workplace ethics essay

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How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic

  • Tutti Taygerly

workplace ethics essay

Hiring managers want to see your motivation, can-do attitude, and dedication.

In our early career years, it can be challenging to figure out what behaviors are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. Employers are now expecting more of entry-level workers and they want to see that you have good work ethic. So what is work ethic?

  • Work ethic refers to a set of moral principles, values, and attitudes around how to act at work. It often surrounds what behaviors are commonly acceptable and appropriate (or not).
  • Qualities like reliability, productivity, ownership and team support all demonstrate professional integrity, or a strong commitment to ethical behavior at work. In contrast, low-quality work, tardiness, or lack of attention to details demonstrates bad work ethic.
  • If you’re new to the workplace, a good way to start is by observing. Pay attention to how your coworkers behave in meetings to gain a better understanding of their “etiquette,” as well as the communication styles of different people and teams. Another essential part of building good work ethic is adopting a “do it like you own it” attitude. You can do this by being proactive in small, but powerful, ways.

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Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Have you ever wondered about how to behave appropriately at work? Throughout your career, and especially in the early years, it’s challenging to figure out what behaviors and attitudes are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. The more you traverse companies and industries, the clearer your understanding will become. When you’re just starting out, though, it can be hard to pin down these behaviors.

  • Tutti Taygerly is a leadership and executive coach with 20+ years of design experience across large companies, design agencies and startups.

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The Importance of Workplace Ethics

workplace ethics essay

Workplace ethics — the ethical guidelines that define appropriate workplace behavior — are an important aspect of an organizational culture . Companies that live up to their ethical standards may notice that employees trust each other to do the right thing, which can boost performance and loyalty. Job applicants will want to  join  the company, and customers will be  proud to say they do business with them.

What Are Workplace Ethics?

Workplace ethics are the principles that an organization aims to live up to. By agreeing to treat others with respect and act with integrity, companies can build trust with employees, customers and the general public.

Creating an ethical culture requires a concerted effort by leaders, but the onus is on everyone in the organization to maintain an ethical culture by speaking up against unethical practices. After all, it only takes a small crack in a company’s ethical foundation to compromise everything it has worked so hard to build.

Workplace ethics are the ethical standards that an organization strives to live by. Often defined by a code of ethics or a code of conduct, a company’s workplace ethics usually involve acting with integrity, respecting others and reporting unethical behavior when they see it. 

Ethics extend beyond what is required by law. While certain actions like theft or discrimination are clearly illegal, ethics can help define ethical gray areas that might be at odds with the company’s values and jeopardize the company’s reputation.

Workplace ethics are strongly influenced by a company’s leaders , who must not only put ethical standards in place, but also act ethically in the course of their day-to-day work. When employees see that a company’s ethics are taken seriously and modeled by leadership, they are much more likely to hold themselves to those standards.

Unfortunately, a gap often exists between a company’s stated workplace ethics and its actual workplace ethics. A survey by the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) found that nearly two-thirds of employees have observed at least one unethical or illegal act in the past year, with only 72 percent of those employees reporting the misconduct. A Gallup study reported more troubling results, with only 40 percent of employees speaking up.

Related Reading What Is Ethical Leadership?

Why Are Ethics in the Workplace Important?

Workplace ethics are important to creating a culture built on trust, which contributes to employee satisfaction, increased collaboration and a stronger brand reputation. Additionally, an organization that acts ethically — and agrees on a shared set of values — is safeguarded from the problems that can result from unethical behavior.

“Leaving things to chance, assuming people will have good intentions, puts a culture at risk of ethical lapse,” Ron Carucci, an author and managing partner at leadership consulting firm Navalant , told Built In.

When leaders don’t act ethically, employees may lose faith in the organization’s ethical integrity and not report wrongdoing. In this way, unethical behavior can beget more unethical behavior and eventually permeate the organization’s culture . 

“Those companies ultimately trip up over some kind of rule or law and it threatens the viability of the business,” Pat Harned, CEO at Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) , told Built In.

Benefits of Having Strong Workplace Ethics

1. it’s easier to recruit and retain ethical employees.

Employees who see that their organization’s ethical values are being followed often feel a sense of pride and commitment to the organization. When employees see unethical behavior, however, they won’t respect or trust the organization. Those organizations are also more likely to have employees who are treated unfairly, Harned said.

“Not only are you going to have a problem attracting great talent,” Harned added, “but you won’t be able to retain them because people won’t stay in a workplace that is toxic or has questionable practices.”

2. It Contributes to Trust and Collaboration

Employees have a higher degree of trust in leaders they believe are ethical, which in turn strengthens their ability to lead and influence their workforce, said Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. Employees typically mirror that behavior, which creates a culture where ethical standards are upheld and toxic behavior is called out. A healthy workplace culture rooted in trust and ethical standards can collaborate and operate more efficiently knowing everyone is aligned on values and pulling in the same direction.

Additionally, employees who feel like they are heard are more likely to speak up and share other ideas that would make the company more efficient, more profitable or create a better experience for customers, said Stephen Paskoff, president and CEO at Employment Learning Innovations .

3. It Attracts Loyal Customers

Customers want to support businesses that are transparent, behave ethically and live by their corporate values . When a company gains a reputation as an ethical company, they often attract new customers and referrals. An ethical company will also treat its customers fairly, which leads customers to trust that company and return to them for their next purchase.

4. It Helps You Avoid Legal Trouble

One of the most practical benefits of workplace ethics is legal compliance. A code of ethics will typically offer guidance about preventing conflicts of interest, bribery and other illegal practices. It also sets clear standards against discrimination, harassment and other behaviors that not only create a hostile workplace but could potentially land your company in legal trouble. By regularly communicating these expectations, companies can ensure that employees are informed about the laws that exist and what they need to adhere to these laws.

Related Reading Toxic Work Culture: 18 Examples and How to Improve It

Examples of Ethical Workplace Behaviors

1. accountability.

Accountability means living up to one’s promises and owning up to any mistakes instead of deflecting responsibility. In an ethical workplace, people will not only hold themselves accountable, but they will also hold others accountable by calling out inappropriate behavior, confronting poor performance or questioning unethical decisions.

2. Transparency

An ethical leader will be transparent in how they make decisions. They might cite company values or data when explaining their thought process, Skeet said, and they will pause to consider a decision’s downstream effects and consult with those affected by the decision.

3. Speaking Up

Reporting unethical behavior is crucial to developing an ethical workplace. If an employee doesn’t feel comfortable confronting a colleague or leader about their unethical behavior, they should report that unethical behavior to a manager, the company’s ethics hotline or one of the other channels outlined in the company’s code of ethics policy.

