Ethics in the Workplace
We were required to do an ethics analysis of each organization represented in our class. The responses have been kept anonymous.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Looking to the faculty I work with they all appear to be ethical. They actively to measures to prevent the temptation of cheating and have harsh consequences in place to deal with cheating.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
I have not been here very long, but the department secretary does not recall any ethical training. Each employee is issued an employee hand book which contains a code of ethics.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
"[i]f ethical misbehavior occurs on either the student or employee level, a report is made to Campus Safety Services, which leads to either suspension or expulsion. If this is a criminal matter then police and legal authorities may be involved. In the case of academic dishonesty, the problem is first taken to the instructor and then to higher levels if necessary. A grade of zero, suspension, or expulsion may occur as a result," (2010).
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I've been pressured in the past to modify my analysis of a software change to meet the goals of a project manager. It was early on in my career, so I went along with what the PM wanted. If it happened now, I'd like to think I would respond differently.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
I believe that our senior executives are ethically neutral. In regards to their own personal and corporate behaviors they behave ethically but some unethical behavior may occur at lower levels in the company that they don't stop because its profitable. Some of our customers have claimed that our auto claims process and some of our marketing is deceptive. These customers bring up a few examples which don't appear to be representative of our claims process or marketing campaigns, but upper management doesn't appear to address these concerns when they come up.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
We do have ethics training that employees are required to complete each year.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Employees are encouraged to discuss the misbehavior with their manager, HR representative or any member of the executive team. An anonymous hotline exists if the other options are not appealing.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No one has ever pressured me to abandon my code of ethics. We are encouraged to make the right decision, regardless if it has a negative outcome.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Senior executives here seem to be very ethical, or at least to make visible decisions that align with ethical values. They spend a lot of time and money on going through ethical training themselves, but also providing the training to their staff when they believe it to be necessary. The company has invested in formal training as well as online tools that can be accessed at any time.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
It occurs sporadically, and usually is a result of a new department being formed, or in response to a lot of new people in a certain department. As I mentioned previously, there is formal training as well as online tools that can be accessed anytime. New hires that may not immediately get ethical training (or training in other areas) formally, may access the online site and take assessments and read the company’s ethics code.
Our Internal Audit Department seeks confirmation of employee compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics annually.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
There is an anonymous hotline employees are encouraged to call if they witness something unethical but do not feel like they can bring it up with anyone at work.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No my employer has never challenged me to abandon my code of ethics. A couple years prior to me starting a manager committed a major ethics violation. After it was discovered he was fired and legally prosecuted.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your decision.
I would characterize the senior management of my company as ethical. Management from the CEO on down consistently communicate sdecisions and actions that have an impact on employess and provide reasons for those actions. Furthermore, our CEO has engrained in our culture the expectation of living by high ethical standards.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, each employee is required to complete an on-line course and test once a year.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
If an ethics violation occurs an employee can report the violation to a code of ethics officer, send an email ethics reporting in-box, or call our ethics hotline. Penalties are assessed on a case by case basis with employment termination and legal action occuring in worst case scenarios.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I haven’t been with my current employer for long, but I can identify situations that could be considered unethical. The encouraging fact is that when I am faced with a situation that I deem unethical, I am able to openly discuss it with my manager. When dealing with supplier pricing and contracts, there tends to be unethical opportunities more readily available. But in my case, it is usually comes down to a difference in opinions because the ethical matter isn’t significant. I think it’s important to discuss the situation on an ethical because it allows us to view it from the suppliers perspective as well.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
The senior executives are very ethical. A prime example is in the wine catastrophe. When senior managers were in Napa Valley for a conference, they ordered very expensive wine. What they didn’t realize was that they accidentally ordered 100 times more wine than they needed. So instead of hoarding the wine for themselves, they shipped the wine to Cleveland and hosted a wine and cheese event for the employees. The wine was served at the event and was also given away as prizes. The event gave the employees an opportunity to see the new construction in the office, as well as meet other employees.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, the ethics training is required at least once a year. There are several ethics training courses that an employee can be required to take depending on their department. For example, my department was required to attend a legal ethics training since we negotiate contracts with suppliers.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
They have an ethical hotline for people to call in anonymously to report unethical behavior. The mandatory training is another step they have taken to better educate employees on what is considered unethical.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No, my company takes their Code of Ethics and ethical behavior very seriously, there has never been a time when I was challenged to abandon my code of ethics. I have seen several instances when others were let go from the company, when good ethical behavior was not followed.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your decision.
