Human Resource Management

Lec - 10: Ethics at Workplace

 What Ethics is?

• “System of moral principles, rules and conducts.”

• The ability to distinguish between right and wrong and

to act accordingly.
Ethics is important in communication
Why Ethics is important in business Communication?
Because:
• Creates credibility
• Unites people
• Work Efficiently
• Improves decision making
• Increases interest over shareholders

Ethics brings a sense of right and wrong in organizations.

• When the law fails
• Ethics stops organizations from harming the society.
 Sources of Ethical Behavior
• Family and relatives
• Friends and co-workers
• Religious beliefs
• Cultural Experience
• The Legal System
• Codes of Conduct
• Social Media
 Unethical behaviors within organization
• Lying to supervisors
• Recording more expenses
• Stealing
• Accepting gifts against company’s policy
• Favoritism
• Taking credit for others work
• Whistle blowing
• Terminating employees without any reason
• Using company property for personal use
 Some Essential for Ethical Behavior:
Virtual values into practice
• Principles
• Build trust and credibility
• Respect for the individual
• Building a culture of open and honest communication
• Sustain the law
• Make tone at the top
Behavior standard of code and conduct:
• What does code and conduct mean to you
• Treat others with respect
 Dilemmas and its Types
Dilemma is a situation where there is no clear easy choice or answer.

Types of Dilemmas

• Double bind dilemmas

In it, victim is placed in “No win situation” forced by another.

• Fairness dilemmas 
Arise when groups are faced with making decisions about how to share their
resources and rewards.
How To Overcome Ethical Dilemmas At
Workplace?
Step1
Developing a workplace policy depends on company’s philosophy, mission
statement and their code of conducts.

Step 2
Give training to employees about workplace ethics. Give instruction methods to
engage employees in learning how to manage and resolve ethical dilemmas or
how to face with ethical issues.
How To Overcome Ethical Dilemmas At
Workplace?
Step 3

Consider whether the organization needs an ethics hotline, which is

confidential service for every employee where employees may contact whenever
they encounter workplace dilemmas that put them into uncomfortable or
threatening positions.
Step 4

Avoid making employment decisions, such as terminations.

Step 5
Design the same policies for every employee at workplace. And use the same
business principles in every circumstance.
 Value Drive Behaviors
Value Attitude Ethical Behavior
Wisdom and Experience promotes wisdom that Information is needed to resolve problems
Knowledge helps to change information into the ethically. And to do what is right.
knowledge.
Self-Control Self-control means effectively Putting personal motivations away and
managing reactions to challenging the acting with impartiality by doing what is
tough situations and temptations. right.

Justice Acting justly and fairly is a long-term Establishing just and mutually agreed
driver of ethical behavior. upon criteria and administering them
fairly to all people.
 Value Drive Behaviors
Value Attitude
Transcendence The belief in a power and source
outside oneself reduces self-serving
actions and increases humility.
Love and Kindness Treating people with kindness helps
increase the reservoir of positive
affection and love.
Courage and Integrity Ethics involve courage to do the
right things consistently without
view to personal consequences.
Ethical Behavior
Putting institutional and/or
stakeholder interests above self-
interests. Identifying a personal
purpose that is associated with
organizational mission.
Recognizing and encouraging
others for their contributions.
Making unpopular decisions based
on fair consideration of the facts.
 Protect the right of clients

• To be treated with respect and dignity.

• To provide information that is accessible, accurate, timely &

understandable.

• To be consulted about needs and preferences, and be involved

in decision-making.
 Cont..
• To have one’s needs met in a professional and ethical
manner.

• To receive an efficient and effective service, delivered

in a timely manner.
 Ethical evaluation of enhancing the checklist
• For the evaluation there need to be clarity about what will be considered a
quality and ethical evaluation
Checklist:

• Independent: Management should not force limits on the remarks and

recommendations of evaluation reports.

• Intentional : The basis for an evaluation and the decisions to be based on it

must be clear from the start.

• Transparent: Important consultation with stakeholders is necessary for

the credibility and utility of the evaluation.
 Cont..
• Ethical: Evaluation must not be a sign of personal interests.

• Impartial: Removing unfairness and maximizing neutrality are important

for the credibility of the evaluation.

• Timely: Evaluations must be planned and completed in a timely manner so

as to make sure the usefulness of the findings and recommendations.

• Systematic Inquiry: Evaluators carry out systematic, data-based inquiries

about whatever is being evaluated.
 Developing Quality Via Practices Work.

• Workplace practices are the procedures and practices affecting how

work gets performed in organization.
 Social Responsibilities Issue At The Workplace

• Socially Responsible means that people and organisations must

behave ethically and with sensitivity toward social, cultural,
economic and environmental issues.
How management can avoid/address any
conflict of interest at workplace?

• Apply working decision on the bases of merit.

• Build understanding between management and employees.

• Acknowledge the contribution and give clear cut paraphrase to

avoid the ineffectiveness and ambiguity.
Simple three methods from which management
should apply and resolve the conflict

• Clarify the problem

• Generate the possible solution

• Evaluate the solution

 What is Ethical framework for sentencing
guidelines at workplace?

• Sophisticated and healthy environment at workplace.

 Some points of Compliance Program
• Maintain standard and procedures

• High level oversight

• Care in delegation of authority

• Effective communication

• Accountability
 Final Conclusion
Avoid

•Avoid disobeying the rules and regulations of the organization.

•Favoritism should be avoided at workplace.

•Unethical HR decisions for hiring and firing should be avoided.