Reference no: EM132161845

What your top three takeaways are from this article. As a supervisor or manager, how would you apply these points?

The most important influence on ethical behavior in the workplace is overall company culture, which determines whether employees are valued or belittled and whether stakeholders are treated with trust or suspicion. A company that bases its policies and decisions on deeply rooted ethics will create a culture in which employees are naturally disposed to act ethically, too. The type of integrity that is at the root of an ethical company culture cannot be faked or taught, but it can be contagious and inspiring. As Jill Young of South University's School of Business explains, "If you act with integrity, ethical behavior is just a natural progression."

Customer Service

The values that shape an ethical company culture influence the relationships that a business maintains with its customers. An ethical company will train employees to treat customers with dignity and respect, and to be fair and honest with them. Employees who see such behavior as an integral part of customer service will understand the depth of the company's commitment to ethical behavior. They will likely model their work accordingly because ethical behavior can inspire kindness, honesty and fairness.

Human Resources

Ethical human resource policies are vital to creating and maintaining an ethical company culture. Employees who are treated with basic decency are more likely to be content with their jobs. When employees feel exploited, they are prone to overt unethical behavior such as theft, as well as more subtle offenses such as using company resources for personal gain. When employees are fairly compensated for their work, they are likely to give more to the company and less inclined to take advantage of opportunities to cut corners or exploit situations for personal gain

Product Integrity

A company culture that inspires ethical behavior in its employees will probably provide products and services created with ethical values in mind. For example, a food business that uses optimally fresh ingredients handled in a clean and compliant facility most likely won't have to be dishonest with customers who get sick from eating the company's food. Employees who know they can stand behind the products they sell will probably be inspired to act ethically in other facets of their work life.

Competitive Integrity

Although a company's competitors are often seen as enemies, a truly ethical company extends its solid values to the way it treats its competitors as well as its stakeholders. Calling a competitor, pretending to be a customer and asking questions that you will use to create competing products is dishonest. Employees who are asked to engage in this type of behavior get the message that all company values are questionable, and this impression will interfere with your overall efforts to maintain an ethical workplace.