I would classify senior executives at my firm as ethical. In all situations, senior executives think about everyone involved before making a decision. In the past few months, senior executives had to make some very hard decisions and now looking back at their decisions and the impact they had on our company, I can now understand how hard those decisions were to make and that each decision was carefully examined by the outline of our Code of Ethics.
3. Does your employer have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, all new employees have to go through ethics training and all employees go through annual training. Our ethics policy and code of principles can also be found on our intranet and Center of Excellence.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with unethical behavior?
All employees are encouraged to speak with their manager, human resources, or someone they trust regarding ethical issues.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Actually it happened recently for the first time in the 10 years that I worked there. I was instructed to access online research using a different person's ID. I accessed the information and used it in my analysis. The more I thought about it, I disagreed with the approach. I brought it to my manager's attention, and we decided to remove the content until we can find proper means to get to that research, which may require a subscription.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Ethical. My example from last week's observation was regarding our CIO communicating the fact of the matter of why a senior manager is being replaced. He could have communicated that this person "decided to step down," but instead, he told the truth and advised that stronger leadership is needed in that role.
Furthermore, the CIO runs a blog, giving the opportunity for various questions about the organization. The CIO provides the answers and background of those answers, which gives a great deal of transparency into the logic of organizational decisions.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
There are online videos, articles about cases, and statements about ethics from executive management, but there are no formal classes that I am aware of.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
There is an anonymous "Alert Line" that anybody can call if they witness unethical behavior. Also, there is an open-door policy, where any employee can go to any manager at anytime wtih concerns. Aside from that, there are the typical processes of getting the HR Consultant involved to open an investigation of any unethical activity that may occur.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No, but I have had to deal with others abandoning theirs. In this particular situation, a landlord attempted to get out of paying my company a commission even though we had a signed agreement from them. Instead of paying, they falsely accused us of not fulfilling our obligations to try and get out of the agreement. As a result, we lost a client because of the lie and had to work with upper management and our legal department to get paid.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your decision.
I would classify senior executives at my firm as ethical. Every time an issue arises, I am very comfortable going to a manager to handle it appropriately. The office manager is very careful to abide by company policy and do the right thing for all parties involved.
3. Does your employer have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, there is ethical training in place for new employees and is required annually. Corporate ethical standards are also readily available via the intranet for all employees.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with unethical behavior?
There is an ethical hotline to report ethical violations anonymously. Also, there is an office manager and managing director in my office that all employees can speak with regarding ethical issues.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical,hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Given that JCU is a Jesuit institution whose president is a Jesuit, I would classify the senior executives of the university as ethical. The Jesuit mission is "educating for leadership and service in the Jesuit tradition." The Jesuits value virtuous leaders and ethical behavior and decision-making.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Not that I am aware of, but ethical discussions such as the "scholarly lunches" do occur every so often.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
If ethical misbehavior occurs on either the student or employee level, a report is made to Campus Safety Services, which leads to either suspension or expulsion. If this is a criminal matter then police and legal authorities may be involved. In the case of academic dishonesty, the problem is first taken to the instructor and then to higher levels if necessary. A grade of zero, suspension, or expulsion may occur as a result.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Not so far
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical,hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
The senior execs are ethically neutral. its hard to be entirely ethical in restaurant because so many of your best people violate the rules and you are forced to turn the other way. An example: your best server was caught texting in the back kitchen. Do you write her up and risk her termination if caught again or do you ignore it.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
No we do not
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Problem would be brought to a managers attention who would then meet with the general manager to discuss the issue. When it is determined an ethical violation has occured that is unlawful, immediate termination is the consequence.
Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Fortunately, never been pressured to abandon a code of ethics.
How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical?
The senior executives are ethical and what makes it better is that there are clear guidelines on what is / is not acceptable that are followed. When anything that could be unethical comes up people consistently err on the side of caution. The organization has seen strong stability over the years, as the shortest tenured executive has been with the company for 6 years. This has helped to support ethical decision making as the business has grown as the team has a sense of trust in each other.
Provide an example to support your description.
Since there is truly little deviation from our code of conduct its easier to make decisions. Recently one district managers who successfully lead a big market of ours left the company due to an unethical email that was sent to their stores. It would have been easy to overlook this due to their success in bringing stability to a historically unstable market. However when looking at who we are as a company, the decision was unfortunate but easy to make.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
No, the company does not have ethics training, but there is discussion of ethics in the leadership training program that is held for managers
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
The guidelines of what is expected of each employee is clear and unethical behavior is not tolerated. If it’s something that goes against our code of conduct anything from a performance conversation to written documentation may occur up to an including termination
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I was not necesarily pressured to abandon the code of ethics, but I was asked if I would consider abondoning the companies code of ethics. It was an uncomfortable situation, so I spoke with a fellow co-worker about what I was being asked to do. Using the advice given from my co-worker, I think I ended up making the best decision in the situation I was put in.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
I have to assume they are ethical. I do not necessarly interact with these individuals, and so coming up with an example is difficult. However, my company has a good reputation and so I assume senior executives act ethically in their day-to-day business decisions.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes we do. Each year, the code of ethics and ethics handbook is distributed to employees via interoffice mail. We have to acknowledge that we have read and understand the material presented in the handbook and then send that back to the ethics department at Lubrizol. In addition to the handbook, we have articles that are published on our intranet with information regarding ethics.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Our company has an annoymous toll-free hotline where violations can be reported. Once the violation is reported, an investigation is initiated. If an ethical misbehavior investigation is initiated, the employee isrequired to answer questions truthfully and to the best of their ability. If an individual engages in covering up or concealing violations the penalty for such misconduct would be immeadiate discharge. The corporation will respond to violations of our company's guidelines by applying appropraite disciplinary actions up to and including termination. A waiver of our company's guidelines may be only made by the Board of Directiors.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Although my company does not have a set code of ethics, fortunately I have never been asked to do anything that was ethically challenging from my own perspective.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
I would say ethically neutral. I have never personally experienced anything that stood out as highly ethical or unethical, but after speaking with some coworkers, there may be some behavior or decisions that I don't see.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
There is no ethics training in place.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
There is no formal decision making process. Generally, I'd say that if you aren't working hard or pulling your weight, then you may be out of a job soon.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I can't think of a time nor think that there has ever been a time that my employer has ever pressured me to abandon my code of ethics.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Ethical. There is a seperate code of ethics for leaders at our company. While I do not have any exact examples to prove that they are ethical, I also do not have any example to prove that they are not ethical. From what I know and have seen the senior executives at our company follow the employee code of ethics as well as the leader code of ethics and truly model the way for the rest of the organization.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Our companydoes have a mandatory Code of Business Conduct and Ethics training offered through our online training system. The training is updated yearly and employees must take it by a certain date every year. The date is not always the same but the trainign generally comes in the 4th quarter of the year.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Each department has a set of disciplinary actions to take when someone is guilty of ethical misconduct. These actions include verbal warnings, written warnings, probation, and termination. The action taken depends on the severity of the offense as well as the employee's history with disciplinary action. The resources we use to determine the action needed are the Employee Relations Information Center, the Corporate Ethics Office, and/or the company Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline. One of these areas will document the situation and determine the correct action to follow.