Text 3. Creating Corporate Ethics

The subjects covered by the company's ethics can vary greatly from one business to another. The ethical standards usually dictate how employees should act toward each other and how they should act toward non-employees. By employing the company's ethics, businesses can exercise a greater amount of control over its image. Many industries have professional ethics committees. These bodies are a step below the law and a step above a company.

In companies employees often have to follow the work ethic of a supervisor or manager. The company's expectation should be clearly identified, and the staff should know what is preferred in the company. If this includes working early hours until a particular time in the evening, this behaviour must be a norm to the senior leadership as well, so that other employees have a standard to follow. Creating the corporate ethics of the organisation, it might be useful to outline a series of expectations for the company. These expectations should be shared with members of an organisation, and employee feedback should be welcome.

The corporate ethics reflects the values, beliefs and goals of the organisation. Establishing open communication between the management and other employees supports the process of creating the right image. The way staff speak to management, to customers and to each other gives clues to the organisation's image and culture. Thus, a dress code at a company might not be formally introduced even if it is part of an employees introductory package that is received when hired. Different departments might have separate expectations for appropriate work attire, and when creating corporate image, these variations should be clearly identified and taken into account.

Answer the questions:

1. Are ethical norms equal to all companies or do they varyfrom one business to another?

2. How do ethical standards affect employees?

3. How can a company exercise a greater amount of control over its image?

4. What do many industries have?

5. What legal status do the ethics committees have?

6. What norms do employees usually have to follow?

7. What should be clearly identified in the company?

8. What behaviour must be a norm to the senior leadership?

9. How should the company act creating the corporate ethics?

10. What gives clues to the organisation's image and culture?