chapter 9 workplace ethicssucceeding in the world of work ethical behavior 9.2 section opener /...

Chapter 9 • Workplace Ethics Succeeding in the World of Work

Ethical BehaviorEthical Behavior9.2

SECTION OPENER / CLOSERINSERT BOOK COVER ART

Section 9.2Section 9.2Ethical BehaviorEthical Behavior



WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Why ethics are important in the Why ethics are important in the workplaceworkplace

How you can behave ethically in How you can behave ethically in the workplacethe workplace



Your ability to behave ethically in Your ability to behave ethically in the workplace will enable you to the workplace will enable you to earn the trust and respect of your earn the trust and respect of your employers and coworkers.employers and coworkers.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT



ethicsethicsconfidentialityconfidentialityprejudiceprejudice

KEY TERMS



EthicsEthics are the principles of conduct that are the principles of conduct that govern a group or society; the values govern a group or society; the values that help people decide what is right and that help people decide what is right and what is wrong.what is wrong.

Some companies have programs to Some companies have programs to promote ethics.promote ethics.

Ethical BehaviorEthical BehaviorEthical BehaviorEthical Behavior



Employers expect their employees to be Employers expect their employees to be honest.honest.

Dishonesty is the cause of most ethical Dishonesty is the cause of most ethical problems in the workplace.problems in the workplace.

HonestyHonesty HonestyHonesty



One lie can destroy your reputation.One lie can destroy your reputation.

An honest worker has a much better An honest worker has a much better chance of being successful in a career.chance of being successful in a career.

HonestyHonesty HonestyHonesty



One way to demonstrate honesty is to One way to demonstrate honesty is to be truthful in reporting your work hours.be truthful in reporting your work hours.

What might be the consequence if What might be the consequence if employees are dishonest about the time employees are dishonest about the time they work?they work?

Honesty About TimeHonesty About Time Honesty About TimeHonesty About Time



Taking money out of the cash drawer is Taking money out of the cash drawer is clearly dishonest.clearly dishonest.

What about altering a taxi receipt to What about altering a taxi receipt to increase your reimbursable expenses—increase your reimbursable expenses—is this dishonest?is this dishonest?

Honesty About MoneyHonesty About MoneyHonesty About MoneyHonesty About Money



Think about how your actions might Think about how your actions might appear to others.appear to others.

Remember that dishonesty becomes Remember that dishonesty becomes easier with practice, so it is better not to easier with practice, so it is better not to start.start.

HonestyHonestyHonestyHonesty



Don’t illegally copy company software Don’t illegally copy company software for personal use.for personal use.

Don’t take office supplies home.Don’t take office supplies home.

Respecting Employers’ PropertyRespecting Employers’ Property Respecting Employers’ PropertyRespecting Employers’ Property



If your supervisor knows you are If your supervisor knows you are stealing stamps, will he or she put you in stealing stamps, will he or she put you in charge of more costly items?charge of more costly items?

Respecting Employers’ PropertyRespecting Employers’ Property Respecting Employers’ PropertyRespecting Employers’ Property



Interactions with others may also involve Interactions with others may also involve ethical issues.ethical issues.

Interacting with OthersInteracting with OthersInteracting with OthersInteracting with Others



CConfidentialityonfidentiality means keeping secrets means keeping secrets from people who are not supposed to from people who are not supposed to know them.know them.

Your company, coworkers, friends, and Your company, coworkers, friends, and family will expect you to observe family will expect you to observe confidentiality.confidentiality.

Confidentiality Confidentiality Confidentiality Confidentiality



On the surface, confidentiality seems On the surface, confidentiality seems easy.easy.

Sometimes, though, there are conflicting Sometimes, though, there are conflicting interests.interests.

Consider the following dilemma.Consider the following dilemma.

Confidentiality Confidentiality Confidentiality Confidentiality

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ETHICS in Action

Sharing SecretsSharing SecretsYou recently stared working at a new You recently stared working at a new software company. Your new supervisor software company. Your new supervisor wants you to tell her everything you know wants you to tell her everything you know about a secret program that you were about a secret program that you were working on at your old company. working on at your old company.

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ETHICS in Action

Sharing SecretsSharing SecretsYou never signed a confidentiality You never signed a confidentiality agreement, but you know that the program agreement, but you know that the program will be a great accomplishment for your will be a great accomplishment for your former company once it is released. Your former company once it is released. Your supervisor tells you that you will receive a supervisor tells you that you will receive a large bonus and a promotion if you tell her large bonus and a promotion if you tell her about the program.about the program. continued



ETHICS in Action

Sharing SecretsSharing Secrets

THINK ABOUT ITTHINK ABOUT ITWould you tell her about the program? Why Would you tell her about the program? Why or why not?or why not?