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Our advertising/communications and graphic design work is outsourced to a variety of vendors to accomplish different requirements. One of the vendors is a personal friend of my boss, I dislike working with her and feel she is difficult and requires too much "hand holding." However, he likes to use her services because she charges much less than our agency - so when we have projects that we don’t have a "large budget for" my boss requires that i use her. I have voiced my opinion several times and backed it up with examples of how I do not believe she delivers a high quality standard for the work, yet I am still required to use her services for various projects even though there are plenty of other agencies that would do a better job. I question whether it is a matter of budget or whether he just wants to help out a friend and it is frustrating to me because i am trying to accomplish work that I can be proud of.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
In general I would say ethical. Although sometimes violations to a code of ethics would be a quiet matter and sometimes more of a personal choice which i would not always be privy to or know about. During my time at my company, no executive was fired or called out for a violation to the code of ethics. One situation that affected the Vice President/General Manager of one of the business units and a subordinate who formed a relationship while both of the people were married to someone else caused some negative opinions of these individuals and problems with other associates speculating on the "conflict of interest" and "discrimination" that could be caused by a romantic relationship with a superior. Eventually these two got married but the "subordinate" was forced to resign after being promoted due to conflict of interest/discrimination. A new policy was adapted by HR to prevent such relationships between an executive and a subordinate in the future.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes- Annually. We have to take an internet administered test and review all ethical codes and materials that the company has in place
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
The disciplinary method stated in our code of ethics is as follows:
"A violation of the Code, a failure to report a violation or retaliation against another associate who, in good faith, reports a violation, could lead to sanctions, including dismissal for cause, as well as, in some cases, civil and criminal liability. Although any associate who discloses his or her own misconduct may be subject to disciplinary action, the Company may consider suchvoluntary self-disclosure as a mitigating factor."
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Looking to the faculty I work with they all appear to be ethical. They actively to measures to prevent the temptation of cheating and have harsh consequences in place to deal with cheating.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
I have not been here very long, but the department secretary does not recall any ethical training. Each employee is issued an employee hand book which contains a code of ethics.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
"[i]f ethical misbehavior occurs on either the student or employee level, a report is made to Campus Safety Services, which leads to either suspension or expulsion. If this is a criminal matter then police and legal authorities may be involved. In the case of academic dishonesty, the problem is first taken to the instructor and then to higher levels if necessary. A grade of zero, suspension, or expulsion may occur as a result," (2010).
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I've been pressured in the past to modify my analysis of a software change to meet the goals of a project manager. It was early on in my career, so I went along with what the PM wanted. If it happened now, I'd like to think I would respond differently.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
I believe that our senior executives are ethically neutral. In regards to their own personal and corporate behaviors they behave ethically but some unethical behavior may occur at lower levels in the company that they don't stop because its profitable. Some of our customers have claimed that our auto claims process and some of our marketing is deceptive. These customers bring up a few examples which don't appear to be representative of our claims process or marketing campaigns, but upper management doesn't appear to address these concerns when they come up.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
We do have ethics training that employees are required to complete each year.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Employees are encouraged to discuss the misbehavior with their manager, HR representative or any member of the executive team. An anonymous hotline exists if the other options are not appealing.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No one has ever pressured me to abandon my code of ethics. We are encouraged to make the right decision, regardless if it has a negative outcome.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Senior executives here seem to be very ethical, or at least to make visible decisions that align with ethical values. They spend a lot of time and money on going through ethical training themselves, but also providing the training to their staff when they believe it to be necessary. The company has invested in formal training as well as online tools that can be accessed at any time.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
It occurs sporadically, and usually is a result of a new department being formed, or in response to a lot of new people in a certain department. As I mentioned previously, there is formal training as well as online tools that can be accessed anytime. New hires that may not immediately get ethical training (or training in other areas) formally, may access the online site and take assessments and read the company’s ethics code.
