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Ethical Standards and Dilemmas Assignment
What is Ethics in the Workplace
In any workplace, ethical guidelines are crucial as they provide a framework for
appropriate behavior and decision-making. These guidelines are based on fundamental moral
principles and govern how employees should conduct themselves and make decisions regarding
what is right and wrong. When making ethical decisions in the workplace, employees are
expected to consider not on those interests but also the interests of other people who may be
affected by their actions. While this may seem straightforward, it can be challenging for
individuals to act ethically when considering the interests of others. Therefore, organizations
must establish explicit standards for ethical behavior, not just for individual employees but also
for the organization (Mahan, Updated 2023). By doing so, employees are more likely to act by these
guidelines, and the organization can maintain a culture of ethical behavior that aligns with its
values and goals. Good ethics are vital for any workplace as they promote fairness and respect
for everyone involved.
Ethical behavior in the Workplace is Important.
To achieve moral self-awareness, we must be conscious of how our actions affect others,
regardless of right or wrong. Following rules and laws and behaving truthfully and respectfully
towards others and company property is crucial in the workplace. Let us discuss the expectations
surrounding moral self-awareness at Glitzy Chicks.
Regrettably, no standards, rules, or regulations are posted anywhere in the store, making
it difficult for me to provide feedback on their work environment. However, I did observe that
the employees need to be more appreciated and treated fairly. With only two full-time and two
part-time employees, it is impossible to run the store efficiently. The two part-time employees
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cannot even run the register, leaving the two full-time employees to do most of the work and
unable to take days off, particularly on Saturdays. When one needs to leave town, the other is left
to work every day, with only Sunday as a day off. I inquired about any incentives or benefits for
working at Glitzy Chicks, and the response was negative. After conversing with the staff, it
became evident that they were losing interest in working for Trisha, the owner. She is rarely seen
in person, and communication occurs mainly through phone, notes, or text messages.
Trisha's mother recently got out of rehab and needs 24-hour care due to sickness and
multiple falls. It is still being determined if Trisha can continue running the business or if she
will need to recruit help. Trisha mentioned that she may need to close her business due to
overload. She had other stores in other counties but had to close them for the same reason. It is
not a good reputation for a business owner to be viewed as unreliable or untrustworthy while
expecting others to be reliable.
Ethical behavior is crucial in the workplace for positive outcomes, while unethical behavior
has negative consequences. All stakeholders must hold businesses accountable and expect ethical
behavior. Treating all employees somewhat is essential. Unethical behavior can harm
relationships and reputation, so organizations promote and encourage ethical behavior and have
reporting systems in place. Social media and mobile technology increase the risk of reputational
damage, as behavior can quickly become headline news (Mahan, Updated 2023).
What can organizations do to encourage ethical behavior in the workplace?
One way for organizations to thrive, they must prioritize employee feedback. This is
currently considered the seventh most important trend in the workplace. It is crucial to have
structured channels available for input, foster a culture of openness, and demonstrate positive
changes resulting from feedback. Ethical behavior in the workplace is essential to protect the
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organization's reputation and promote its success. By promoting ethical behavior, organizations
can expect better business performance, happier employees, more substantial organizational
commitment, trust, and improved citizenship behaviors such as altruism, conscientiousness, civic
virtue, sportsmanship, and courtesy (Mahan, Updated 2023).