Examples of Unethical Workplace Behaviors

1. dishonesty or deceit.

Most of us are taught at a young age not to lie, but sometimes the pressures of the working world can push good people toward dishonest or deceitful behavior. A sales representative struggling to meet their monthly quota, for example, might over-promise the benefits of a product to get a customer to sign a sales contract.

2. Misuse of Company Time

Companies may have varying ideas about what is considered an appropriate use of time. For instance,  cyberloafing , the habit of browsing websites or social media during work hours, might be considered inappropriate in some occupations, but it might also provide useful information or inspiration in others. That said, there are some clear inappropriate uses of time, like working on a side hustle or freelance business when you have work that needs to be done for your primary employer.

Giving gifts or treating a client to a meal is not illegal for most private sector employees, but it can muddy the ethical waters nonetheless. If you’re in the market for a payroll software, for example, it would be unethical to accept an expensive gift from a prospective vendor because they would then expect you to purchase their software — even if it might not be the best option for your company. Companies can prevent this by defining appropriate gifts and entertainment standards in their code of ethics.

Related Reading Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: What It Is, Why It’s Important

Signs of Ethical Danger to Watch For

Pressure to compromise standards.

Employees can be pressured to cheat or compromise their standards when they are up against unrealistic performance targets or systems that reward cutting corners. ECI’s Global Business Ethics Survey found 29 percent of employees feel this pressure. Of those employees, 84 percent said they also observed misconduct in their workplace.

Fear of Speaking Out

If a company isn’t receiving reports of wrongdoing, leaders might think everything is running smoothly. In actuality, not receiving reports is a red flag. Employees could be witnessing misconduct but not reporting it. They could be afraid of retaliation, which is unfortunately common in some workplaces. About 46 percent of employees surveyed in ECI’s Global Business Ethics Survey said they experienced retribution for reporting misconduct.

Ethics Aren’t Taken Seriously

The more serious the ethical breach is, the less likely it is that the person didn’t realize they were violating the code of ethics, Paskoff said. The real issue is they chose not to follow the ethical standards in the code. This can happen in organizations where cutting corners is necessary to meet goals, creating a gap between an organization’s purported values and its  actual operations

“There’s always a slippery slope as the line slowly moves,” Carucci said. “Over time, as cultures fray, as performance pressures become more unrealistic, people decide they have no other choice but to cheat.”

Related Reading Conflict Resolution in the Workplace: 9 Tips

How to Address Unethical Behavior

Take reports seriously.

If an employee steps forward to report unethical behavior, they should have assurances that company leaders will thoroughly investigate the incident. If employees sense that reports aren’t taken seriously, they may grow jaded and feel like the company is hypocritical for not living up to its values. The company’s culture will take a hit, and employees will stop reporting unethical behavior, which will only lead to more ethics violations in the future.

Enforce Policies Fairly

A company’s code of ethics or code of conduct should spell out the process for investigating and disciplining employees who violate company protocols. Companies should ensure that employees are treated equally in this process to avoid any perceptions of favoritism. If employees sense that employees are disciplined more than senior leaders, they may lose trust in the company and stop speaking up about ethical violations.

Take Corrective Measures

Disciplining bad behavior is an important practice, but it will take more than that to create an ethical culture. If the employee is returning to work, they (and possibly their team) should receive training about ethical practices. This could be especially helpful if there is an ethical standard that has been routinely ignored on that team. If the incident exposed a systemic process that led to a breach of ethics, leaders should rethink that practice and design a new workflow that promotes more ethical behavior.

Foster an Ethical Culture

To close the gap between what’s in the code of ethics and what’s practiced in the workplace, companies need to nurture an ethical culture.

“Leaders have a responsibility to pay attention to the culture of the organization, because culture really drives conduct,” Harned said. “If you have a culture that tells employees to get it done and it doesn’t matter how you do it, you’re reinforcing the wrong thing.” 

To create that culture, leaders need to not only practice what they preach but also talk about the values and ethics of the organization.

“The C-suite and other leaders have got to talk about these things and integrate them regularly into conversations,” Paskoff said.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are workplace ethics.

Workplace ethics are the ethical standards that an organization agrees to live by, such as treating people with respect, being honest and holding others accountable for unethical behavior.

Why are workplace ethics important?

Workplace ethics are important to creating a culture in which employees trust each other to do the right thing, which leads to a happier work environment, more collaborative relationships, customer loyalty and the ability to recruit and retain ethical employees.

What are some ethical issues in the workplace?

Workplaces could face a number of ethical issues, such as discrimination, harassment, unfair treatment, bribery and deceitful or dishonest behavior.

Great Companies Need Great People. That's Where We Come In.

Workplace Ethics and the Code of Conduct

Introduction.

Workplace ethics is usually described as the manner in which the employees in an institution manage themselves and their general attitude towards work. The mode of operation of a firm and the inherent perception regarding it by the competitors and society forms part of the workplace code of conduct. The reflection of effective implementation of workplace ethics amongst institutions is exhibited by how they relate with their clients and suppliers, their interactions with other firms, the way they undertake their activities, and their internal and external communication mechanisms. The essay aims at highlighting the desirable employee workplace code of conduct, the benefits and importance of workplace ethics, and the eminent ethical issues in places of work.

Workplace Code of Conduct amongst Employees

A strong employee ethic in workplaces is nurtured through the establishment of habits and systems that facilitate efficient and effective achievement of tasks and interactions among personnel in the place of work. Every staff is required to observe punctuality with respect to timely coming to workstations and completion of projects (“The Value of Strong Workplace Ethics,” 2020). Additionally, both the employer and employee should be individually held accountable and take responsibility for the resultant errors and omissions in any task due to their actions. The workplace culture should also ensure that the staff remains focused, free from all distractors, for the successful and timely accomplishment of tasks.

A truly ethical workplace requires every employee to take the initiative of ensuring that that they have the self-drive to always engage in activities that are productive and beneficial to the firm without being compelled. Indeed, employees should endeavor productivity by avoiding obstacles that hinder them from delivering their best in the assigned tasks. Individual employees ought to exhibit dedication while undertaking their assignments (“The Value of Strong Workplace Ethics,” 2020). Furthermore, the staff should uphold professionalism as part of their work culture, which entails remaining polite to others and decent dressing. Finally, the employee should show their willingness to improve. The character is demonstrated by their positive desire to accept feedback and criticisms, which is also essential in their career advancement.

Benefits of Workplace Ethics

First, employees of an institution enshrined with workplace ethics strive to nurture teamwork amongst themselves for the benefit of the organization. They also work collectively in meeting the predetermined targets hence facilitate enhanced productivity and growth of the firm (Leonard, 2019). Notably, such a company is assured of integrity towards the protection of its asset as the personnel take care of the equipment and machine, thus decreasing costs of maintenance.

