Everyday Ethics

Does the phrase “Business Ethics” immediately bring to mind the complicated language of Sarbanes- Oxley or some other legalistic red tape that hinders instead of helping to get things done in your organization?  That’s one way to think about ethics in business.  Here’s another:

• When one of your employees calls off sick even though he or she is really not, does that individual understand the choice as one that calls into question his or her personal integrity? Or is it just something that “everybody does?”
• Do people who spread gossip and rumors see the unfairness of their actions, or do they just see themselves as engaging in a harmless pastime?
• If employees believed that wasting supplies and materials was not good stewardship of company resources, would they be more careful?

As you can see from these examples, everyday ethics is not complicated, and there is an ROI for organizations that invest in creating a culture that raises employee awareness and reinforces making positive choices.  The key is breaking the pattern of “everybody does it” thinking that rationalizes bad behavior and replacing it with “we don’t do that here” thinking that supports good choices.  The challenge is for leaders at every level to communicate clearly and consistently and to model the behaviors they want to see employees doing. Having a set of basic principles that are easy to grasp and that everyone agrees upon helps empower consistent behavior and decision making.

As an example, let’s look at the five principles embodied in the Samaritan Center’s Ethics in Business Award, and see how they can be translated to behavior that makes a difference on the shop floor, job site, cubicle and lunch room.

Principle 1: Integrity    Persons with integrity conduct themselves in such a way that their words and actions are consistent, honest and in accordance with organization, industry and professional standards and expectations.

Principle 2: Fairness & Justice   Demonstrating equality and mutual respect by dealing fairly with coworkers, customers and suppliers.  Applying and adhering to the organization’s policies, procedures and programs in a way that is just and consistent for all concerned.

Principle 3:  Stewardship   Being careful and responsible users of resources such as time, finances, materials, supplies, energy, equipment, and tools.

Principle 4: Life –Enhancing   Conducting oneself in a way that affirms life and respects the rights of others, increases quality and value for customers, co-workers, the organization, suppliers and the community.

Principle 5:  Transparency   Being genuine, truthful, open and inclusive in communicating with others.  Demonstrating responsibility and accountability in actions, and loyalty in relationships.

These are five simple, yet powerful principles that make a difference if people practice them daily in their work.  Leaders at every level of the organization can shape the culture by keeping positive principles in the forefront, discussing them in team meetings, looking for “teachable moments’”, reinforcing them when they see an employee putting one of the principles into practice, coaching when they observe someone missing the mark, and walking the talk themselves.  This takes energy and intentionality, but the results are a stronger, healthier organization with increased productivity and profitability as well as customers and employees who are more satisfied. That’s a big win for everyone.