Developing a code of business conduct
A code of conduct is a set of business ethics that are meant to guide workers at work with integrity and honesty. If I owned a small business I would definitely develop a business code of conduct because permeating certain aspects of the business would require given ethical directions followed by the employees. Further, it is also essential in integrating the values and the mission of the business through a code of ethics. Some of the variables that I would include in my code of ethics would dictate attendance and punctuality, equality, discrimination and harassment as well as the use of the business property.
Implementing a code of business ethics
Formulating a set of business code of conduct is one thing and ensuring that the conduct is implemented to letter is another thing. To ensure that business conducts are effectively understood and acted upon, then every employee should have a copy of the ethics they are set to follow. Having a corporate training programme that emphasizes the business ethics should be implemented. Further, the effectiveness of the code should be determined to measure the implementation of the code in the business. This is equally essential for the business because it will give feedback on the employees’ enthusiasm towards business ethics and in the process develop more measures to ensure the code is believed and acted upon.
The concept of ‘whistleblowing’ in business
Whistleblowing in business is a form of reporting wrongdoing by another employee. Misconducts in business have the potential to affect the performance of the business and therefore the management must get the grievances so that proper action can be taken. Whistleblowing should therefore not be considered as ratting on another employee but as a form of allowing justice to reach to all depths of the business. It also helps the company combat fraud and protects the customers and employees at the same time. Caution should be carried out and the business must be at the forefront of protecting whistleblowers so that they are not victimized by other employees.
Business strategies from an environmental perspective
Without a doubt, businesses come into contact with the environment seamlessly every moment of their operation. Firms affect the environment both directly and indirectly. Therefore, there is need to have business strategies implement sustainability in their plan which will ensure that negative environmental effects are sustained. Possible damage to the environment that might be experienced from the firm should be mitigated by incorporating strategies in the business that will reinforce the positive effects on the environment.
Relationship between personal and business ethics
Personal and business ethics are both regarded as key drives and moral principles in the behavior of the employees (Kramer Lindsay). Personal ethics will be entities such as loyalty, honesty, trustworthy, respect and friendly. Such personal ethics find their way to be the course of business ethics. Most businesses will emphasis on adherence to values such as transparency, honesty, integrity and commitment. Such values will often translate to personal values that a majority of people uphold.
Sometimes business ethics and personal ethics might clash in certain situations. Certain business ethics that are emphasized in the workplace might conflict with personal values of an individual causing stress and discomfort at the workplace. This will cost either the business or the individual to lose on one end. In other cases, employees might bring personal ethics to the business that eventually cause problems for the company and the consumers. For instance, a manager who promotes employees upholding the beliefs of Christianity goes against the ethics of a company in promoting fairness. Evidently, workplace ethics and personal ethics will clash and cause a moral conflict which can lead to undesirable decisions being taken. However, on the brighter side, the relationship between personal and professional ethics should be maintained in an equilibrium state which neither affects the business and the individual negatively.
Work cited
Kramer Lindsay. Similarities between personal ethics and business ethics. Bizfluent. 2019. Retrieved from https://bizfluent.com/info-7742837-similarities-personal-ethics-business-ethics.html