Ethics, in its simplest form, could be said to be what one does when no one is watching or when there are no systems and personnel to ensure compliance. Work ethics is a set of values which is primarily based on hard work and diligence, it also has to do with moral character at the workplace and its ability to improve attitude.

 

Ethics and compliance are mostly management issues and could be part of set standards approved by a board and subject for review depending on prevailing circumstances at the workplace. This is more often than not disseminated to middle management, supervisors, team leaders, etc.

Most importantly, human resource professionals play a key role in ensuring compliance because violation could be a subject matter for a disciplinary action - termination or dismissal of an employee, in a worst case scenario, it could begin an unnecessary legal battle if not managed objectively and professionally.

 

Employees who demonstrate good corporate ethics become more productive, responsible and  climb the corporate ladder faster, however, employees who prove otherwise are normally tagged as bad employees with negative attitudes, unproductive and are sometimes seen as rebellious and litigants, who may not have justified the reason for hiring their services.

Ethical standards agreed upon should be evident for both internal and external customers to feel and see as being implemented at all levels. This should be a reflection, in every aspect, of the business and it should be seen in the following;

 

High Sense of Integrity: Integrity is vital and it affects an employee’s behaviour and work activities. An employee who exhibits integrity gains trust from their bosses and their stakeholders in the advancement of targets, be it internal or external. Peers tend to believe their feedback, suggestions and even criticisms when necessary. 

 

Sense of Discipline: A lot of effort is needed to stay disciplined and committed to help get things done. Employees who are disciplined get their jobs accomplished and put in measures to help them stay focused on their objectives. This is seen in their dedication to work, which encourages others to do their best.

 

Sense of Responsibility: Employees are expected to be responsible with everything entrusted to their care. When workers feel responsible for their jobs, they go all out to get it done and make sure it is done effectively and efficiently. It would even be seen in the way they handle company properties and how they deal with issues concerning the business. 

 

Quality Standards: It has been proven over time that employees with strong work ethics have an eye on the quality of their work and the way to get it done. They go the extra mile to produce results for seemingly very little tasks. It should be noted that individuals and teams who show commitment to quality help to enhance the overall quality standards of the organization.

 

Teamwork: Working in teams helps achieve better results because of the synergy associated with team work. A worker with a good appetite for teamwork enhances his/her team to meet targets and ensure quality work performance. It further entrenches personal relationships between team members, which is very healthy.

 

Protection of Rights: When companies and workers think of workplace ethics, they typically think about protection against immoral behaviour and illegal activity on the job. But workplace ethics also provide protection of basic human rights in the office. 

 

Ultimately, it is important to set a framework within which all these will operate and how it is going to be managed. A strong ethical culture and compliance are at the heart of good businesses, if not, it could throw the entire set up into a legal battle since most of these violations could be bases for disciplinary procedures.

 

Boards have an important role as guardians of ethics and compliance. To a large extent, the board delegates and empowers the management to ensure strict adherence to work place ethics. More often than not, this is embedded through staff orientation, staff durbars, change management campaigns, and in some organizations, it forms a minimal part of individual and team’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) as agreed upon and signed off.

 

Work place ethics and its compliance should be ensured through professional means to help get the involvement of all parties concerned and also make the organization an employer of choice and a brand everybody would want to be associated with at all times.

 

Kofi Ampadu Okyere, Lead Partner, BriSal HR Ghana