Our Internal Audit Department seeks confirmation of employee compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics annually.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
There is an anonymous hotline employees are encouraged to call if they witness something unethical but do not feel like they can bring it up with anyone at work.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No my employer has never challenged me to abandon my code of ethics. A couple years prior to me starting a manager committed a major ethics violation. After it was discovered he was fired and legally prosecuted.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your decision.
I would characterize the senior management of my company as ethical. Management from the CEO on down consistently communicate sdecisions and actions that have an impact on employess and provide reasons for those actions. Furthermore, our CEO has engrained in our culture the expectation of living by high ethical standards.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, each employee is required to complete an on-line course and test once a year.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
If an ethics violation occurs an employee can report the violation to a code of ethics officer, send an email ethics reporting in-box, or call our ethics hotline. Penalties are assessed on a case by case basis with employment termination and legal action occuring in worst case scenarios.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I haven’t been with my current employer for long, but I can identify situations that could be considered unethical. The encouraging fact is that when I am faced with a situation that I deem unethical, I am able to openly discuss it with my manager. When dealing with supplier pricing and contracts, there tends to be unethical opportunities more readily available. But in my case, it is usually comes down to a difference in opinions because the ethical matter isn’t significant. I think it’s important to discuss the situation on an ethical because it allows us to view it from the suppliers perspective as well.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
The senior executives are very ethical. A prime example is in the wine catastrophe. When senior managers were in Napa Valley for a conference, they ordered very expensive wine. What they didn’t realize was that they accidentally ordered 100 times more wine than they needed. So instead of hoarding the wine for themselves, they shipped the wine to Cleveland and hosted a wine and cheese event for the employees. The wine was served at the event and was also given away as prizes. The event gave the employees an opportunity to see the new construction in the office, as well as meet other employees.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, the ethics training is required at least once a year. There are several ethics training courses that an employee can be required to take depending on their department. For example, my department was required to attend a legal ethics training since we negotiate contracts with suppliers.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
They have an ethical hotline for people to call in anonymously to report unethical behavior. The mandatory training is another step they have taken to better educate employees on what is considered unethical.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No, my company takes their Code of Ethics and ethical behavior very seriously, there has never been a time when I was challenged to abandon my code of ethics. I have seen several instances when others were let go from the company, when good ethical behavior was not followed.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your decision.
I would classify senior executives at my firm as ethical. In all situations, senior executives think about everyone involved before making a decision. In the past few months, senior executives had to make some very hard decisions and now looking back at their decisions and the impact they had on our company, I can now understand how hard those decisions were to make and that each decision was carefully examined by the outline of our Code of Ethics.
3. Does your employer have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, all new employees have to go through ethics training and all employees go through annual training. Our ethics policy and code of principles can also be found on our intranet and Center of Excellence.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with unethical behavior?
All employees are encouraged to speak with their manager, human resources, or someone they trust regarding ethical issues.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Actually it happened recently for the first time in the 10 years that I worked there. I was instructed to access online research using a different person's ID. I accessed the information and used it in my analysis. The more I thought about it, I disagreed with the approach. I brought it to my manager's attention, and we decided to remove the content until we can find proper means to get to that research, which may require a subscription.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Ethical. My example from last week's observation was regarding our CIO communicating the fact of the matter of why a senior manager is being replaced. He could have communicated that this person "decided to step down," but instead, he told the truth and advised that stronger leadership is needed in that role.
Furthermore, the CIO runs a blog, giving the opportunity for various questions about the organization. The CIO provides the answers and background of those answers, which gives a great deal of transparency into the logic of organizational decisions.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
There are online videos, articles about cases, and statements about ethics from executive management, but there are no formal classes that I am aware of.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
There is an anonymous "Alert Line" that anybody can call if they witness unethical behavior. Also, there is an open-door policy, where any employee can go to any manager at anytime wtih concerns. Aside from that, there are the typical processes of getting the HR Consultant involved to open an investigation of any unethical activity that may occur.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No, but I have had to deal with others abandoning theirs. In this particular situation, a landlord attempted to get out of paying my company a commission even though we had a signed agreement from them. Instead of paying, they falsely accused us of not fulfilling our obligations to try and get out of the agreement. As a result, we lost a client because of the lie and had to work with upper management and our legal department to get paid.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your decision.
