware of the procedures and I was not done. To this day I am uncertain of her true intent I may never know, at times can be detected by indicators such as behavioral cues, body language, and consequential actions. Upon further evaluation of my assessment of the William Institute for Ethics and Management my ethical style is based on my belief that " human beings have intrinsic value...[they] have a right to individual respect" I believe that all individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation are entitled to respectful treatment. Most companies pride themselves on stating that each employee is respected, many employees can share experiences that occurred within the workplace that do not match the values and ethics stated in the mission statements. Small businesses can sometimes have the advantage over large business in the sense that a small business owner can have more control of the internal business environment. There usually are not many levels of management; consequently policies and codes of ethics can be changed quickly and efficiently. Kathy Kudler of Kudler Fine Foods is in-tune and aware of her employees feelings and she aims to provide a respectful and ethical environment for her employees. Kathy has many of the same ethical perspectives and styles that I personally hold. For example, as Kathy sells products without preservatives the shelf life of each product is very short instead of wasting this precious commodity; Kathy donates this food to local homeless shelters. I believe that it is my moral duty always to strive to take the moral initiative, which sometimes may not always be the most beneficial choice. Kathy could try to sell the food that almost has expired to attempt to make a few dollars, however; she realizes that not only does it feel good to donate to those who are less fortunate than her, but also it is her duty to assist the homeless in every way she can. Another ethical perspective that Kathy and I share is the need for individual respect and dignity. This ethical perspective is most evident in the slogan for the produce department “ If you don’t see it, let us know and we will special item the order for you!” Kathy’s slogan says it all to her clients, if they can’t find an ingredient or product they need she cares enough to go the extra step to ensure that the client’s personal request will be fulfilled. This type of customer service shows the respect that each person has different needs, which may not always be fulfilled. Kathy has shown through her actions that she cares enough to show her clients respect by honoring their his or her request. Ethics, morals and values are all traits, which are vital to a successful honest business. Although profit making is of vital importance it is not everything nor should an employee have to demoralize or lose his or her ethics for any corporation. In the same token one should strive to have a balance by developing code of ethics and ethical behavior that juggle profit making with good ethical behavior.