Office of Instructional Improvement
Renton Technical College
Volume 1, Issue 9
June 2006
WORKING! The E-Zine of the Campus
This month’s topic is Ethics, which, according to Webster, is the embodiment of those values
that the person or organization feels are important… and spell out proper conduct and
appropriate action.
Check Yourself
Click on this link to take a short anonymous ethics quiz
http://www.quia.com/quiz/791104.html. The quiz tells you if your answer is correct.
If you want a more full explanation of answers see T:\SHARED\Instructional
Improvement\Ethics Quiz Answers.
Looking the other way
Sometimes when we notice wrongdoing, and we aren't directly involved, we don't
report it, and we don't intervene. We look the other way. Typically, we do this to
avoid the risks of making a report. But looking the other way is also risky. What
are the risks of looking the other way?
http://www.chacocanyon.com/pointlookout/051012.shtml
“Good ethical choices do not happen. They are the product of knowledge, wisdom, education,
and virtuous habit.” Admiral Charles R. Larson
Is honesty the policy in the workplace?
According to findings of the CareerBuilder.com “Honesty in the Workplace” survey, nearly 20
percent of the workers polled for the survey admitted they lie on the job at least once a week.
And some of them aren’t good at it because 15 percent of the survey respondents said they’ve
been caught fudging the truth at work. Check out the excuses and reasons at
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/careerbytes/CBArticle.aspx?cbsid=c9ba9b90e58341f7
a4f76dcfd81d5eb0-203192157-RD-1&articleID=473
Lie detection
How do you tell if someone is lying to you? What are the common signs of
untruthful communication? Is it wise to confront a lie or “let it lie?”
http://www.chacocanyon.com/pointlookout/040804.shtml
Privacy
You're at lunch with a friend, who's obviously upset. You ask why. "You have to promise not to
tell a soul," is the response. You promise. And there the trouble begins.
http://www.chacocanyon.com/pointlookout/010725.shtml
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it the superficial appearance of being right.”
Thomas Paine
E-mail ethics
The rules of right and wrong should apply equally to every interaction, including that
carried out with e-mail. Whatever you would consider unethical in life is also unethical in
email. For instance, if lying is unethical, so is lying in email. This article talks about
some situations you may have not considered as unethical.
http://www.chacocanyon.com/pointlookout/050406.shtml
“The reputation of a thousand years is determined by the conduct of one hour.” Japanese
Proverb
The Washington State Ethics Law lays down certain core ethical principles:
“State officials and employees of government hold a public trust that obligates
them, in a special way, to honesty and integrity in fulfilling responsibilities to
which they are elected and appointed. Paramount in that trust is the principle
that public office, whether elected or appointed, may not be used for personal
gain or private advantage.” RCW 42.52.900
These key ethical concepts are from Ethics is for Everyone, a publication of the Washington
State Executive Ethics Board.
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Selflessness Employees in public service should make decisions solely in terms of the
public interest. They should not make any decision in order to gain financial or other
benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity Employees in public service should not place themselves under any financial or
other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the
performance of their official duties.
Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments or
awarding contracts, choices should be made on the merits.
Accountability Employees in Public service are accountable for their decisions and
actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to
their position.
Openness Employees in government service should be as open as possible about their
decisions and actions, and should restrict information only when the wider public interest
clearly demands.
Honesty Employees in public service have a duty to declare any private interest that
relates to their public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that
protects the public interest.
The Washington State Executive Ethics Board has a 1 hour Ethics Challenge at
http://www.ethics.wa.gov/training.html On the training page you can also click on the Training
Manual that will clarify any grey issues. It has some thought provoking examples and would be
a good review for taking the Ethics Challenge.
Quotable Quote
“Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to
exist.” Mary Kay Ash, entrepreneur
For more information regarding the articles in the WORKING! or to give input or suggestions of things you would
like to see incorporated into this newsletter please contact the Office of Instructional Improvement