Ethical behavior examples: 15 Ethical Behavior Examples (2023)

These situations can be relatively small in significance, such as should we correct a minor mistake on a dinner bill, to matters that can impact an entire society, such as reporting a company for discriminatory labor practices.

Practicing ethical behavior as individuals can help us maintain good relations with our friends and loved ones, as well as being good for our career. When countries practice ethical behavior, the results can save the lives of millions of people and the planet.

Keeping our principles firmly grounded in ethics is critical now more than ever. The issues we face come rapidly, and frequently, so we should be getting pretty good at.   

References

Michele, S., & Gwen, J. (2004). Trust in the workplace: Factors affecting trust formation between team members. The Journal of Social Psychology, 144. 311-21. https://doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.144.3.311-321

Pankaj, A. (2005). Revisiting foreign aid theories. International Studies, 42. 103-121. https://doi.org/10.1177/002088170404200201

Puka, B. (2005). Moral intimacy and moral judgment-tailoring general theories to personal contexts. Advances in Psychology, 137, 163-202.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4115(05)80035-4

Williams, V. (n.d.). Foreign aid. New York: Encyclopedia Britannica.

Dave Cornell (PhD)

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Dr. Cornell has worked in education for more than 20 years. His work has involved designing teacher certification for Trinity College in London and in-service training for state governments in the United States. He has trained kindergarten teachers in 8 countries and helped businessmen and women open baby centers and kindergartens in 3 countries.

Chris Drew (PhD)

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This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

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Ethical standards of human behavior in society

Ethical behavior is the secret of well-being in any society

Hello friends, guests and regular readers of my Blog. Have you ever denied yourself something because you feared that the result of your action, or even the action itself, would be judged by others? I decided today to discuss with you the ethical standards of human behavior.

Let’s start with the simplest

You can imagine that we all live in a huge hostel, where the rooms are our personal space, and everything else is common space. In order for life not to turn into a nightmare, going beyond our rooms, we all must comply with certain, both public and unspoken rules – the social norms of society.

Social norms can be divided into:

1. Ethical
2. Legal
3. Religious
4. Political
5. Aesthetic

With the development of all mankind, almost every one of these norms has changed. The changes practically did not affect only ethical norms, as an unshakable foundation in human relations.

Ethical standards of conduct

Let’s see what ethical standards are and what they are. Ethics (from the Greek etos, custom) is a branch of philosophy that studies morality.

It is believed that the first who decided to combine several concepts of human behavior under one word was the well-known Aristotle. In his treatises, he proposed the concept of “ethics” as “virtues or virtues that are manifested in human behavior.” In his opinion, ethics should help to understand what actions are permissible and what are not.

In a nutshell, today ethical norms are understood as the totality of values ​​accumulated by society and the moral obligations of a person in relation to both these accumulations and to society itself as a whole.

Rules of etiquette, culture of behavior, morality – all these are ethical norms of behavior, which are the regulators of relations. They affect absolutely all interpersonal actions between people: from simple friendly communication to a large set of rules of corporate or professional ethics.

The main secret of well-being in any society is a single rule for all: “Do towards others the way you want others to do towards you!”

Informally, the norms of behavior are divided into types:

• Real ones are, in fact, any actions that a person performs;
• Verbal is a verbal or verbal form of communication.

These two concepts are inseparable. It is unlikely that you will be considered polite if your word, even if it is very cultured, runs counter to uncultured behavior. Imagine a person who greets you, while juicy picking his teeth with a fork. Not very nice, right?

Everyone has their own limits of ethical norms, they depend, first of all, on the surrounding people, the level of upbringing and education. The standard of cultural human behavior is when ethical norms cease to be rules and become personal norms, inner convictions.

Etiquette as a set of rules

The rules of etiquette also dictate a framework for our behavior. Remember, just recently we talked to you about templates. Etiquette is nothing more than the very necessary template that regulates our communication with each other.

If you accidentally step on someone’s foot, you will apologize, a polite man will open the door for a woman, and when we receive change in a store, we all say “Thank you.” The way we follow the norms of behavior, including etiquette, can characterize us as a cultured or uncultured person.

Personal and general

Interestingly, different countries have different ethical standards of conduct. For example, in Spain, just entering the elevator, from everyone who is already there you will hear a friendly “Hola”. In our country, the unreasonable greeting of complete strangers is not practiced in society. And no one will be offended by you if you, having entered the locker room of the pool, do not start shaking hands with everyone. That is, our traditions of communication are completely different.

This is another principle of dividing ethical norms – personal and group.

“I’m an artist, that’s how I see it!”

Personal norms – this is what I talked about above – our internal framework, conditioned by society, upbringing and education. This is our inner world, self-awareness. Following the personal norms of ethics can be defined as the level of inner dignity. For example, only you decide whether you can throw an ice cream wrapper into the bushes if no one sees you.