Additionally, ethic-anchored work settings enjoy smooth decision making and efficient implementation of strategies, reputable company image, and products in the public domain, and alleviated adverse legal matters. Amazingly, the firm is able to penetrate novel business frontiers, thus scaling the stature of its success and business growth assurance (Leonard, 2019). Finally, an excellent ethical culture promotes a responsive, courteous, and superfluous environment amongst workers with the least plights. The company also becomes easily adaptive to the attributable transformations in the digressive market setting it operates in.

Workplace Ethical Issues

Harassment and discrimination.

It is a prerequisite for all employers to offer equitable employment chances, recruit and train a multi-dimensional workforce. However, some firms fail to enforce these policies and foster workplaces that uphold respect for all sorts of people (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). Some qualified candidates and employees face harassment and discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity, age, race, and physical abilities. On the verge of averting the high legal and ramifications costs associated with the misconduct, most firms repel the unethical mindset through the provision of alternative perspectives, which are all-inclusive.

Unethical Management

The unprincipled conduct is usually associated with the managers and is exhibited through actions such as manipulation of report figures and inappropriate utilization of company resources and funds. Research has depicted that the abuse of the governance in authority contributes to approximately sixty percent of the misconduct experienced in workplaces (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). Remarkably, the action can imperceptibly transpire in the form of inapt acceptance of handouts from suppliers, bullying, or the occasional skipping of the stipulated standard processes.

Destructive Workplace Culture

Some organizations face the challenge of unethical leadership, which concentrates on soliciting bribes influencing data and figures on sales or adversely bulldozing employees and corporate partners for financial and personal favors. The culture results in oppression and disrespect of the personnel in the company (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). The situation aggravates through the repopulation of the institution with like-minded individuals to propagate their interests. The hiring of similar toxic mentality personalities eventually results in discrimination during recruitment, leading to further ethical problems and legal implications.

Inappropriate Use of Institution Tools and Technology

Indecorous usage of the company internet and technology causes the firm to incur extreme costs from staff performance, time loss, and company returns. A recent study showed that about sixty-four percent of employees browse websites not related to work in the course of a workday (Sudsakorn & Rattanawiboonsoom, 2018). The frequently visited sites include the news feed in the social media platforms and result in the abuse of company technology, tools, and time.

The thesis has explored some of the aspects relating to workplace ethics. Indeed, ethics are crucial in the development of a company as it describes the diverse circumstances which influence the functioning of the firm. The more an institution follows its ethics, the more sustainable and successful it becomes. Every organization should avoid unethical practices for the efficient accomplishment of its targets and corporate social responsibility.

Leonard, K. (2019). Workplace values and ethics. Houston Chronicle . Web.

Sudsakorn, C., & Rattanawiboonsoom, V. (2018). Ethical business culture and its impact on unethical behaviors in the workplace: Conceptual implications. PSAKU International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research , 7 (1), 132–140.

The value of strong workplace ethics. (2020). SpriggHR. Web.

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The Real-World Impact of Workplace Ethics

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​COVID-19 has forced many ethical considerations to the forefront of HR. Whether confronting issues related to vaccinations, masking, employee retention or mental health, making decisions based on ethics is a daily chore for many HR professionals. Here are four considerations worth contemplating as you prepare to address your next ethical dilemma.  

The Ends Do Not Justify the Means 

The first ethical rule to consider is a twist on Machiavelli's famous saying, "The ends justify the means," meaning that no matter what needs to be said or done, nothing is more important than the end result. Clearly, the opposite should be true in corporate America: The ends should never justify the means.

"This pithy saying is well-known in corporate ethics and code of conduct circles, primarily to address shortcuts that accountants and finance professionals could potentially take to justify a certain outcome in the financial records: a big no-no per the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002," said Steven Mintz, ethicist and professor emeritus at California State University, San Luis Obispo, and author of Beyond Happiness and Meaning: Transforming Your Life Through Ethical Behavior (Ethics Sage LLC, 2019). " The act holds accountants and finance professionals responsible for financial statements and internal controls. In fact, knowingly manipulating financial statements violates the integrity principle of ethical behavior and could result in a summary dismissal of employment if done knowingly and with an intent to unduly influence or manipulate financial results." 

Essentially, how an organization achieves its goals is just as important as the goals themselves. This should be an easy ethical rule to follow.  

The Need for Transparency

Transparency also plays a role in ethical decision-making. Senior executives have an obligation of full transparency when striving to keep their workers safe from harm, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"Understand that decisions made both individually and organizationally have real-world impact on your employees and their families and, as such, are worthy considerations in a time marked by the extremes of outright panic and virus apathy," Mintz said. "Make no mistake, however, that workers and their families remain concerned, if not downright scared, of further virus mutations that may come their way, potentially combining the worst of the alpha, delta and omicron variants."

Transparency is critical no matter what issues a company faces, said Richard Shell, a professor of legal studies, business ethics and management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

"Workplace cultures that promote ethics revolve around transparency; every values-based organization relies on practices that emphasize disclosure and review to resolve ethical challenges," said Shell, author of The Conscience Code: Lead with Your Values, Advance Your Career (HarperCollins Leadership, 2021). "Ethical quandaries are solved as a team sport in healthy workplace cultures." 

For example, he explained, if corporate leaders opt not to disclose positive coronavirus cases where employees were active at work during the contamination stage, positive asymptomatic workers could potentially transmit the virus to family members. The leadership's logic? "Let's not worry anyone." And on a potentially more deliberate level, "What they don't know won't hurt them," Shell said.

Such lapses in ethical decision-making could have a tremendous impact not only on employees' health, but also on their decision to seek employment elsewhere. After all, think of the message that employees may be hearing: "We want you here at work, but we're not going out of our way to make it safe for you to be here, despite a global pandemic that has killed millions worldwide."

One of the clearest reasons why workers have left and continue to leave companies is due to the mishandling of the pandemic, Shell said, and this example rises to the top of the list as a significant moral transgression for not appearing to care about employees' health and well-being. 

Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility 

What about the moral needs of your workforce? How can you address their problems, wants and needs? Millennials and members of Generation Z currently make up about half of the U.S. workforce, and their numbers are growing exponentially. They are the most studied generational cohorts in world history, and we know what they want: diversity, equity and inclusion; corporate social responsibility; career and professional development; and trust in senior leadership. 

