what are the ways of encouraging ethical behavior among employees

These are five key ways: 1. Communicate ethical expectations. Always be ethical; ethical behavior is acting within certain moral codes in accordance with the generally accepted code of conduct or rules. Offer ethics training. If employees in a company make an agreement to treat each other more ethically, such as by refraining from certain kinds of office politics, the workplace will not only be a more amicable place, but also will, in most cases, be more productive. If managers really want to promote ethical behavior they need to reward it when they see it. Employees observe and copy the behavior of their team leaders, managers and organizational leadership. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. ... company goals while developing good relationships in the workplace but it is equally important to focus on ethical conduct among employees. For instance, employees may be required to dress in a defined way and use acceptable language as indicated in codes of conduct. For some, it is a physical office they go to every day, while others, their home office. Unethical behavior is costly, such as employee theft. Employees observe and copy the behavior of their team leaders, managers and organizational leadership. For example, ensure that all employees know the safety standards for the products you manufacture and repair. Research by Neubert, Carlson, Kacmar, Roberts, and Chonko (2009) has demonstrated that managers can serve as influential role models for employees. Communicating the code of ethics: The preliminary step to promote ethical behavior among employees is by establishing a code of ethics. It is important for managers to focus on accomplishing company goals while developing good relationships in the workplace but it is equally important to focus on ethical conduct among employees. Team-based participatory management, where employees provide meaningful input in the organization's decision-making process, and share the financial gains associated with improved performance, creates a sense of ownership, communal experience, and accountability among employees. Employees generally follow the examples set forth for them by management. The ethics of your organization affect your reputation, clients, employees and overall success. Ethical Behavior Differs Among Generations. 45. influencing employees’ ethical behavior at the workplace. We all know that trust is a priceless trait that can lead to great success. Research shows that businesses with strong ethical cultures have shown a reduction in employee misconduct. It’s important to create ethical standards of excellence and reward employees who follow these standards. As the head of a law firm, you have a responsibility to not only ensure your own ethical behavior, but also to promote principled practices within your practice. The code of ethics provides the direction and guidelines for employees’ ethical behavior. Employees can more easily determine and adopt acceptable behavior when companies provide them with a "code of ethics." July 15, 2011. Ethical conduct will ensure that your business maintains a reputation of professional principles and values. Many employees … This article has been viewed 46,060 times. For example, ask industry-specific interview questions such as, “Is it more important to meet a deadline or to ensure a product exceeds safety standards?” or “What would you do if you knew a coworker took bribes?”. Ethical behavior should be included in performance reviews and managers can encourage it by showing gratitude when they see it. 3 min readEthics are important within any industry, but the practice of law requires an extremely high standard of ethical behavior from its members. Here are some ways for organizations to encourage ethical behavior. “Do as I say, not as I do,” and “They’re breaking the rules, so I can, too,” mentalities can lead to a toxic company culture. How Can We Create Ethical Organizations? The unspoken understanding among employees of what is and is not acceptable behavior is called: a. Corporate indiscretion, wrongdoing, and corruption are perpetually the subject of media attention as well-known companies such as Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, and most recently the News of the World, have been found guilty of unlawful behavior; and the U.S. economic crisis has in part been blamed on unethical … More specifi Having codes and policies in place that address ethics is not enough. Therefore, many managers enroll their employees in an ethics training program. When managers are respectful to their staff they are able to develop a trusting relationship that encourages ethical behavior. When senior management is observed (by subordinates) to take the ethical high road, it sends a positive message for all employees. Unethical behavior in the workplace has been around since the beginning of time but that doesn’t mean it has to be acceptable in your company. Workers or employees are the most important stakeholders of a company. In a workplace, employees are expected to uphold certain outlined ethical behaviors. Both are required in order to enforce the company's ethical standards. Such codes are perhaps the most effective way to encourage ethical behavior. Managers should also hold regular workshops on ethics and demonstrate how employees can solve problems ethically. Employees need to be taught how to respond in situations involving ethics. A code of ethics is a written guide to acceptable and ethical behavior that outlines uniform policies, standards and punishments for violations. If a manager catches an employee doing something right, they should stop and thank them. Four Ways Your Leadership May Be Encouraging Unethical Behavior. What Does Ethical Behavior Mean? Their interests need to be given importance. While an important part of a company’s infrastructure, internal communications can sometimes be pushed to the wayside, leaving HR departments to pick up the slack and keep employees engaged. The research discussed below demonstrates that although they are necessary, laws alone are not sufficient. Every scenario will have appro… Allowing staff to use role-playing to demonstrate what types of behavior are considered unethical (and should be reported) is an excellent tool to reinforce your code. Whether an employee is the victim of sexual assault or witnesses unethical business practices, they need to know that they can report misconduct without fear of retaliation. Ethical behavior also builds self-esteem, which will develop to trust amongst employees. 6 Ways to Encourage Your Employees to Report Misconduct. The code of ethics provides the direction and guidelines for employees’ ethical behavior. Managers could also implement a system where employees can anonymously submit examples of their colleagues behaving ethically. Here are 14 tips from entrepreneurs on how to better motivate your staff. Aug 12th 2013. Putting these values into practice starts at the top, and executive officers must set the tone for the rest of the company. Expectations Ensure that your company states its values in the employee handbook and that these values are talked about and implemented in everyday business matters by all employees in a supervisory capacity. wikiHow's. This all starts at the top. Employee engagement has emerged as a popular organizational concept in recent years. Educate employees about industry-specific regulations, but don’t limit your ethical standards to legal codes. It helps an organisation maintain a reputation for strong values that directly align with its mission. Employees Feel Threatened to Speak Out. Making public statements (e.g., a code of ethics) about the importance of ethical behavior. What Does Ethical Behavior Mean? The ethics of your organization affect your reputation, clients, employees and overall success. But you're forgetting to measure what matters most to overall success: ethical behavior. It’s important to create ethical standards of excellence and reward employees who follow these standards. How Ethical Behavior is Encouraged There are certain ways of encouraging ethical behavior among employees. While these challenges must all be met by organiza tions and managers concerned about survival and competitiveness in the future, this paper will focus on the challenge of ethical behavior. One may cherish ethical choices, and yet he/she can act in unethical ways, against his/her better judgment, due to the influence of organismic lust. Executive leaders have five key resources at their disposal: capital assets, information, money, people and time. Therefore, hiring ethical people will positively influence the behavior of the employees. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Oftentimes companies expect ethical behavior but they fail to acknowledge it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Promote-Ethical-Behavior-in-the-Workplace-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Promote-Ethical-Behavior-in-the-Workplace-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Promote-Ethical-Behavior-in-the-Workplace-Step-1.jpg\/aid9618283-v4-728px-Promote-Ethical-Behavior-in-the-Workplace-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"