Importance of Ethics

Definition of Ethics:

The branch of philosophy that deals with morality. Ethics is concerned with distinguishing between good and evil in the world, between right and wrong human actions, and between virtuous and non virtuous characteristics of people.

 

Importance of Ethics.

Most of us would agree that it is ethics in practice that makes sense; just having it carefully drafted and redrafted in books may not serve the purpose. Of course all of us want businesses to be fair, clean and beneficial to the society. For that to happen, organizations need to abide by ethics or rule of law, engage themselves in fair practices and competition; all of which will benefit the consumer, the society and organization.

Primarily it is the individual, the consumer, the employee or the human social unit of the society who benefits from ethics. In addition ethics is important because of the following:

1. Satisfying Basic Human Needs: Being fair, honest and ethical is one the basic human needs. Every employee desires to be such himself and to work for an organization that is fair and ethical in its practices.
2. Creating Credibility: An organization that is believed to be driven by moral values is respected in the society even by those who may have no information about the working and the businesses or an organization  for example is perceived as an organization for good corporate governance and social responsibility initiatives. This perception is held far and wide even by those who do not even know what business the organization is into.
3. Uniting People and Leadership: An organization driven by values is revered by its employees also. They are the common thread that brings the employees and the decision makers on a common platform. This goes a long way in aligning behaviors within the organization towards achievement of one common goal or mission.
4. Improving Decision Making: A man’s destiny is the sum total of all the decisions that he/she takes in course of his life. The same holds true for organizations. Decisions are driven by values. For example an organization that does not value competition will be fierce in its operations aiming to wipe out its competitors and establish a monopoly in the market.
5. Long Term Gains: Organizations guided by ethics and values are profitable in the long run, though in the short run they may seem to lose money. Tata group, one of the largest business conglomerates in India was seen on the verge of decline at the beginning of 1990’s, which soon turned out to be otherwise. The same company’s Tata NANO car was predicted as a failure, and failed to do well but the same is picking up fast now.
6. Securing the Society: Often ethics succeeds law in safeguarding the society. The law machinery is often found acting as a mute spectator, unable to save the society and the environment. Technology, for example is growing at such a fast pace that the by the time law comes up with a regulation we have a newer technology with new threats replacing the older one. Lawyers and public interest litigation's may not help a great deal but ethics can.

Ethics tries to create a sense of right and wrong in the organizations and often when the law fails, it is the ethics that may stop organizations from harming the society or environment.

Role of Management in Inculcating Workplace Ethics:

Management plays an essential role in inculcating workplace ethics in employees. Bosses need to set an example for their subordinates. You need to come on time if you expect your team members to reach office on time.

Management needs to act as a source of inspiration for the employees. It is generally observed that team managers, leaders influence their team members to a large extent. Superiors strictly need to adhere to the rules and regulations of the organization for their employees to follow the same. Remember, you have no rights to scold your subordinates if you yourself are at fault. Moreover no one would bother to listen to you as well. Don’t expect your team members to sit till late if you yourself leave early.

It is the role of the management to motivate the employees and guide them as to what is right and wrong. Remember a boss is like the captain of the ship. It is your responsibility to take your team members along and provide constant mentoring. Rebuking is not the only solution. If you know one of your team members is meeting his girlfriend during office hours, do you feel insulting or criticizing in front of others would help? NO. Call him to your cabin or speak to him in private and make him realize that it is not morally correct to bunk office. You need to counsel him and make him understand his mistake politely. Trust me, being rude would make the situation more worse. Do not discuss the matter in front of others. The other person might not like it. Your job is to make the other person feel guilty and realize that indeed he has done something wrong. Believe me; he would never repeat his mistake

Constant communication between the management and employees is of utmost importance in inculcating workplace ethics. Management ought to be transparent with its employees. Let them have a say in company’s decisions. Let them decide what is right and what is wrong for them. Sit with them, discuss, brainstorm ideas and listen to what they have to say. Never ignore their opinions. Let them come out with their grievances.

Lend a sympathetic ear to their problems as well. Try to provide them a solution. If you feel most of your employees have a problem coming to office early as they in any case have to stay back till late in the evening as per the client’s availability, please adjust the office timings accordingly. How can you expect your employees to reach office sharp at 8 AM when they are leaving for the day at 10 PM. Remember, rules and regulations should not act as a hindrance in their performance. Be realistic and logical. If the problem is genuine and faced by a major chunk of employees, there is no harm in changing the policies. Think from the employee’s perspective as well. Policies should not be too rigid.

Don’t be too strict with the employees. If someone is not present in the office, please do not call his family members to enquire about him. No one would like it. We all are mature professionals to understand that if there is work, we need to finish it first rather than waste our time in gossiping and surfing social networking sites. Management can’t force employees to respect the organization. Respect must be commanded and not demanded. Respect your employees if you expect the same in return

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Some organizations do not easily release their employees. Remember, you cannot stop an individual from changing his job if he/she has already decided to move on. Try to convince him once and if he/she is still not willing to continue, let him go. Employees depend on fake relieving letters, experience certificates when they do not get it from their previous organization on time.

Reference :Prachi Juneja” and Reviewed By Management Study Guide(MSG)