I would classify senior executives at my firm as ethical. Every time an issue arises, I am very comfortable going to a manager to handle it appropriately. The office manager is very careful to abide by company policy and do the right thing for all parties involved.
3. Does your employer have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes, there is ethical training in place for new employees and is required annually. Corporate ethical standards are also readily available via the intranet for all employees.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with unethical behavior?
There is an ethical hotline to report ethical violations anonymously. Also, there is an office manager and managing director in my office that all employees can speak with regarding ethical issues.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
No.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical,hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Given that JCU is a Jesuit institution whose president is a Jesuit, I would classify the senior executives of the university as ethical. The Jesuit mission is "educating for leadership and service in the Jesuit tradition." The Jesuits value virtuous leaders and ethical behavior and decision-making.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Not that I am aware of, but ethical discussions such as the "scholarly lunches" do occur every so often.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
If ethical misbehavior occurs on either the student or employee level, a report is made to Campus Safety Services, which leads to either suspension or expulsion. If this is a criminal matter then police and legal authorities may be involved. In the case of academic dishonesty, the problem is first taken to the instructor and then to higher levels if necessary. A grade of zero, suspension, or expulsion may occur as a result.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Not so far
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical,hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
The senior execs are ethically neutral. its hard to be entirely ethical in restaurant because so many of your best people violate the rules and you are forced to turn the other way. An example: your best server was caught texting in the back kitchen. Do you write her up and risk her termination if caught again or do you ignore it.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
No we do not
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Problem would be brought to a managers attention who would then meet with the general manager to discuss the issue. When it is determined an ethical violation has occured that is unlawful, immediate termination is the consequence.
Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Fortunately, never been pressured to abandon a code of ethics.
How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical?
The senior executives are ethical and what makes it better is that there are clear guidelines on what is / is not acceptable that are followed. When anything that could be unethical comes up people consistently err on the side of caution. The organization has seen strong stability over the years, as the shortest tenured executive has been with the company for 6 years. This has helped to support ethical decision making as the business has grown as the team has a sense of trust in each other.
Provide an example to support your description.
Since there is truly little deviation from our code of conduct its easier to make decisions. Recently one district managers who successfully lead a big market of ours left the company due to an unethical email that was sent to their stores. It would have been easy to overlook this due to their success in bringing stability to a historically unstable market. However when looking at who we are as a company, the decision was unfortunate but easy to make.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
No, the company does not have ethics training, but there is discussion of ethics in the leadership training program that is held for managers
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
The guidelines of what is expected of each employee is clear and unethical behavior is not tolerated. If it’s something that goes against our code of conduct anything from a performance conversation to written documentation may occur up to an including termination
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I was not necesarily pressured to abandon the code of ethics, but I was asked if I would consider abondoning the companies code of ethics. It was an uncomfortable situation, so I spoke with a fellow co-worker about what I was being asked to do. Using the advice given from my co-worker, I think I ended up making the best decision in the situation I was put in.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
I have to assume they are ethical. I do not necessarly interact with these individuals, and so coming up with an example is difficult. However, my company has a good reputation and so I assume senior executives act ethically in their day-to-day business decisions.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes we do. Each year, the code of ethics and ethics handbook is distributed to employees via interoffice mail. We have to acknowledge that we have read and understand the material presented in the handbook and then send that back to the ethics department at Lubrizol. In addition to the handbook, we have articles that are published on our intranet with information regarding ethics.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Our company has an annoymous toll-free hotline where violations can be reported. Once the violation is reported, an investigation is initiated. If an ethical misbehavior investigation is initiated, the employee isrequired to answer questions truthfully and to the best of their ability. If an individual engages in covering up or concealing violations the penalty for such misconduct would be immeadiate discharge. The corporation will respond to violations of our company's guidelines by applying appropraite disciplinary actions up to and including termination. A waiver of our company's guidelines may be only made by the Board of Directiors.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Although my company does not have a set code of ethics, fortunately I have never been asked to do anything that was ethically challenging from my own perspective.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
