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Are you afraid to talk ethics with your employees?
By Lauren | July 3, 2008
Employers can be uncomfortable talking about business ethics with their employees for a variety of reasons. Some bosses are afraid of seeming naive or too “goody-goody,” especially when dealing with cynical employees. Other bosses worry that, if they bring up ethical issues, their employees will become fearful that they’re being set up for discipline. Another group sees no need to discuss what they believe should be obvious to everyone. Still others fear that, by discussing ethical topics in the workplace, they’ll be improperly forcing their personal values on their subordinates.
Folks, whatever the reason, if you’re uncomfortable talking about ethics with your employees, get over it. Right now.
There’s nothing wrong, and a whole lot right, about employers setting high ethical standards for their employees then talking about those standards at every opportunity. Part of being an effective boss is making sure that your employees know and respect the ethical values that you believe are essential to your company. If you talk about ethics in your workplace on a regular basis, your employees will come to understand that you’re educating them, not looking for excuses to punish them, and won’t panic when the subject comes up. And if your subordinates are too cynical to buy into your ethical standards, it’s probably time to replace them with more principled people.
Keeping silent about ethics is a great way to communicate to your employees that ethics don’t matter. Assuming that your subordinates understand and share your ethical values is an even better way to ensure that you’ll get caught off guard if it turns out that they don’t. Take the time to set ethical standards for yourself and your employees, then get the word out. You’ll be glad you did.
Topics: Business Ethics, Personal Ethics, ethics |
July 11th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Lauren,
Senior management should have no fear about discussing acceptable ethical behavior with employees.
Whilst I feel that employee input should be encouraged during the formation of ethical policies, senior management has the right to set the standard and determine what does and does not constitute acceptable behavior.
Senior management should not be afraid to define organizational values and then insist that employees follow such values, particularly in the case where the Chief Executive Officer is also the company owner or majority shareholder.
Employees who cannot accept organizational values should consider finding alternative employment.
Cheers
Andrew