What exactly is your organization doing to help the local community? How has your company stepped up to the demands of the day and helped employees live safer lives? Have you developed incentives to promulgate behaviors that help employees and their families? Have you educated people to the degree necessary to help them make informed decisions? Equally important, have you shared wisdom and attempted to calm the room and drown out so much of the noise coming at your workers from so many different sources—cable TV, the Internet, social media and the like? If so, have you highlighted and publicized your efforts so your workers and key stakeholders understand your core values and your attempts at making their lives safer? If not, there might have been a missed opportunity to demonstrate your moral and ethical leadership that may now be worth readdressing.  

Ethics and the Future of Work

We're on the precipice of what may be the most important chapter of our lifetimes as we re-enter the workplace and begin resuming normal activities post-pandemic. Opportunities to reshape our culture and norms have never been more prevalent, all surrounding the fundamental question of what will work look and feel like once we fully return? 

"We know that workers want a greater sense of work/life equilibrium; that caregivers need greater support; that gender parity needs to be addressed, both in terms of compensation and promotional opportunities; and that wellness issues deserve greater resources," Shell said. "In the context of a pandemic, time is required to consider the impact of choices on people's lives—whether considering individual versus company/societal rights, or risks from vaccines versus risks from viruses—yet time is the one resource that pandemics don't allow.

"It's this compressed disruption that leaves us building the plane while flying it, balancing conflicting messages from scientists and politicians. That, in turn, creates polarized responses ranging from rage to apathy that leave us disengaged. However you feel about the current state of pandemic affairs, one thing's for sure: COVID has raised the stakes for all of us to make ethical thinking and discussions a high priority." 

Some ethical best practices worth considering:

  • Err on the side of overcommunicating and come from transparency. 
  • Make known to your key stakeholders your efforts at addressing the pandemic and your organization's role in bettering the local community. 
  • Remember the golden rule: What you want for yourself, give to another. 

Such moral lessons will find a welcome home among your employees, and the practical benefits of employee retention and engagement will help you weather this storm and any others that come your way.

Paul Falcone ( www.PaulFalconeHR.com ) is a frequent contributor to SHRM Online . He is a member of the SHRM Speakers Bureau, a corporate leadership trainer, certified executive coach and author of The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series (March, 2022). The first book in the five-book series is titled, Workplace Ethics: Mastering Ethical Leadership and Sustaining a Moral Workplace . Other books in the series focus on the talent management life cycle, including Effective Hiring ; Leadership Offense ; Leadership Defense ; and The New Managers (HarperCollins Leadership and AMACOM Books).

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Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Introduction.

Work ethics and professionalism are essential in any job. They help maintain a positive environment and ensure success.

Work Ethics

Work ethics refer to the moral principles that guide our actions at work. They include honesty, responsibility, and respect.

Professionalism

Professionalism means conducting oneself with responsibility, integrity, and competence. It’s about doing your job effectively and respectfully.

Good work ethics and professionalism lead to job satisfaction and success. They build trust and respect among colleagues.

In conclusion, work ethics and professionalism are vital for a successful career. They ensure a positive and productive work environment.

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  • 10 Lines on Work Ethics and Professionalism

250 Words Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Introduction to work ethics and professionalism.

Work ethics and professionalism are fundamental principles that govern the conduct of individuals in a professional setting. These principles are quintessential in defining an individual’s character, commitment, and integrity within the workplace.

Understanding Work Ethics

Work ethics encompass a set of values based on hard work and diligence. It involves a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character. A strong work ethic emanates from an individual’s inner drive and perseverance to achieve success. It includes attributes like reliability, responsibility, quality, discipline, and teamwork.

Professionalism: A Vital Component

Professionalism, on the other hand, is the conduct, behavior, and attitude of an individual in a work or business environment. It involves maintaining a level of etiquette, exhibiting a positive attitude, showing respect to others, and demonstrating a high level of competence and efficiency. Professionalism is about conducting oneself in a manner that enhances one’s image and the image of the organization one represents.

The Intersection of Work Ethics and Professionalism

Work ethics and professionalism are intertwined. A professional with strong work ethics is likely to be more successful because they are dependable, respectful, and competent. They value their work, respect their obligations, and strive for excellence.

In conclusion, the importance of work ethics and professionalism cannot be overstated. They are the bedrock of any successful career and organization. Cultivating these qualities is vital for personal growth and professional advancement.

500 Words Essay on Work Ethics and Professionalism

Work ethics and professionalism are two integral elements that define the caliber and value of an individual in a professional setting. Work ethics refer to a set of moral principles that guide a person’s actions in the workplace, while professionalism is the conduct, behavior, and attitude of someone in a work or business environment.

Work ethics are a set of values centered on the notions of hard work and diligence. It involves a belief in the moral benefit of work and its ability to enhance character. An individual with a robust work ethic exhibits qualities such as integrity, responsibility, quality, and discipline. These values are not inherent; they are cultivated through experiences and societal interactions.

Work ethics play a crucial role in determining the efficiency and quality of work. It influences an individual’s productivity and commitment, which in turn affects the overall performance of the organization. Moreover, it fosters a sense of respect and trust among colleagues, creating a conducive environment for collaboration and teamwork.

The Essence of Professionalism

Professionalism, on the other hand, is the practical application of work ethics. It is reflected in an individual’s conduct, behavior, and attitude in the workplace. Professionalism involves maintaining an appropriate level of etiquette, demonstrating a high degree of competence, and showing respect for others in the workplace.

Professionalism is not just about following a set of rules; it’s about embodying a professional identity. This includes being reliable, respectful, and accountable. It also means being able to handle criticism constructively, communicate effectively, and maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations.

The Interplay between Work Ethics and Professionalism

Work ethics and professionalism are intertwined. A strong work ethic fuels professionalism, and a high degree of professionalism reflects a solid work ethic. While work ethics is the moral compass guiding an individual’s actions, professionalism is the manifestation of these ethical considerations in a work setting.

The presence of work ethics and professionalism in an individual can significantly enhance their career growth. Employers value these traits as they contribute to a positive work culture, improved productivity, and a better reputation for the company.

In conclusion, work ethics and professionalism are not just desirable traits but essential for anyone seeking to excel in their professional life. They are the pillars upon which successful careers and organizations are built. By fostering these values, individuals can not only enrich their professional journey but also contribute to creating a healthy and productive work environment. The cultivation of work ethics and professionalism is a continuous process, one that demands conscious effort and commitment. But the rewards, both personal and professional, are well worth the effort.

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How to Write an Ethics Paper: Guide & Ethical Essay Examples

ethics-essay

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An ethics essay is a type of academic writing that explores ethical issues and dilemmas. Students should evaluates them in terms of moral principles and values. The purpose of an ethics essay is to examine the moral implications of a particular issue, and provide a reasoned argument in support of an ethical perspective.