Virtually every business includes men Virtually every business includes men and women of different races, cultural and women of different races, cultural backgrounds, and religions.backgrounds, and religions.

Treat everyone fairly, openly, and Treat everyone fairly, openly, and honestly.honestly.

FairnessFairnessFairnessFairness



PPrejudicerejudice is an unjustifiable negative is an unjustifiable negative attitude toward a person or group.attitude toward a person or group.




Prejudice can express itself as:Prejudice can express itself as:


racist or sexist comments,racist or sexist comments,stereotyping,stereotyping,name calling, andname calling, andunfair generalizations.unfair generalizations.



Prejudice in any form is hurtful, Prejudice in any form is hurtful, offensive, and unacceptable.offensive, and unacceptable.

Employees can be fired for practicing Employees can be fired for practicing prejudice, and companies can be sued.prejudice, and companies can be sued.



Ethical BehaviorEthical Behavior9.2 Graphic OrganizerGraphic Organizer9.2


Ethical BehaviorEthical BehaviorEthical BehaviorEthical Behavior

EthicalBehavior

RespectPrivacy

BeHonest

RejectPrejudice

MaintainConfidentiality+ ++ =



If you experience or observe prejudice in If you experience or observe prejudice in the workplace, consider whether it was the workplace, consider whether it was an isolated incident.an isolated incident.

If the offense is deliberate, don’t ignore If the offense is deliberate, don’t ignore it, but don’t act rashly either.it, but don’t act rashly either.

Handling Unethical Practices Handling Unethical Practices Handling Unethical Practices Handling Unethical Practices



If you’re dealing with a customer, simply If you’re dealing with a customer, simply walk away and report the incident to walk away and report the incident to your supervisor.your supervisor.

If you’re dealing with a coworker, you If you’re dealing with a coworker, you might tell him or her you will not tolerate might tell him or her you will not tolerate his or her prejudiced behavior.his or her prejudiced behavior.




If that does not work, talk to your If that does not work, talk to your supervisor about your coworker’s supervisor about your coworker’s offensive behavior.offensive behavior.

Look for solutions, not revenge.Look for solutions, not revenge.




If your employer is unethical and you If your employer is unethical and you decide to take action, these pointers decide to take action, these pointers may help:may help:


Keep a detailed written record.Keep a detailed written record.Check your observations with others.Check your observations with others.Get advice from people you trust.Get advice from people you trust.

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Check your motives. Are you acting Check your motives. Are you acting for the right reasons?for the right reasons?Collect any evidence you can.Collect any evidence you can.Decide whether you want to remain Decide whether you want to remain anonymous or speak up openly.anonymous or speak up openly.Report only facts or observations. Report only facts or observations. Don’t exaggerate or speculate.Don’t exaggerate or speculate.




Never compromise your own values.Never compromise your own values.Do not engage in activities that leave Do not engage in activities that leave you uncomfortable.you uncomfortable.Develop and maintain integrity.Develop and maintain integrity.Respect the values of your coworkers Respect the values of your coworkers and people you interact with on the job.and people you interact with on the job.Avoid gossip and rumors.Avoid gossip and rumors.

CAREER CHECKLISTCAREER CHECKLISTWhen Faced With Ethical Decisions in the Workplace…When Faced With Ethical Decisions in the Workplace…

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Speak with your boss or a trusted Speak with your boss or a trusted supervisor if you are faced with an ethical supervisor if you are faced with an ethical problem.problem.

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Remember that you are held accountable Remember that you are held accountable for your actions, including letters and for your actions, including letters and e-maile-mail—don’t say or do anything that you —don’t say or do anything that you would not like to be known to the public.would not like to be known to the public.Find a new job if your company’s ethics Find a new job if your company’s ethics don’t match your own.don’t match your own.




Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointComprehensionComprehension

1.1. Imagine that you’ve observed a Imagine that you’ve observed a coworker lying to a customer. How coworker lying to a customer. How might this unethical behavior affect might this unethical behavior affect you?you?

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SECTION 9.2 REVIEWSECTION 9.2 REVIEW



Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointComprehensionComprehension

2.2. Of the different kinds of ethical Of the different kinds of ethical behavior, which do you think will be behavior, which do you think will be your biggest challenge? Why?your biggest challenge? Why?

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Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointCritical ThinkingCritical Thinking

3.3. Are you born with a set of ethics, or Are you born with a set of ethics, or do you acquire ethical beliefs and do you acquire ethical beliefs and attitudes through experience?attitudes through experience?




SECTION OPENER / CLOSERINSERT BOOK COVER ART

End of Section 9.2End of Section 9.2Ethical BehaviorEthical Behavior

chapter 9 workplace ethicssucceeding in the world of work ethical behavior 9.2 section opener /...

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