TOPIC 2: MANAGE ETHICAL PERFORMANCE

Definition of key terms

 Self-worth: This refers to having a high estimate of self and implies a strong belief in oneself and feeling worthy of things that are good.

Jurisdictional law: These are laws that apply jurisdiction to courts in a country to determine any dispute in employment within employee locality.

 Code of conduct: This refers to the guide or set of rules that outline expected roles and responsibilities, expected behaviors and sanctions for violation of the policies and laws.

 Work place policies and guidelines: A set of rules and procedures that inform the managers and employees of how to behave or act in the work place. They help determine actions and decisions.

2.Observe policies and guidelines as per the workplace requirements

Policies are actions containing goals and the means of attaining them. Policy guide action (Dye, 1972). Guidelines: this refers to rules, principals or advice which streamlines particular process or actions. Policies or guidelines should be observed in the workplace because they are essential in the organization. Policies can be used in resource mobilization and utilization. Solution to problems in the workplace such as tardiness in the organization by employees. Accountability purpose a policy establishes accountability mechanism in the work place. Establishing work standard, policies and guidelines in the work place should be communicated well to all members and made accessible.

3.Exercise self-worth and profession in line with personal goals and organizational policies

The only person to find self-worthiness is the employee himself or herself. He or she cannot control others to depict self-worthiness. Employees should have a high estimate of themselves of how they feel and think of themselves. Individuals with self-worthiness feels that they are good and that they deserve the best and to be treated with respect. Employees should demonstrate the elements of self-worthiness in line with their personal goals and the organization goals. Such include: 

Ability Effect

Performance Self-worth

Employees use their performance and abilities to determine their self-worth.

Observe code of conduct as per the workplace requirements

The code of conduct defines employee behavior and is unique to the organization represented.

Ethical behavior is essential in the organization and should be taken seriously. Each and every individual needs to be held accountable for their work and behavior. Observing the code of conduct is mandatory and thus the employees must be familiar with the code of conduct and adhere to it (Bloch and Coddy, 1996). In most cases, failure to comply with the code of conduct leads to dismissal, disciplinary action or even prosecution. Employees must observe the code of conduct at all times and have a responsibility of reporting any violation of the code. In observing the code of conduct, behavior that is likely to interfere with the ability of the employee in performing their duties thus creating safe and positive work environment.

6.Demonstrate personal and professional integrity as per the personal goals

Integrity is the quality of having strong morals and being honest. Personal integrity entails being honest and sharing consistency in adherence to ethical values and principles. An integral person follows moral conviction in all circumstances.in ethics integrity is honesty and accuracy of an individual action

Meaning of ethics 

Ethics refers to the moral principles that guide a person’s behavior. They stipulate what is right and wrong. Ethics defines human beings morally by defining wrong and right good and evil.

Ethical perspectives

 Ethics use different ethical perspectives to defend their position and such include;

 Moral Rules: Actions are judged as right if they ascribe to moral rules. The action and not the result of the caution is considered. Rules not only means to the end but should be used to treat all equally.

 Virtues: Actions are judged as right if they conform to defined attributes in a community. Character should be considered as acceptable and desirable. Virtues include honesty, courage, forgiveness, etc.

 Principles: Actions are judged as right if they follow principles such as respect of individual, beneficiaries, minimizing harm and justice where others are equally treated and benefits fairly distributed and shared.

 Outcomes: Actions are right if in the outcome, good consequences outdo bad ones. This perspective looks at results of actions to judge whether they are good or acceptable.

 Care: Actions are right if it acknowledges value of interpersonal relationships. for example, which solutions are fair to the involved parties.

Principles of ethics

 Truthfulness: This principle is about testing the truth to individuals who require knowing the truth in a situation, the one urged not to conceal facts or lie.

 Confidentiality: Entails keeping secrets and concealing information that one has a right to. Confidentiality means that information is not shared to other people unless permission is granted.

 Autonomy: Refers to an individual right of self-determination that ought to be respected.

 Beneficiaries: As an ethic principle, one should do well for the client. All actions should promote good to the client.

 Justice: Entails being fair to all clients and individuals while delivering services.

 In other words, the service provider should be impartial in dealing with others.

Ethical standards

 Ethical standards are a set in the organizational and can bring organizational benefits and enhance productivity. Adhering to ethical standards can even attract employee, reduces turnover and enhance sustainability. Ethical standards are derived as:

a)   Legal Ethical Standards

 There are a company policies and guidelines based on laws and regulations from authority.

b) Morally based ethical standards

 They have got foundations in legal standards. This involves doing the right thing and the organization maintain n and a high level of ethics practices to attract customer and efficiently deliver services. Ethical standards are principles that the organization founders use to communicate moral values and use them as recent positions in making decisions. Ethical standards dictate the behavior of the organizational members and act as a moral compass (De Geiorge, 1993).

