ELEPHANT IN THE OFFICE!

Transcription

1 Ethics

2 ELEPHANT IN THE OFFICE!

3 Ethical Choices Learn to distinguish between right & wrong Professional groups or an employer s code of ethics can help Restrain yourself from choosing the wrong path Don t let your life be driven by the desire for immediate gratification Find satisfaction through nonfinancial resources Make sure your values are in harmony with those of your employer It can be easier to make the right ethical choices if your employer s values are compatible with yours

4

5 The fable of the Blind Men and the Elephant became well know with the poem of John Godfrey Saxe in The story is about blind men who touch different parts of an elephant to find out what it is about; they each think they know the whole, when, in fact, they have only experienced part of it. One feels the elephant s tail and thinks an elephant is a rope; One feels the tusk and thinks an elephant is like a spear, and so on.

6 It was six men of Hindustan to learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (though all of them were blind), That each by observation might satisfy his mind. So oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant not one of them has seen. The fable underscores the need to have the whole picture of an activity to ensure success in the endeavor.

7

8 What are ethics? In the simplest terms, the word ethics refers to the application of moral principals in the way that we conduct our individual or group behavior.

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18 Ethics and the Law Many laws are based on ethical principles, which are in turn based on morals. If something is unethical it s usually illegal. But not everything that is illegal is unethical.

19 Example: Say you forget to feed your parking meter while you re having lunch with a friend. You may get a ticket because you are technically breaking the law. But being forgetful is not unethical. You have broken the law, and you will pay a fine, but you are still an ethical person.

20 So how are ethics applied in the workplace? Ethics must be applied every time you have to make a decision about what s the right thing to do?

21 Amy promised me a raise if I knew Windows 8. I really need the money, but I don t know the software that well. What should I tell her? I overheard the staff in accounting talking about just taking a little off the top. Should I tell the boss they may be embezzling? Walt keeps asking me to pick up his dry cleaning. Will I get fired if I say no? Should we fire Jane? She s not great at her job, but she has three kids to feed.

22 There is a LOT of pressure in the workplace! When your pay check depends on the choices you make, it can be really hard even for good people always to make the right decisions.

23 It takes good character make ethical decisions! Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

24 Seven Steps for Ethical Decision Making Step 1 - Stop and Think Step 2 - Review Long-Term Goals Step 3 - Determine the Facts Step 4 - Consider the Options Step 5 - Consider the Consequences Step 6 - Choose Step 7 - Monitor Results

25 Step 1 - Stop and Think Some ethical decisions must be made very quickly, but if you have any time to stop and think, DO IT!

26 Step 2 - Review Long-Term Goals Instant gratification often leads to unethical decisions. If your long term goals include not going to jail, being someone people respect, and being able to sleep well at night, then remind yourself that it s worth it to make ethical decisions!

27 Step 3 - Determine the Facts In the workplace, you may find someone else is cheating or behaving unethically and feel obligated to turn them in. You cannot act on suspicion alone! You must have all the facts.

28 Step 4 - Consider the Options Do nothing Gather more info Do the right thing Doing nothing can sometimes be just as dangerous as doing something. As for doing the right thing, you may have several options to choose from and it can be hard to know which one is best. Look at the merits of all decisions.

29 Step 5 - Consider the Consequences If any of the items on your list of possible actions would require lying, cheating, stealing, hurting others, or being disrespectful, cross it off the list. Ask yourself how you d feel if everyone knew your decision; a decision that only looks good if no one else knows about it, is always the wrong choice.

30

31 Step 6 - Choose Eventually you will have to choose a course of action, and you alone will be responsible for the outcome, but it helps to find a mentor, someone with good character, who can help you choose wisely. Talk to people you respect and trust before making your decision.

32 Step 7 - Monitor Results Because we often must act with imperfect knowledge of what may happen as a consequence of our actions, some decisions may turn out badly. An ethical person monitors his or her decisions, sees where they went wrong, and strives to correct errors and do better in the future

33

34 Checklist for Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas Step 1. Recognize the ethical dilemma. Step 2. Get the facts. Step 3. Identify your options. Step 4. Test each option: Is it legal? Is it right? Is it beneficial? Step 5. Decide which option to follow. Step 6. Ask the Spotlight Questions : To double check your decision. How would I feel if my family found out about my decision? How would I feel if the local newspaper printed my decision? Step 7. Take action.

35 Quick Tips Resist the urge to pass tough decisions on to someone else, assuming they ll know what to do. Sometimes you may have to choose between the lesser of two evils which means there is no choice that won t hurt someone. In such cases, the best choice is generally one that hurts fewest people. Sacrificing yourself in one way or another is seen as one of the most ethical and noble things you can do if the circumstances demand it.

36

37 Managers must provide a good role model by: Being ethical and honest at all times. Telling the truth; don t hide or manipulate information. Admitting failure and not trying to cover it up. Communicating shared ethical values to employees through symbols, stories, and slogans. Rewarding employees who behave ethically and punish those who do not. Protecting employees (whistleblowers) who bring to light unethical behaviors or raise ethical issues.

38 One way to get used to making tough ethical decisions is to practice! Can you think of an ethical problem? How would you solve it?

39

40 Questions Is it wrong to use company for personal reasons? Is it unethical to blame an error you made on a technical glitch? Due to work pressure, have you ever abused/lied about sick days? Due to work pressure, have you ever taken credit for someone else s work or idea? 34 % Say Wrong 61% Say Ethical 11% Said They Have 4% Said They Have

41 Rationalizing Unethical Behavior Four reasons: 1. What I m doing is not really illegal. 2. My behavior is in everyone s best interests. 3. Nobody will ever find out what I ve done. 4. The organization will protect me.

42 The End