Business Ethics

Have Corporate Ethics Policies Written Down Rather Than Verbally Communicated

All customers and clients must have faith in the organization they do business with. No one wants to be associated with a business that has a reputation of dishonesty and deceit. Therefore businesses must use corporate ethics policies as instruments for profitability in the long term. With different people comprising business ethics for varied intentions, putting effective ethical policies on paper on a daily basis is next to impossible.

Most people face ethical dilemmas between playing by the book and making money. Many people can be put to test when put into a situation where they have to do what's right for them, their employer or their customers. However, if employees and employers have strong ethical policies in place they would be able to establish a code of conduct that would serve as an example for others to follow. Not only would these traits be good for them but would also affect the long term planning of the organization.

Nevertheless, it is important for businesses to remember that corporate ethics policies are largely based on personal ethics that are instilled at a younger age. But they can be taught at a later stage as well. Training programs can come to the rescue of employers at the stage of hiring new employees.

Once the employees are able to identify right from wrong, they would be able to avoid any compromises in the quality of their services and therefore the bottom line of the business. That is why it is advisable for businessmen to incorporate a strong business integrity that would demonstrate keeping promises and commitments and honesty.

Another corporate ethics policy for businessmen to follow is to make sure that their customers are treated with utmost respect. A negative response from the customers could spread about the businesses dealings or services like fire. Therefore, corporates must follow policies that make them trustworthy and dependable for their customers.

One such corporate ethics policy is the corporate social responsibility policy. With the growing need to protect their customers, employees and finances, organizations are adopting these policies. The policy can also be enforced through a firm which writes the policy as a business.

Businessmen can also consult firms or lawyers who would explicitly advice and write the corporate social responsibility policies for the organization. The guidelines must define what ethical and unethical behavior is and whom to report in case any wrong doings are suspected.

However, before these policies are put to practice, organizations must check that the policy leaves no room for loop holes or any statements that can be misunderstood. This is one of the major reasons why corporate ethics policies must be written and not verbally stated to the employees. Not only would a written policy make the enforcement easier but would also act as a constant reminder for employees as well as employers to curb their unethical behavior.