Writing an essay about ethics is a tough task for most students. The process involves creating an outline to guide your arguments about a topic and planning your ideas to convince the reader of your feelings about a difficult issue. If you still need assistance putting together your thoughts in composing a good paper, you have come to the right place. We have provided a series of steps and tips to show how you can achieve success in writing. This guide will tell you how to write an ethics paper using ethical essay examples to understand every step it takes to be proficient. In case you don’t have time for writing, get in touch with our professional essay writers for hire . Our experts work hard to supply students with excellent essays.

What Is an Ethics Essay?

An ethics essay uses moral theories to build arguments on an issue. You describe a controversial problem and examine it to determine how it affects individuals or society. Ethics papers analyze arguments on both sides of a possible dilemma, focusing on right and wrong. The analysis gained can be used to solve real-life cases. Before embarking on writing an ethical essay, keep in mind that most individuals follow moral principles. From a social context perspective, these rules define how a human behaves or acts towards another. Therefore, your theme essay on ethics needs to demonstrate how a person feels about these moral principles. More specifically, your task is to show how significant that issue is and discuss if you value or discredit it.

Purpose of an Essay on Ethics

The primary purpose of an ethics essay is to initiate an argument on a moral issue using reasoning and critical evidence. Instead of providing general information about a problem, you present solid arguments about how you view the moral concern and how it affects you or society. When writing an ethical paper, you demonstrate philosophical competence, using appropriate moral perspectives and principles.

Things to Write an Essay About Ethics On

Before you start to write ethics essays, consider a topic you can easily address. In most cases, an ethical issues essay analyzes right and wrong. This includes discussing ethics and morals and how they contribute to the right behaviors. You can also talk about work ethic, code of conduct, and how employees promote or disregard the need for change. However, you can explore other areas by asking yourself what ethics mean to you. Think about how a recent game you watched with friends started a controversial argument. Or maybe a newspaper that highlighted a story you felt was misunderstood or blown out of proportion. This way, you can come up with an excellent topic that resonates with your personal ethics and beliefs.

Ethics Paper Outline

Sometimes, you will be asked to submit an outline before writing an ethics paper. Creating an outline for an ethics paper is an essential step in creating a good essay. You can use it to arrange your points and supporting evidence before writing. It also helps organize your thoughts, enabling you to fill any gaps in your ideas. The outline for an essay should contain short and numbered sentences to cover the format and outline. Each section is structured to enable you to plan your work and include all sources in writing an ethics paper. An ethics essay outline is as follows:

  • Background information
  • Thesis statement
  • Restate thesis statement
  • Summarize key points
  • Final thoughts on the topic

Using this outline will improve clarity and focus throughout your writing process.

Ethical Essay Structure

Ethics essays are similar to other essays based on their format, outline, and structure. An ethical essay should have a well-defined introduction, body, and conclusion section as its structure. When planning your ideas, make sure that the introduction and conclusion are around 20 percent of the paper, leaving the rest to the body. We will take a detailed look at what each part entails and give examples that are going to help you understand them better.  Refer to our essay structure examples to find a fitting way of organizing your writing.

Ethics Paper Introduction

An ethics essay introduction gives a synopsis of your main argument. One step on how to write an introduction for an ethics paper is telling about the topic and describing its background information. This paragraph should be brief and straight to the point. It informs readers what your position is on that issue. Start with an essay hook to generate interest from your audience. It can be a question you will address or a misunderstanding that leads up to your main argument. You can also add more perspectives to be discussed; this will inform readers on what to expect in the paper.

Ethics Essay Introduction Example

You can find many ethics essay introduction examples on the internet. In this guide, we have written an excellent extract to demonstrate how it should be structured. As you read, examine how it begins with a hook and then provides background information on an issue. 

In this example, the first sentence of the introduction makes a claim or uses a question to hook the reader.

Ethics Essay Thesis Statement

An ethics paper must contain a thesis statement in the first paragraph. Learning how to write a thesis statement for an ethics paper is necessary as readers often look at it to gauge whether the essay is worth their time.

When you deviate away from the thesis, your whole paper loses meaning. In ethics essays, your thesis statement is a roadmap in writing, stressing your position on the problem and giving reasons for taking that stance. It should focus on a specific element of the issue being discussed. When writing a thesis statement, ensure that you can easily make arguments for or against its stance.

Ethical Paper Thesis Example

Look at this example of an ethics paper thesis statement and examine how well it has been written to state a position and provide reasons for doing so:

The above thesis statement example is clear and concise, indicating that this paper will highlight the effects of dishonesty in society. Moreover, it focuses on aspects of personal and professional relationships.

Ethics Essay Body

The body section is the heart of an ethics paper as it presents the author's main points. In an ethical essay, each body paragraph has several elements that should explain your main idea. These include:

  • A topic sentence that is precise and reiterates your stance on the issue.
  • Evidence supporting it.
  • Examples that illustrate your argument.
  • A thorough analysis showing how the evidence and examples relate to that issue.
  • A transition sentence that connects one paragraph to another with the help of essay transitions .

When you write an ethics essay, adding relevant examples strengthens your main point and makes it easy for others to understand and comprehend your argument. 

Body Paragraph for Ethics Paper Example

A good body paragraph must have a well-defined topic sentence that makes a claim and includes evidence and examples to support it. Look at part of an example of ethics essay body paragraph below and see how its idea has been developed:

Ethics Essay Conclusion

A concluding paragraph shares the summary and overview of the author's main arguments. Many students need clarification on what should be included in the essay conclusion and how best to get a reader's attention. When writing an ethics paper conclusion, consider the following:

  • Restate the thesis statement to emphasize your position.
  • Summarize its main points and evidence.
  • Final thoughts on the issue and any other considerations.

You can also reflect on the topic or acknowledge any possible challenges or questions that have not been answered. A closing statement should present a call to action on the problem based on your position.

Sample Ethics Paper Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph restates the thesis statement and summarizes the arguments presented in that paper. The sample conclusion for an ethical essay example below demonstrates how you should write a concluding statement.  

In the above extract, the writer gives final thoughts on the topic, urging readers to adopt honest behavior.

How to Write an Ethics Paper?

As you learn how to write an ethics essay, it is not advised to immediately choose a topic and begin writing. When you follow this method, you will get stuck or fail to present concrete ideas. A good writer understands the importance of planning. As a fact, you should organize your work and ensure it captures key elements that shed more light on your arguments. Hence, following the essay structure and creating an outline to guide your writing process is the best approach. In the following segment, we have highlighted step-by-step techniques on how to write a good ethics paper.

