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Ethics in The Workplace: Business Ethics Is Considered An "Oxymoron", A Combination of Contradictory Words

Business ethics and corporate social responsibility have become increasingly important as companies recognize that ethical practices make good business sense. Some common ethical issues that arise in the workplace include cutting corners, covering up incidents, deceiving customers, and taking credit for others' work. To avoid ethical traps, business communicators should set goals that include telling the truth, labeling opinions, being objective, communicating clearly, and giving proper credit. Resolving ethical issues often requires considering alternative solutions and discussing problems with trusted advisors.

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Suzette Villalino
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90 views23 pages

Ethics in The Workplace: Business Ethics Is Considered An "Oxymoron", A Combination of Contradictory Words

Business ethics and corporate social responsibility have become increasingly important as companies recognize that ethical practices make good business sense. Some common ethical issues that arise in the workplace include cutting corners, covering up incidents, deceiving customers, and taking credit for others' work. To avoid ethical traps, business communicators should set goals that include telling the truth, labeling opinions, being objective, communicating clearly, and giving proper credit. Resolving ethical issues often requires considering alternative solutions and discussing problems with trusted advisors.

Uploaded by

Suzette Villalino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ethics in the Workplace

Business Ethics is considered an


“oxymoron”, a combination of
contradictory words.
Before there was “ Greed is good” era
of the 1980s.

Now, there is CSR or Corporate Social


Responsibility.
Ethical awareness grows as
companies recognize that
ethical practices make good
business sense.
TheRiver blindness Disease in
South Africa and Latin
America
There is now an explosion of
ethical awareness because
ethical companies endure less
litigation, less resentment and
less government regulation.
Employees common ethical violations:

Cutting corners on quality


Covering up incidents
Abusing or lying about sick days
Deceiving customers
Lying to a supervisor or underling
Taking credit for a colleague’s ideas
Ethical behavior means doing the right
thing given the circumstances
Five Common Ethical Traps:

The False Necessity Trap- People act


from the belief that they’re doing what
they must do. They convince themselves
that they have no other choice, when in
fact it’s generally a matter of convenience
or comfort.
The Doctrine-of-Relative-Filth Trap-
Unethical actions sometimes look good
when compared with the worse behavior of
others.
The Rationalization Trap- In falling into
the rationalization trap, people try to
explain away unethical actions by
justifying them with excuses.
The Self-Deception Trap- Applicants for
jobs most commonly fall into this trap.
They are willing to inflate grade-point
averages or exaggerate past
accomplishments to impress prospective
employers.
The Ends-Justify-The-Means-Trap-
This trap requires taking unethical actions
to accomplish a desirable goal.
Business communicators can
minimize the danger of falling into
ethical traps by setting specific
ethical goals.
Goals of ethical Business communication:

Tellingthe truth- ethical business


communicators do not intentionally make
statements that are untrue or deceptive.
Labeling Opinions-
Sensitive communicators know the
difference between facts and opinions.
Facts are verifiable and often are
quantifiable; opinions are belief held with
confidence but without substantiation.
Being objective- Ethical business
communicators recognize their own
biases and strive to keep them from
distorting a message
Communicating clearly- Ethical
business communicators feel an
obligation to write clearly so that the
receiver will understand easily and
quickly.
“Plain English Laws” - require
businesses to write policies, warranties
and contracts in language comprehensible
to average readers.

Plain English- means short sentences,


simple words and clear organization.
Giving credit- Ethical communicators
give credit for ideas by:

1. Referring to originator’s names within


the text.
2. Using quotation marks
3. Documenting sources with endnotes,
footnotes, or internal references.
Resolving ethical issues is never easy.
To make it less difficult, identify key
issues:

1. Is the action you are considering


legal?
2. How would you see the problem if
you were on the opposite side?
3. What are alternative solutions?
4.Can you discuss the problem with
someone whose advice you trust?

5. How would you feel if your family,


friends, employer, or coworkers learned
of your action?
The best advice in ethical matters is
contained in the Golden Rule:

“Do unto others as you would have


others do unto you.”
The ultimate solution to all ethics
problems is treating others fairly and
doing what is right to achieve what is
good.

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