Management Information |
Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Workplace Ethics: Reaching the Highest Standard
This article relates to the Ethics in the Workplace competency, commonly evaluated in employee surveys. It gives examples of how employees and customers consider ethical behavior and sound values an integral part of your organization. This competency covers a variety of topics like customer treatment, employee professionalism, and expected/acceptable organizational behaviors. At a high level, this competency will investigate the standards by which your employees treat your customers, co-workers, and the organization itself. This short story, Workplace Ethics: Reaching the Highest Standard, is part of AlphaMeasure's compilation, Tales from the Corporate Frontlines. It provides insight into one organization's efforts to establish and maintain the highest possible standard of ethics in the workplace. Anonymous Submission When I began working at a local no-profit organization, I had little experience with the concept of workplace ethics. My previous jobs had been in retail and health care, where I'd worked in team environments, and the companies I'd worked for weren't ethics oriented. I'd seen a few memos dealing with issues like sexual harassment, but no extensive workplace ethics programs appeared to be in place. When a situation arose that involved an ethics issue, employees turned to immediate supervisors for direction and then followed that direction. So, I was surprised when, only two weeks into my new job, I was asked to join a focus group dedicated to revamping the organization's ethics program. The Human Resources department was gathering info to use in conjunction with data to be gained from an upcoming employee satisfaction survey. I agreed to participate, making it clear that I had no idea what was involved, but would do my best to make the group's effort a success. When I arrived at the first meeting, I didn't know what to expect. The facilitator made it clear from the start that the main purpose of the group was to gain feedback about employee estimation of the current workplace ethics program. He handed out an information packet containing the applicable policies as well as all the procedures currently in place. We were asked to review it all and return with our honest comments and reactions with regard to effectiveness, compatibility with our personal values, and relationship to the organizational culture. Evaluation forms were provided to help with this process. He also made it clear that all participation was completely voluntary, and we should not feel pressure to discuss any issues with which we felt uncomfortable. We were also asked to consider: * Whether the company wide standards of conduct were strict enough It was a thorough and complete review process. Finally, it occurred to me that as a non-profit organization, we really had an obligation to be sure that we were operating within the highest possible ethical standards. At the end of the process, and after the results from the employee satisfaction survey were in, changes would be made as needed to ensure that we had an exceptional workplace ethics program in place. A good thing, in my opinion, for any company that wants to strengthen its reputation and create a highly ethical workplace culture. © 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes the author bio information, and all links remain active. b>Measure. Report. Improve your organization with AlphaMeasure employee surveys. Josh Greenberg is President of AlphaMeasure, Inc. AlphaMeasure provides organizations of all sizes a powerful web based method for measuring employee satisfaction, determining employee engagement, and increasing employee retention. Launch your employee satisfaction survey with AlphaMeasure.
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Five Habits of Highly Effective Conflict Resolvers Steven Covey had the right idea. There are discreet skills and attitudes, habits if you will, that can elevate your conflict practice to a new level. PR Still a Mystery to Some Unfortunately, there are managers who define public relations by its applications. Which explains neither its underlying strengths nor what PR is all about. Dont Hire Squirrels to be Your Top Dogs Bad hiring decisions cost organizations, both in dollars and lost opportunities. But getting the right people in the right places doing the right thing is not easy. Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Managerial Influence This article relates to the Manager/Supervisor competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. This competency evaluates an employee's feelings regarding their direct manager or supervisor. Downsizing in Organisations - The Real Truth I've met and worked with many people in all sectors of the business world and found that the majority of managers and team leaders are spending too much of their time on basic administrative tasks. Tasks for which they have had no training in. Steps to Build ISO 9001 Compliant Program Implementing an ISO 9001 system represents a major effort. However, all of that effort can represent a significant shift for a business - from quantity to quality. Feedback - Make it Descriptive Have you ever heard yourself say to a team member - "You'rereally great" - "You're a star" - I think you're brilliant"- "You're doing a great job!"It's got to be a plus point that you're giving ConfirmingFeedback and there's nothing intrinsically wrong with any ofthe statements above; however, they could be better. Thereis also the danger that these statements could come acrossas a bit patronising. Prioritise Your Day - Keep Focus - Win! Whether you run your own business or manage a team, there are times when things don't go to plan. Like:-Your key people don't show up. Management Training: Are You Satisfied With The Results? If you're not satfied with the results of your management training programs, maybe it's because you handle training as a 'one shot' event rather than a process of developing your people to be better managers.One of the common misconceptions is that a manager can take a course and voila he is now skilled in communicating with others, or managing his time or delegating work. 10 Ways New Managers Become Great Leaders "It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead and find no one there." - Franklin D. Great Groups! - Getting a Group to Think Like a Genius Great Groups! - Getting a Group to Think Like a Genius Wouldn't it be great to have an Edison or Einstein, or Mozart at your next meeting? If you had a genius at your meeting, do you think you might come up with better results? Let me be the first to tell you that those people won't be at your next meeting. But there are some things you can do as a facilitator - some techniques and tactics that you can use with the group that will help them work better. Effective Meetings: Why Most Meetings are a Waste of Time Whether your company holds one meeting a week or dozens of meetings a day it is essential that this time is used efficiently and effectively. Most meetings are less effective than they could be not because they are poorly managed, but because meeting managers spend all of their time focusing on the one or two hours when people will be gathered around the conference table or video screen. Organizational Capital in Politics, War, Sports and Business Intangible Corporate Assets such as Organizational Capital, Blue Sky and Brand Name Capital, actually they all have a common thread in my opinion. Here are some thoughts on these issues. Smart Staffing Practices: Don't Confuse Activity with Results Does your hiring process consist of proven practices or just a hodgepodge of activities that get into gear when someone says, "I need more people" or "Sally has left and we need someone to take her place NOW?"Smart hiring is more than running ads, screening, interviewing and checking references. It is a series of specific procedures that can work well or create bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Oasis in a Cash Flow Desert - Four Resources That Increase Small Business Capital Streams For small business owners, an enthusiastic vision for smooth, steady growth can become nothing more than a mirage once company cash flow problems begin to heat up. Most will struggle with the timing of payment from clients or customers at some point, all while attempting to pay their own bills in a timely fashion. Difficult Employees-Poor Performance - 10 Tips for Dealing with it in the Workplace I personally struggle with the term 'managing people' - because I firmly believe that people cannot be managed - only processes and systems can. How many times have you heard it said - "Why won't my employees just do as they are asked?"Despite all our best efforts at 'managing', we have very little control over other people's actions, including the people that work with or for us. A Winning Way to Handle New Ideas Janet DiClaudio, who was charge of medical records at two large American hospitals, had an unusual problem. But, the past master in finding creative solutions to work related problems that she was, she found an equally unusual solution. How to Reduce Temporary Employee Turnover The use of temporary services to stock a farm of employees is beneficial in a number of ways for an employer, and detrimental in others; but the one that will always be heard is that good labor is hard to find when using these services.This is a very real and expensive reality for some, and the blame always falls on the employee. 3 Steps You Can Use Developing Leaders In Your Industry With the economy bordering on a recession, every company is looking for ways to increase revenues while decreasing costs. Some companies believe one of the easiest ways to do this is to cut their employee training budget. Implementing Change There are different reactions that individuals experience during time of change. Understanding the emotions of an individual may better help them get through the period of unexpected change. |
home | site map | contact us |