Following The Business Ethics...

There was a time when people used to judge practices as “right” or “wrong”. However, today there seems to be a very thin line dividing them. The advent of technology, the fast pace of life, and various other factors has made ethical living a bit more difficult than what it was before.

Ethical Behaviour and the Traditional Theories

The most common principle of morality, i.e. “treat everyone the way you treat yourself” remains a golden rule for many till date. However, this belief sometimes seem hard to follow. It sometimes becomes difficult to exactly forecast the impact of the decision.

Herbert Taylor derived the Rotary Four-Way Test, to arrive at the level of morality of any action:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

However, this system has certain limitations. The foremost limitation is that the questions are of subjective nature. For example, many people are of of the opinion that speaking the truth may not always be a good option. Many others feel that an unbiased or fair solutions may not lead to creating goodwill.

Thomas Jefferson\\\'s transparency theory believes that a person should act as is everyone around notices what he / she is doing. This theory holds good for those who care others\\\' thoughts. Most people, to a certain level do consider this.

Various companies have applied the Scout Law to guide them while framing the value statements and the mission statements. The Scout Law is based on the following principles:

1. A Scout is Trustworthy

2. A Scout is Loyal

3. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother / sister to every other Scout.

4. A Scout is courteous

5. A Scout is a friend to animals and loves nature.

6. A Scout is disciplined and helps protect public property.

7. A Scout is courageous.

8. A Scout is thrifty.

9. A Scout is pure in thought, word and deed.

10. A Scout obeys the order.

Combining Business and Ethics

The immediate step after choosing the system to assist in solving ethical issues arising in a modern work environment, is to devise something similar to help the employees. First is to frame a path to point down appropriate behaviour in different situations, not only through words but also by actions. Every employee should be taught to think ethically. This should happen in the orientation programme.

Personal ethics start faltering in stressful situations. Employees should be taught that rationalizing poor decisions, blaming victims of wrong actions, and raising a finger at others would not be tolerated. Inform them about the repercussions of such unethical behaviour at work, and ensure that the same is documented.

“What type of people would perform such an action?” This statement should be engraved in the minds of the employees and they should be held accountable for memorising this. In this way it would be possible for a business to find itself on the positive side of the thin dividing line.