I would say ethically neutral. I have never personally experienced anything that stood out as highly ethical or unethical, but after speaking with some coworkers, there may be some behavior or decisions that I don't see.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
There is no ethics training in place.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
There is no formal decision making process. Generally, I'd say that if you aren't working hard or pulling your weight, then you may be out of a job soon.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
I can't think of a time nor think that there has ever been a time that my employer has ever pressured me to abandon my code of ethics.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
Ethical. There is a seperate code of ethics for leaders at our company. While I do not have any exact examples to prove that they are ethical, I also do not have any example to prove that they are not ethical. From what I know and have seen the senior executives at our company follow the employee code of ethics as well as the leader code of ethics and truly model the way for the rest of the organization.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Our companydoes have a mandatory Code of Business Conduct and Ethics training offered through our online training system. The training is updated yearly and employees must take it by a certain date every year. The date is not always the same but the trainign generally comes in the 4th quarter of the year.
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
Each department has a set of disciplinary actions to take when someone is guilty of ethical misconduct. These actions include verbal warnings, written warnings, probation, and termination. The action taken depends on the severity of the offense as well as the employee's history with disciplinary action. The resources we use to determine the action needed are the Employee Relations Information Center, the Corporate Ethics Office, and/or the company Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline. One of these areas will document the situation and determine the correct action to follow.
1. Has your employer ever pressured you to abandon your code of ethics? How did you handle this challenge?
Our advertising/communications and graphic design work is outsourced to a variety of vendors to accomplish different requirements. One of the vendors is a personal friend of my boss, I dislike working with her and feel she is difficult and requires too much "hand holding." However, he likes to use her services because she charges much less than our agency - so when we have projects that we don’t have a "large budget for" my boss requires that i use her. I have voiced my opinion several times and backed it up with examples of how I do not believe she delivers a high quality standard for the work, yet I am still required to use her services for various projects even though there are plenty of other agencies that would do a better job. I question whether it is a matter of budget or whether he just wants to help out a friend and it is frustrating to me because i am trying to accomplish work that I can be proud of.
2. How would you classify senior executives at your firm? Ethical, hypocritical, ethically neutral, or unethical? Provide an example to support your description.
In general I would say ethical. Although sometimes violations to a code of ethics would be a quiet matter and sometimes more of a personal choice which i would not always be privy to or know about. During my time at my company, no executive was fired or called out for a violation to the code of ethics. One situation that affected the Vice President/General Manager of one of the business units and a subordinate who formed a relationship while both of the people were married to someone else caused some negative opinions of these individuals and problems with other associates speculating on the "conflict of interest" and "discrimination" that could be caused by a romantic relationship with a superior. Eventually these two got married but the "subordinate" was forced to resign after being promoted due to conflict of interest/discrimination. A new policy was adapted by HR to prevent such relationships between an executive and a subordinate in the future.
3. Does your company have ethics training in place? How often does it occur?
Yes- Annually. We have to take an internet administered test and review all ethical codes and materials that the company has in place
4. What steps does your company have in place to deal with ethical misbehavior?
The disciplinary method stated in our code of ethics is as follows:
"A violation of the Code, a failure to report a violation or retaliation against another associate who, in good faith, reports a violation, could lead to sanctions, including dismissal for cause, as well as, in some cases, civil and criminal liability. Although any associate who discloses his or her own misconduct may be subject to disciplinary action, the Company may consider suchvoluntary self-disclosure as a mitigating factor."