1. Pick a Topic

Before writing ethical papers, brainstorm to find ideal topics that can be easily debated. For starters, make a list, then select a title that presents a moral issue that may be explained and addressed from opposing sides. Make sure you choose one that interests you. Here are a few ideas to help you search for topics:

  • Review current trends affecting people.
  • Think about your personal experiences.
  • Study different moral theories and principles.
  • Examine classical moral dilemmas.

Once you find a suitable topic and are ready, start to write your ethics essay, conduct preliminary research, and ascertain that there are enough sources to support it.

2. Conduct In-Depth Research

Once you choose a topic for your essay, the next step is gathering sufficient information about it. Conducting in-depth research entails looking through scholarly journals to find credible material. Ensure you note down all sources you found helpful to assist you on how to write your ethics paper. Use the following steps to help you conduct your research:

  • Clearly state and define a problem you want to discuss.
  • This will guide your research process.
  • Develop keywords that match the topic.
  • Begin searching from a wide perspective. This will allow you to collect more information, then narrow it down by using the identified words above.

3. Develop an Ethics Essay Outline

An outline will ease up your writing process when developing an ethic essay. As you develop a paper on ethics, jot down factual ideas that will build your paragraphs for each section. Include the following steps in your process:

  • Review the topic and information gathered to write a thesis statement.
  • Identify the main arguments you want to discuss and include their evidence.
  • Group them into sections, each presenting a new idea that supports the thesis.
  • Write an outline.
  • Review and refine it.

Examples can also be included to support your main arguments. The structure should be sequential, coherent, and with a good flow from beginning to end. When you follow all steps, you can create an engaging and organized outline that will help you write a good essay.

4. Write an Ethics Essay

Once you have selected a topic, conducted research, and outlined your main points, you can begin writing an essay . Ensure you adhere to the ethics paper format you have chosen. Start an ethics paper with an overview of your topic to capture the readers' attention. Build upon your paper by avoiding ambiguous arguments and using the outline to help you write your essay on ethics. Finish the introduction paragraph with a thesis statement that explains your main position.  Expand on your thesis statement in all essay paragraphs. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence and provide evidence plus an example to solidify your argument, strengthen the main point, and let readers see the reasoning behind your stance. Finally, conclude the essay by restating your thesis statement and summarizing all key ideas. Your conclusion should engage the reader, posing questions or urging them to reflect on the issue and how it will impact them.

5. Proofread Your Ethics Essay

Proofreading your essay is the last step as you countercheck any grammatical or structural errors in your essay. When writing your ethic paper, typical mistakes you could encounter include the following:

  • Spelling errors: e.g., there, they’re, their.
  • Homophone words: such as new vs. knew.
  • Inconsistencies: like mixing British and American words, e.g., color vs. color.
  • Formatting issues: e.g., double spacing, different font types.

While proofreading your ethical issue essay, read it aloud to detect lexical errors or ambiguous phrases that distort its meaning. Verify your information and ensure it is relevant and up-to-date. You can ask your fellow student to read the essay and give feedback on its structure and quality.

Ethics Essay Examples

Writing an essay is challenging without the right steps. There are so many ethics paper examples on the internet, however, we have provided a list of free ethics essay examples below that are well-structured and have a solid argument to help you write your paper. Click on them and see how each writing step has been integrated. Ethics essay example 1

Ethics essay example 2

Ethics essay example 3

Ethics essay example 4

College ethics essay example 5

Ethics Essay Writing Tips

When writing papers on ethics, here are several tips to help you complete an excellent essay:

  • Choose a narrow topic and avoid broad subjects, as it is easy to cover the topic in detail.
  • Ensure you have background information. A good understanding of a topic can make it easy to apply all necessary moral theories and principles in writing your paper.
  • State your position clearly. It is important to be sure about your stance as it will allow you to draft your arguments accordingly.
  • When writing ethics essays, be mindful of your audience. Provide arguments that they can understand.
  • Integrate solid examples into your essay. Morality can be hard to understand; therefore, using them will help a reader grasp these concepts.

Bottom Line on Writing an Ethics Paper

Creating this essay is a common exercise in academics that allows students to build critical skills. When you begin writing, state your stance on an issue and provide arguments to support your position. This guide gives information on how to write an ethics essay as well as examples of ethics papers. Remember to follow these points in your writing:

  • Create an outline highlighting your main points.
  • Write an effective introduction and provide background information on an issue.
  • Include a thesis statement.
  • Develop concrete arguments and their counterarguments, and use examples.
  • Sum up all your key points in your conclusion and restate your thesis statement.

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Imagine living in a world where people only lie, and honesty is becoming a scarce commodity. Indeed, modern society is facing this reality as truth and deception can no longer be separated. Technology has facilitated a quick transmission of voluminous information, whereas it's hard separating facts from opinions.
The moral implications of dishonesty are far-reaching as they undermine trust, integrity, and other foundations of society, damaging personal and professional relationships. 
Honesty is an essential component of professional integrity. In many fields, trust and credibility are crucial for professionals to build relationships and success. For example, a doctor who is dishonest about a potential side effect of a medication is not only acting unethically but also putting the health and well-being of their patients at risk. Similarly, a dishonest businessman could achieve short-term benefits but will lose their client’s trust.
In conclusion, the implications of dishonesty and the importance of honesty in our lives cannot be overstated. Honesty builds solid relationships, effective communication, and better decision-making. This essay has explored how dishonesty impacts people and that we should value honesty. We hope this essay will help readers assess their behavior and work towards being more honest in their lives.

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Ethics at Workplace

Profile image of International Journal of Recent Research Aspects ISSN 2349-7688

− Human resource management deals with manpower planning and development related activities in an organization. It is that branch of management where ethics really matters most, since it concerns human issues specially those of compensation, development, industrial relations and health and safety issues. Ethics in HRM has acquired significance today because of several examples of unethical behaviour on the part of organizations, like unfair labour practices and employees failing to keep up the minimum productivity and output expected of them. Ethics is important for the overall performance of the organization. Good ethics have a beneficial effect on organizational well being. It helps in productivity improvement, risk reduction, better relations with customers and clients and an increasing flow of communication. This paper explores some of the ethical dilemmas encountered in the workplace and the ethical behaviour and values that relate to HR.

