Code of Ethics Begin by preparing of Code of Ethics for a fictional company which should include at minimum ten elements. Once you have compiled the Code of Ethics, respond to the following questions: Why did you include each of the ten elements? Why is a Code of Ethics an important part of every business from an employer standpoint? Why is a Code of Ethics an important part of every business from an employee standpoint? Once you have written the Code of Ethics, how would you implement to ensure compliance?

Why did you include each of the ten elements?

1. The first ethical code sums up the way humans should act toward one another. It is the Golden Rule, Jesus’ admonition to his followers and Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative. In other words, it is the only way that the human species will survive. If too many people acted for their own interests only, humans would end up killing one another off in rapid fashion. Powell (2017) of Entrepreneur says, “The golden rule is a way of improving emotional intelligence and increasing an awareness of ethics in every interaction” (Powell, 2017). By using a simple standard such as the Golden Rule, of which most people are aware, it eliminates the need to consider complicated philosophical discussions.

2. This code addresses diversity. Every business should strive for a diverse workforce and that workforce should be welcoming of each other. The diversity would then extend to their clientele and that could make the difference of whether a company stays in business or not. People who see others like themselves working for a business tend to patronize that business.

3. If an employee is rude to other employees, clients, customers, or just in general, that will reflect badly on the people who hired him/her. While there should be a mix of personality types in a workplace, a rude person always makes life difficult. Adults who are capable of holding a job should be capable of civility also.

4. This is another catch-all type of phrase that should cover many areas. While not every employee, perhaps especially those that are inexperienced, will understand what exactly “acting professional” means, they can be mentored. The statements in a code of conduct or ethics are also goals for which employees can strive.

5. Sometimes it is difficult to define what harassment is. A good way to define all types of harassment is that if it is bothering the person that is the receiver/victim of the behavior and they ask the perpetrator/harasser to stop, then any further such behavior is harassment.

6. Conflicts of interests can do damage to the company. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) (2019) says, “Many conflicts of interest involve commercial interests or financial arrangements. Policies and procedures in workplace settings should be evaluated to safeguard against biases or preferences being introduced into professional judgments. If a professional is offered, or receives, gifts or incentives—even something as minor as a free lunch—conflict of interest may be suspected” (ASHA, 2019). For example, an employee of a janitorial company should not work for a company that sells cleaning products and sell those products to the janitorial company. There are too many ways that can backfire for both companies and the employee.

7. This just makes sense. Employers want their employees to do a full day’s work for a full day’s pay. The ethics of employees are not always great because they have no issue with spending hours scrolling through their Facebook feed or shopping while at work, but they would have a problem if their paycheck was docked for the hours they spend goofing off. Depending upon how much weight is given to the code of conduct, if an employee is caught goofing off, or violating any of the other codes, he or she could be terminated for it.

8. Not only is it detrimental to employee performance if they take illicit drugs, drink alcohol or take prescription drugs that impair performance, it is also a hazard to the employer. If the impaired person did something that injured others or somehow caused damage, the company could be held liable because the employee was engaged to be working at the time.

9. This code refers to employees who try so hard to do well at their jobs that they overstep the law. This code goes back to the company’s reputation and integrity. For instance, one hears stories of people receiving gifts and kickbacks on the job that affect the way they perform their jobs. This is not good for employers, the employee or society.

10. Again, employees represent the business for which they work. They should look appropriate and not need a shower.