Organizational code of ethics

 The code of ethics in the organization describes the code of conduct expected based on laws and regulations to enable the organization to conduct its business effectively. The code of ethics offers guidance and sets standards that each and very organizational member adheres to consistently.it also governs actions and relationships from success of organization.

 It requires compliance and adherence of all people.

Common Ethical Dilemmas

 Ethical dilemmas refer to a situation in which a decision intended to be made between two options and neither resolves the problem ethically. Common ethical dilemmas include:

Taking credit for others work

Selling poor quality production for benefit

Conducting personal business on organization time Inappropriate behavior

Stealing in the job

Organizational culture

 This refers to the e collective belief values and behaviors in an organization. This means within the organization regulate employee performance, service to clients and vision execution (Broiwn, Melian, Sol). Organization culture is unique to every organization. Culture is significant in a number of ways i.e.

Forms organizational identity Outlines organizational norms

Improves organizational effectiveness Unites members of the organization

Draws commitment of organization members towards goal achievement

Corruption, bribery and conflict of interest

 Responsibilities and ethical behavior are significant in an organization. However, the above factors are obstacles in responsible behavior.

Corruption

 According to Him (2013), corruption is the abuse of office for private gain and that one is hiding under the cloaks of above of power with violation of the code of ethics stipulated. Corruption is wrong and leads to erosion of culture, wastage of resources, mistrust and poor service delivery. Corruption can be caused by;

Organizational factors: Such as lack of accountability system, weak management, negative culture etc.

 Individual factors: Include greed, disregard for values, opportunity to squander resources

 Societal factors: Weak laws in society, bad governance, poor role modelling etc.

Bribery

 This is the act of giving or receiving something in exchange of something or with the intention of influencing the outcome of a situation .it is unlawful to bribe or to be bribed and to gain illegal advantage.

Conflict of interest

 Involves a conflict between personal interests and duties as an employee. The result is that private interests improperly influence public activities and decisions. Individuals in positions have conflict of interest when they have competing professional and personal interest. This leads to advantage to oneself. All individuals in public office positions should be alert to any form of conflict of interests, act to avoid such conflicts and directions. The interests when aware of them, then finally turn away from the advantages causing the conflict of interest.

Privacy and adapt protection

 Privacy is an individual’s right to their personal information. Data and information resources need to be carefully managed and safeguarded. Data is critical in informing decisions and thus presents a vital concern. All acts the workplace should ensure data management is committed to protect individual’s privacy. This is key in maintaining trust and also in development. Privacy is a human right and then privacy and data protection is a pillar of human dignity. Data should protect against misuse and all possible channels of intrusion to data privacy eliminated.

Diversity, harassment and mutual respect

 Diversity

 Workplace diversity is important in building reputation of the organization by increasing globalization, interaction with people of diverse backgrounds and maintains diversity for competence advantage.

Harassment

 This refers to the threatening behavior directed to an individual or group of employees. This is a form of employment which violates the employment act. Harassment is unwelcome as it results in fear, low productivity and turnover of employees. Workplace harassment is common and employees should be sensitized and measures taken to prevent any form of workplace harassment.

Mutual respect

 Mutual respect enables the individuals to feel that their ideas and presence is valued.

 The manager should not allow disrespectful behavior in the workplace which can lead to toxic culture and cause employee turnover. Instead, mutual respect should be cultivated to reduce workplace stress, increase productivity and performance. In demonstrating mutual respect, employees should manage anger, communicate politely and encourage one another (Baron Baron 2003).

Financial accountability /responsibilities

 Financial responsibility is the process of managing financial resources in productive ways and in the best interest of the individual and organization. Financial accountability refers to holding an individual accountable for financial activities and transactions. Financial accountability and responsibility establish effective financials processes. Financial resources should be effectively utilized in pursuit of organizational goals.

Etiquette

 In the workplace etiquette is important because understanding the expected behavior in work situations impacts have people coercive work. Etiquette which is a behavioral code outlive exceptional in terms of behavior in the workplace should be integrated in all tasks. Visitors should be welcomed and attended properly, care taken handling hard customers and employees to know how to conduct themselves in and around the workplace.

7.Demonstrate commitment to jurisdictional laws as per the workplace requirements

An employment commitment to jurisdiction contract states the country laws that all applies and purports to offer jurisdiction in courts in the same country in determining a dispute. Different nations got different employment laws and policies (Kidner, 2009). Employers resolve jurisdiction issues by outlining in the employment contracts that dispute will be considered within employee locally. The employees need an understanding of eth jurisdiction laws when they negotiate employment contracts and to know the courts that are likely to have jurisdiction in the event a dispute case.

Emerging issues in ethics

 Ethics and ethical issues in the workplace continue to receive attention in organization. This presents challenges, opportunities and improvements.

 Accountability: 

Individuals are held responsible for their actions, ethics and accountability are important elements to modern organizations. The individual should provide information and justify their actions.

Corruption: This is an issue that is greatly undermining ethics. This is demonstrated and evident in governance structures by individuals who gain unlawful or illegal benefits either through bribery or even misusing resources.