Group behavior

All mankind, one way or another, is united in groups. From a family or a team at work to a whole state. From birth, a person belongs to a society, and cannot but obey certain rules. Including ethical standards of conduct. Group ethics are the rules of interaction within such a group.

Once in any group, a person is forced to accept the generally accepted rules in this society. Remember the saying – with your charter, you don’t go to someone else’s monastery? This is a reference to group ethics. Moreover, each team, as can be seen from the example above about greetings in Russia and Spain, has its own principles of communication: including linguistic or even moral ones.

You say: norms, patterns, rules, limits – where is the freedom? We live in a society where the limits of our freedom are strictly limited by the limits of another person’s freedom. That’s why rules are needed. They are easier to live with.

That’s all I wanted to share with you for today, I’m waiting for your comments, and don’t forget to bookmark my Blog so you don’t miss interesting entries. I wish you all good luck!

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BUSINESS ETHICS: definition, examples and benefits

Business ethics is an important practice in the corporate world. This is changing the way businesses and organizations operate, as well as affecting corporate governance legislation.

This article aims to inform you about what business ethics is, how it affects corporate society, and how to define ethical and unethical behavior in the workplace.

What is business ethics?

A company’s actions are guided by a set of moral standards known as business ethics. These principles govern all spheres of the company’s existence, including its interaction with the state and other enterprises, attitude towards employees and relations with customers. Whenever ethical dilemmas or conflicts arise, the corporation will rely on these guidelines to find a solution.

What are the benefits of business ethics?

Ethics is important to businesses because it helps them in many ways:

• This provides a competitive advantage in terms of customers.
• Attracts more investors to the business.
• Increasing the company’s reputation.
• Keep good staff
• Increase customer loyalty.
• This keeps the business from any legal issues.

Why is professional ethics important?

Professional ethics are important because they set a set of standards that professionals must follow when dealing with the people they work with. Philosophically, ethics is concerned with morality and how people behave in terms of good or evil.

Types of business ethics

Business ethics has various components that determine how organizations and companies should operate. Here are some ways to practice ethical behavior:

#1. Respect

Respect is an important business value, both in how a company treats its customers, customers and employees, and in how its people respect each other. When you treat someone with respect, that person feels like a valued teammate or important client. You value their input, fulfill your obligations to them, and seek to quickly resolve any difficulties they may have.

No. 2. Reliability and solidarity

Reliability implies transparency and honesty in all actions and communications. It also entails loyalty to positive influences within and without. Clients value openness as it gives them insight into how the business works.

#3. Personal Responsibility

Every employee, whether executive or entry level, is expected to demonstrate personal responsibility. This may include completing tasks assigned by your management, or simply fulfilling the obligations outlined in your job description. If you make a mistake, you take responsibility and do whatever is necessary to correct it.

No. 4. Fairness and equity

When an organization is fair, it applies the same standards to all employees, regardless of their position. The same requirements of integrity, integrity, and accountability that apply to an entry-level employee also apply to the CEO. The Company will treat all its customers with the same degree of courtesy and will deliver the same goods and services on the same terms.

No. 5. Care and dialogue

After all, a company is made up of people. Some people consume goods and services from their business, while others work to create those goods and services. Being open to their struggles and offering a solution is a valuable tool that any company can use.

Showing a sense of care and adhering to the rules of communication is not only ethically correct, but can also help raise awareness within and outside the company.

No. 6. Corporate Responsibility

Businesses must fulfill their responsibilities to their employees, customers or customers, and in some cases to their boards of directors. Some of these may be contractual or legal obligations, while others may be obligations such as doing business with integrity and treating people with respect. Regardless of the nature of these obligations, the firm must fulfill them.

Companies will behave ethically not only towards their customers, customers and employees, but also towards society and the environment. Numerous businesses are seeking to reclaim their communities through volunteer labor and financial investment. In addition, they will implement measures to reduce waste and protect the environment.

What are the principles of business ethics?

11 Principles of business ethics for managers:

• Justice
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Fulfillment
• Accounting
• Reputation and morality
• Upon -term

Examples of ethical behavior in the workplace

It is important to understand the basic principles of business ethics. It is more important to understand how these principles apply to your daily work. Here are some examples of how to apply ethical behavior.

#1. Putting Customer Needs First

Companies that prioritize customer needs and adapt their workplace culture to hire employees to engage in such behavior engage in ethical behavior. For example, suppose a customer comes to a store looking for a product that meets their specific needs. In this case, instead of selling or encouraging them to buy a product that meets their needs, they can offer the best product for the situation described. It is important to emphasize, however, that a “customer first” attitude does not unintentionally lead to unethical treatment of employees.