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Ricardo Martinez Cañas

abstract: Nowadays there is a growing interest in business ethics, both in academia and professionally. However, moral lapses continue to happen in business activities, leading academicians and professionals to rethink what is being done and reinventing new strategies to successfully manage ethics in business organisations. Thus, whereas efforts to promote ethics are basically oriented to using and developing explicit, written formal mechanisms, the literature suggests that other instruments are also useful and necessary to achieve this. Thus, studying the role of the Human Resource Management (hereafter, HRM) in promoting ethics is an emerging research topic due to the heavy influence that HRM practices are thought to have on employees. This paper is aimed at developing a thorough analysis of HRM's role in promoting ethics, and specifically at focusing on one of its practices, training. As an illustrative example of the utility of this practice, an empirical study was conducted on a range 1

workplace ethics essay

Human Resource Management

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This paper critically reviews the literature on managing diversity through human resource management (HRM). We discuss the major issues and objectives of managing diversity and examine the state of human resource diversity management practices in organizations. Our review shows that inequality and discrimination still widely exist and HRM has focused mainly on compliance with equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action (AA) legislation. Less attention has been paid to valuing, developing and making use of diversity. Our review reveals limited literature examining how diversity is managed in organizations through effective human resource management. We develop a framework that presents strategies for HR diversity management at the strategic, tactical and operational levels. Our review also discusses the implications for practice and further research. Introduction Workforce diversity acknowledges the reality that people differ in many ways, visible or invisible, mainly age, gender, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture (Kossek, Lobel and Brown 2005). However, the predominant diversity issues in each country are different. While gender inequality is the oldest and most common diversity issue worldwide, religion and ethnicity separate people in India and Middle East and household status (hukou) differentiates off-farm migrants from urbanites in China. Chinese rural migrants are routinely looked down on by urbanites and mistreated at the workplace and in society. Multiculturalism has always been the most important dimension of diversity in Western countries, including the EU nations, Australia and New Zealand, where there are a large number of international migrants with diverse cultural backgrounds. Racial equality appears to be the predominant issue in both USA and South Africa where there has been a long history of systematic discrimination against blacks and other ethnic minorities. Although researchers have examined several aspects of diversity, no comprehensive model exists. In this paper we review the literature on diversity practices in the area of human resource management (HRM). We also develop a conceptual framework which will help organizations develop HRM strategies and policies to manage diversity effectively. Our framework will also help researchers identify key areas for future research and guide practitioners to formulate and implement diversity appropriately. A diverse workforce comprises a multitude of beliefs, understandings, values, ways of viewing the world, and unique information. Rapid internationalization and globalization

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Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to explore the interrelations between organizational trust and ethics management tools as well as ethical organizational practices in a post-socialist context. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework of the interrelations among organizational trust, ethics management tools and ethical organizational practices is reasoned and the interrelations among the variables are explored using quantitative methods

Mohammad Rabiul Basher Rubel

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the performance appraisal fairness and promotion opportunity on employee quitting intention with the mediating effect of organizational commitment. A cross-sectional design was employed to investigate the relationship in a sample of 150 full-time nurses employed in different private hospitals. Partial Least Square path modeling, a variance based techniques of SEM was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The results indicate the significant negative effects of perceived fairness of performance appraisal and promotion opportunity on nurses' quitting intention and organizational commitment. Further, organizational commitment is found having a significant effect on nurses' turnover intention and as a partial mediator in the relationship between both performance appraisal fairness and nurses' turnover intention and promotion opportunity and nurses' turnover intention.

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Work Ethic Essay Sample

Work Ethic Essay Sample

Essay on Work Ethic

Work ethics is believed to be an idea that work, hard work and diligence, has a positive outcome. They also believe that a person should prioritize work and work only in order to live a successful life. Some may disagree on this but there are people who really make their lives revolve around working. Being a workaholic is not bad but on some point, this trait can become a problem because  too much work  can lead to sickness. It is okay to work as long as you take good care of yourself. A strong work ethic is needed in order to survive a life that is centered in doing your job. The following are the top ten work ethics.

When you enter a job the first impressive move you will take is being always on time and never be absent. Attendance is one of the most important factors when an employer looks for an employee. When a person is late many things are wasted and it is not good for the business. You will never find a boss who wants his or her employee to be always late. This will impress and inspire your co-workers and your boss. Every company believes in the saying that the early bird catches the worm so an early employee will be the most productive. The second one is the character of an employee. The character of a person is important in the workplace because it will determine his or her connection with his colleagues.

It is so important that a person has a good attitude so that he can get along with his co-workers and the job will be done easily. The third one is team work; this is applicable to an individual or a group of people. Team work is definitely needed because some job requires coordination between more people. It will also show how a person will communicate to the other to finish a certain task. The fourth quality is the appearance; sometimes looks really matters. If you will notice, some job posts include pleasing personality as a requirement. People in the business world needs people who are presentable looking in order to persuade the clients and convince them that their company has real business because their employees look presentable enough to be believed. It does not necessarily mean that the person should pass the standard of beautiful; he or she just needs to be presentable.

Next one is an attitude, just like character it shows how a person acts towards the others. Tough times will also test someone’s attitude on how he or she will react in a problem. The sixth quality is productivity; it is something that makes an employer keeps his or her employee. A productive person always gets the job done even before the deadline. The kinds of people who are productive are good for the company because the salary given to them are all worth it. The other qualities include organizational skills,  communication, cooperation, and respect . Organizational skills are needed because it will make a person do his or her job in the easiest way possible. Communication is needed in any field of the workplace because this is what makes people understand each other. If an employee does not know how to communicate, he or she will not be able to impart his or her ideas and that may cause the company a big loss. Cooperation is important because when an employee is not cooperating the job will not be done. Last but not the least is a respect for each other. Without respect, the job will not be done successfully. Everybody should respect each other regardless of their race, age, gender, and religion. Respect should be given and not demanded because it is something that is offered to a person without anything in return.

All of the mentioned qualities should be exhibited by a person who wants to work with strong ethics. If a person has all of those qualities, he or she will surely stay in the job he or she loves. The drive of a person to make something successful will make him or her goals come true. The strong work ethics is nothing without hard work and patience in doing the job.

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Best Workplace Essay Examples

Ethics in the workplace essay.

659 words | 3 page(s)

The following essay explores the ideas of morals, ethics, and laws, with a specific focus on business ethics. The diverse practices which enforce and diminish ethical approaches on the organizational level are described. To begin with, a moral is a principle or message that conveys what is right and wrong. It points to a set of behavior standards in a given society or group. As for ethics, this concept can be defined as a practical approach that describes which actions are right and wrong. Lastly, laws are sets of rules which guide the life of a given group of people (a country, a state, or an organization); laws are the most rigid of the three concepts.

On an organizational level, there are certain managerial and leadership behaviors that tend to promote ethical behavior among employees. In particular, Paine (1994) stresses in her article that while some people tend to think that ethics is a matter of individual choice and unethical choices are “the work of a rogue employee”, in fact, “ethics has everything to do with management”. The author explains that unethical business practices usually involve “the tacit, if not explicit, cooperation of others”. Furthermore, these practices are often supported by “the values, attitudes, beliefs, language, and behavioral patterns that define an organization’s operating culture”.

