You only have to open the newspaper or turn on the television to understand the importance of ethics in business relationships. From employee theft to insider trading, the ethical culture of organizations is being challenged everyday. As a result of the ethical misconduct companies are suffering from damaged reputations, lost business, demoralized workforce, and diminished market values.

Business Ethics: the study and evaluation on decision making by businesses according to moral concepts and judgments. Or more simply put…. learning what is right or wrong and then doing the right thing!

Ethic Awareness is the foundation of an ethical climate. Through ethical awareness, employees learn how to identify problems and how to resolve them.

Establishing a code of conduct is one way an organization can support ethic awareness. A code of conduct typically addresses issues pertaining to; preferred style of dress, avoiding illegal drugs, following instructions of superiors, being reliable and prompt, maintaining confidentiality, not accepting personal gifts from stakeholders as a result of company role, avoiding racial or sexual discrimination, avoiding conflict of interest, com

Caring: compassion, consideration, giving, sharing, kindness, loving

(adapted from: Nash, L. (1981). Ethics Without the Sermon. Harvard Business Review, (59) )

How did the situation occur in the first place?

To better equip employees with decision making, organizations must provide the tools they need. One way of providing the tools for the employees is through training programs.

Along with a code of conduct, an organization may choose to develop a code of ethics.

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