Ethical understanding
It is not unethical to
Is there a rule for everything?
Be stupid
Be in error
Be lazy
(???)
Ethics involve moral principles and standards about behavior
For ethics to matter something meaningful must be at stake
Ethical choices create winners and losers
Agreed upon rules
Religion
Politics
Economy - Free markets vs. Socialism
Family
Education
For Business:
Firm Code of Conduct
Accounting Standards
Professional Codes of Conduct
Industry Code of Conduct
However – there is no universal set of ethical rules for business
– each business establishes ethical expectations and rules for conduct
In addition –
what is legal is not always ethical
What the firm you work for allows may not agree with your personal
code of conduct
HOW TO BEHAVE ETHICALLY
GATHER INFORMATION
EXAMINE INFORMATION IS LIGHT OF CORE VALUES AND CODE OF ETHICS
(CONDUCT)
IDENTIFY ISSUES RELATED TO CORE VALUES
IDENTIFY ISSUES RELATED TO LAWS AND REGULATIONS
DETERMINE WHAT INTERESTS ARE IN CONFLICT
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS ON STAKEHOLDERS?
WHO ARE THE POTENTIAL WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THE CURRENT SITUATION?
IS THERE A POSSIBLE COMPROMISE? (WITHOUT VIOLATING ETHICAL CODES?)
TALK TO PEOPLE – GET INPUT FROM OTHERS WHO’S OPINION YOU VALUE
EVALUATE THE INPUT
MAKE AN ETHICAL DECISION BASED ON YOUR VALUES AND CONDUCT CODES
WHICH APPLY
TAKE ACTION WHEN ACTION IS CALLED FOR
FOREBEAR FROM TAKING ACTION WHEN THAT IS MOST PRUDENT