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Henceforth, the organizational culture, managerial approaches, and leadership style which is employed in the company all influence ethical behavior among employees. First and foremost, it is the executive manager’s behavior that creates a role model for others in the organization (Paine, 1994). Secondly, integrity strategies are highly valuable in promoting ethics within the company. Specifically, they entail carefully defining the company’s values, beliefs, corporate culture, aspirations, goals, and patterns, and following through on them on a daily basis. Otherwise, it is highly likely that some employees may drift away from the initial goals and values of the organization. Also, Paine (1994) notes that the goals (e.g., quotas and performance indicators) which are put forward by the managers must be realistic; if they are not, employees may be pushed toward illegitimate behaviors. Lastly, each company should clearly define its organizational ethics approach. Company managers and the corporate council should take part in designing and implementing the organizational integrity strategy.

As it was mentioned earlier, ethical pitfalls in the workplace may include setting extremely high standards which are impossible to follow, causing employees to look for unethical ways. It is important to ensure that the company’s management is guided by moral and ethical principles. Otherwise, the whole corporate strategy may be undermined; moreover, unethical behavior on part of the company management may lead to employee demoralization.

In creating an ethical workplace, it is important to generate a proper Code of Ethics (or Code of Conduct) which will guide the company forward. This document provides guidance to the company’s managers; it is often accompanied by a system of rewards, promotions, and other supporting systems (Waddock, 2007). Finally, it is essential that the company chooses managers who are ethical leaders and are consistently moral in all spheres of life (Brown & Mitchell, 2010). This selection process can be done via special personality tests.

In conclusion, morals, ethics, and laws are different concepts; morals is the most general of them. Yet, all three refer to the ideas of right and wrong. While morals and ethics may differ from one individual to another, on an organizational level, it is highly important that the company has a clear-defined system of ethical values. This system, also called the Code of Ethics, must be upheld by the company’s management on all levels of the organization.

  • Brown, M. E., & Mitchell, M. S. (2010). Ethical and unethical leadership: Exploring new avenues for future research. Business Ethics Quarterly, 20(4), 583-616.
  • Paine, L. S. (1994). Managing for organizational integrity. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/1994/03/managing-for-organizational-integrity
  • Waddock, S. (2007). Ethical role of the manager. In Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society (pp. 786-791). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

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The Link Between Professionalism and Ethics Essay

Professionalism and ethics are key factors in a job setting. These two aspects work hand in hand. Engineering is no different case. Ethics seeks to evaluate deeply on moral aspects. It entails the practices that the staff carries out in an establishment. It incorporates; good value, code of conduct, moral value, principles and virtues. The ethics enable one to outlay professionalism in undertaking his engineering career.

Professional ethics helps a lot in proficiency and comprehending problems encountered in this field. Ethics assists one to know the good and bad sides of a person in a work setting. Engineering ethics are the codes of standard applied in the field of engineering. These ethics portray good conducts in professional engineers.

In accordance with the innovation in science and technology one needs to uphold high moral standard in terms of principle and practices. It concentrates on doing the right action with out inconveniencing other parties. In engineering one needs guidelines that propel him or her to success in this field. The guidelines are set values that give the ability to make correct choices, decisions and action. Not all values are equal.

It all depends with the perception of a person and his/her experience. One can modify and create beliefs that define his identity. Thus he may hold characters such as social skills, peace among co-workers, truth and honesty. Perseverance, discernment and accuracy are also values that one needs to have in order to relay services professionally. This boosts his moral behavior and upholds professional skills.

In addition to values and morals a professional needs work ethics. These ethics ought to be principled and easy to interpret. Employing attitudes of work value will need a lot of motivation in order to succeed. This goes along way to increase the productivity and overall performance in engineering.

In the work place the relationship among co-workers and employees in the organization, depends heavily on the ethics. The engineers tactfully apply the code of ethics to tackle problems encountered in the field. The engineer should offer high standard of service to the client. He should work towards achieving set objectives as part of strengthening his skills in the profession (Naagarazan 41).

Moral issues may arise at certain times in an organization. This will require one to apply professionalism to tackle such issues. Issues such as resource crouch may lead one to be manipulated and unethical termination of projects. Another issue is applying double standards in making decisions and selection of projects.

The management may seek to fulfill their interest more than the employees. The employees may develop poor attitude to providing services to the consumers.

These issues can be sorted through normative inquiry where norms are used to guide the employees and the management to run the organization. The management should come in strongly to offer a neutral field for implementation of these norms.

Another way of curbing moral issues is by conceptual inquiry where all the employees are directed and informed of the concepts and principles. Factual or descriptive inquiry is another way to solve the moral issues arising in an organization. This inquiry provides information about practices and effectiveness of the system.

When one upholds professionalism he or she expects to be loyal to the organization, have high level of integrity, be knowledgeable and applies tact in undertaking tasks of the organization. He should be a social catalyst and serve the management and other employees without biasness.

The professional conduct helps to gain trust in the public and improve professional development (Naagarazan 39). Professionalism in the public domain determines how resources and other activities are carried out. A professional will bear responsibility of his work in the sense that he becomes liable and accountable for action he takes in the organization. By carrying out his duty well, he gets appraisal from the management due to his success.

A competent professional will strive to meet the requirement of the client. It is highly recommended that clients confidentiality to be observed. This is also part of professionalism since the client builds trust in the employee.

Other attributes of a competent professional is to respect the management and other employees as well as the client. Courtesy when communicating to client will boost confidence in the engineer from the client perspective. They should also be ready to offer services to a diverse population.

The employee should avoid fraud and misuse of resources at all times. Above all discipline is very important. In a sum up professionalism is the equality of being honest and faithful to the profession. Always honor the law and observe rules and regulation of the State.

Professionalism may be hindered by a number of factors such as poverty levels and high level for illiteracy in the society. Most engineers may take advantage of these situations in the society and offer substantial services to them. To curb this situation the engineers should be given adequate remuneration to refrain them from exploiting the less fortunate (Philip 74). Professionalism and ethics work hand in hand.

For one to be a successful professional he or she needs to have all the ethics values and virtues. Successful engineers are as a result of the moral behaviors and work ethics they endorse in their day to day undertaking. If these ethics are advocated world wide then the world will absolutely have more engineers who are professionally fit.

Naagarazan, Ramayan. Textbook on Professional Ethics and Human Values. New Delhi: New Age International, 2006. Print.

Philip, Sadler. Management consultancy: a handbook for best practice. London: Kogan Page Publishers, 2002. Print.

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