As a business ethics speaker, business ethics consultant and ethics book author, I am often asked to explain the difference between workplace conditions and workplace environment. Are they the same? Not quite, but they are closely related.
A true test of corporate social responsibility is not how an organization ethically “postures,” but how it behaves towards its own people. In short, to do good externally, companies must be good internally. It makes no difference what slogans, talking points, cereal-box copy or social media blabbering an organization might use to portray itself if, at the end of the day, the organization is an ethically unhealthy place to work. And, by organization, I am extending the sense of business ethics from board members and vendors down to part-time hires and interns. No one is above the ethical environment
Business Ethics: Workplace conditions and workplace environment
To examine this comparison, let me start with the workplace environment. As a business ethics speaker and ethics consultant, this is the world in which I usually dwell. Corporate social responsibility relies on a commitment to ethics.
The entire package of the workplace environment must include a sense of ethical and legal duty to each employee; fair and equitable compensation; an inclusive and diverse place in which to work (obviously free of religious intolerance, ageism, bullying or sexual abuse); a sense of privacy and personal safety. Within that context, there should be a written code of ethics and an ironclad way in which an employee can make complaints without any fear of retribution. The code
In terms of workplace conditions, here is where we must get into workplace safety. Workplace safety is a contract between employer and employee to keep everyone safe. This includes training and equipment, with no cost-cutting or dangerous situations. Who should be safety aware? Everyone. Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded close to 2.5 million workplace injuries with – very sadly – about 340 deaths per day. Employers, never be deceived into thinking the injuries were limited to companies in the construction trade. Severe slips, falls, badly sprained backs and fractures occurred to office workers, drivers, temporary help and executives (who thought themselves to be above safety training).
Who are the role models?
The role models for ethical behavior extend to everyone in a socially responsible corporate environment. It is an equal screen. The best managers are always the best ethical models.
Unfortunately, as a business ethics consultant and business ethics speaker, I have witnessed and heard stories of highly unethical managers in industries which are thought to be ethical – by virtue of their business alone. Please don’t be deceived by the assumption that good ethics are the natural domain of certain corporations. It doesn’t work that way. I have heard unethical stories related by employees of “green” companies, organic product companies, alternative energy companies and professed self-aware companies. On the other hand, I have witnessed highly ethical behaviors in multi-national companies or in healthcare companies or in major financial organizations. If positive role modeling is in place, the organization will follow.
Role models at every level, who pattern and teach ethical behavior should be encouraged to come from everywhere in an organization. They should be empowered to call out abuses when they see it.
Why is the topic of business ethics as it refers to workplace conditions and workplace environment so important? Because one can’t exist without the other. It is a continuum from the safety of every employee in the workplace to every contact and customer in the industry.
The age of transparency
The workplace environment relies on transparency. If the company professes to be ethical it must also be willing to open itself to scrutiny. Workplace conditions must be reflective of that mindset as well.
As a business ethics motivational speaker, I teach that ultimately, there are no shortcuts to being an ethical role model. A person is, or isn’t. The choices are clear in business ethics.
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