How to Analyze the Code
of Ethics of an Organization
by Malik Sharrieff, Demand Media
The Society for Human Resource Management states that a code of
ethics raises ethical expectations, legitimizes ethical positions, encourages
ethical decision-making and prevents misconduct while providing for
enforcement. As a consumer, vendor or business owner, it may be important to
know how to analyze a firm's code of ethics to establish an
understanding of the ethical considerations it employs in business decisions.
Step 1
Identify the tone of the organization’s code of
ethics. Review the document to get a feel if the firm buys into a position of
self-righteousness. See if the company's code of ethics gives an
impression that the firm strives to meet a higher moral standard, or whether it
simply serves the company's profit motive.
Step 2
Review the code of ethics to determine if the document is clearly
written and well-organized. See if the document flows, or is difficult to read.
Decide if the verbiage makes sense, and keep your eye out for contradictions or
inconsistencies. Notice if the language is unnecessarily complex. Look for
clear, everyday language that people at every level of the company can
understand easily.
Step 3
Study the company’s mission and vision statements to
determine if the code of ethics is congruent with them, or if the code of
ethics doesn’t seem match the tone or direction that these other
statements seem to set.
Step 4
Read the title of the ethics document. It should be memorable, not
simply "Our Brand Inc. Code of Ethics." Check to see
if the code of ethics contains a letter from the corporate leadership, and an
introduction. Determine if the letter and introduction provide direction about
how the company should use the code of ethics, and a commitment that the
business leadership intends to apply to the ethics rules.
Step 5
Look for a clear guidance within the sections of the code of
ethics regarding its necessity, to whom the code will apply, how the company
will measure behavior the code governs. Look also for accountability and
reporting protocols for infractions against of the code.
Step 6
Determine if the code of ethics is directed toward its intended
users–the employees of the firm--or if it is just another
marketing tool. A good code of ethics will guide the employee at any level of
the firm in making business decisions that are strategically and ethically
correct for the company.
No comments:
Post a Comment