READ ALSO: MARKETING DEPARTMENT: Overview, Structure, Roles, Expectations

#2. Transparency

Transparency and clear communication are paramount when it comes to ethical behavior in the workplace. Employees and consumers should not lie or make false statements as this undermines the credibility of the company. For example, if a company is facing a public relations crisis, it needs to call a meeting to discuss the matter directly with its employees. It is important to speak honestly about the current situation, offer solutions and humbly accept criticism.

#3. Prioritizing job diversity

Part of being fair is giving everyone equal opportunities to work for the company. There is a lot of political debate about how to ensure fairness in the workplace, but it cannot be denied that providing equal employment opportunities for all job seekers is an ethical standard.

For example, if someone finds that management tends to hire the same type of people, they might suggest bringing more people into the hiring process. This brings different perspectives to the hiring process and increases the likelihood that different types of candidates will be selected for positions.

No. 4. Respect customer information

Many companies collect personal information about their customers, regardless of billing or health information. Protecting this information should be a priority for any business. For example, hospitals can develop and implement proactive policies for employees who share patient information on social media. Sharing this type of information with personal accounts not only compromises patient privacy, but also exposes hospitals to the risk of violating HIPAA rules.

No. 5. Data protection

Companies regularly collect information about their customers. This could be just an email address, but it could also include their actual address, medical or financial information, depending on the nature of the business. Companies that receive consumer data typically claim to protect that information and not release it without the customer’s permission. The same applies to employee information. Business ethics generally keep employee records private and limit access to only those with a strong need to know.

No. 6. Whistleblower Protection

As a corporation grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure that employees adhere to company ethical standards. Sometimes a firm will rely on whistleblowers to draw attention to the company’s unethical practices. To encourage employees to disclose information about unethical practices, firms often take action against adverse consequences. With these safeguards, employees don’t have to fear losing their jobs or facing disciplinary action for reporting unethical behavior.

No. 7. Providing Resources for Reporting Unethical Behavior

When employees become aware of unethical behavior in the workplace, they need a way to report the behavior. The company is responsible for building this infrastructure and designing it to protect its employees from harm.

For example, a research university needs a neutral compliance office that is systematically separated from the university’s research department. This gives scientists a neutral opportunity to report unethical research and harmful practices without fear that it will affect the workplace.

This is the Fringilla lobby and creates a sort of sense of fairness and fairness and a key system. There are no ethical reasons, not just decide which behavior is manipulative, but rather

Unethical behavior in the workplace includes the following:

• Lying
• Taking sides in an argument with an employee
• Abusing corporate time
• Cultivating a hostile worker places
• Ignoring conflicts of interest

Consequences of unethical behavior in the workplace

Poor ethical decisions can affect a company in the following ways.

• Problems with the law: Companies that do not violate the law in terms of ethics can be fined and subject to other sanctions.
• Poor employee productivity: Lack of ethics within the company affects the way employees do their jobs. People may decide that leaders can do the same because they will break the rules. This can result in damage to the company. You may also be discouraged or frustrated by the need to work hard in an unethical environment.
• Company’s bad reputation : When a company behaves unethically, it damages its reputation. Managers and companies lose not only the respect of their employees, but also the trust of society. This can lead to reduced sales, loss of customers, and significant financial damage.

Read also: ETHICAL INVESTING: definition, types, pros and cons

Why is business ethics important?

First and foremost, business ethics ensures that an organization complies with all applicable rules. Legitimate business, whether local or national, preserves a company’s reputation with its peers and potential customers or consumers and allows it to continue in business.

Corporate business ethics can help attract quality staff. Companies that care about their employees at all levels and treat them in accordance with the highest ethical standards are attractive to job seekers. Also, if you work for a company that respects its employees, you are more likely to perform well and stay with the organization for a long period of time.

A firm that serves its consumers or clients ethically develops trust and strong relationships with them. These customers will be loyal and they are likely to offer the company to those in their sphere of influence. A business known for its strict ethical standards can also gain respect and improve its reputation.

How to implement good business ethics

It takes time and effort to create an environment that encourages ethical behavior and decision making, and the process must always start at the top. To ensure the ethical behavior of employees, the vast majority of businesses need to have a code of ethics or conduct, guidelines, accountability mechanisms, and training programs.

Once behaviors are defined and initiatives are implemented, maintaining open lines of communication with staff becomes critical. Managers should constantly encourage employees to disclose behavioral information, and there should be assurance that whistleblowers will not face adverse consequences if they do so. This is especially important for organizations that are subject to government regulation.

To sum up

Any person in authority has a duty to set an example of ethical behavior to others under his authority. In order to gain trust and provide genuine products and services, businesses must apply more ethical standards.

Frequently Asked Questions about Business Ethics

What are the 7 Business Ethics?

(i) Politics without principles (ii) Wealth without labor (iii) Trade without morality (iv) Knowledge without character (v) Pleasure without conscience (vi) Science without humanity (vii) Worship without sacrifice.