You are What you Do: Workplace Ethics

To safeguard your image is to follow value based work ethics. There is no difference between personal ethics and work place ethics. Ethics are same wherever we are .We make choices between right and wrong.

Workplace values can be defined as a code of conduct or expectations about the employee’s behavior or expectations in the organization. Employees are of heterogeneous nature in terms of their background, attitude & behavior. Hence there is a need for a defined act of rules & regulations for the heterogeneous employees to abide by.

Workplace ethics includes honesty, integrity, being punctual, empathy & compassion for others and unprejudiced dealings with colleagues & subordinates, respect for the right of others, positive attitude about / towards work and accountability for personal actions.

Be punctual: 

·        Most vital & minimum workplace value expected.

·        Recognize the importance of time (yours & others).

·        Arrive on and complete the assigned job in time. This reflects your character.

Be cooperative: 

·        Cooperation, most important attitude expected of an individual.

·        This builds up team spirit & expedites success.

Be committed:

·        Commitment not only gives you professional growth but also personal satisfaction of doing justice to your work.

Be truthful:

·        Always tell the truth because you don’t have to remember what you said.

·        It reflects your character.

·        Integrity is a moral value which one should imbibe in every aspect of one’s activity, be personal or official.

Be loyal: 

·                                  Be loyal to your organization.

·                                  Avoid anything that tantamount to malpractice.

·                                  If dilemma, to do or not to do. “Don’t do it”.

 Be accountable: 

·     Taking responsibility is one side of story .Taking accountability of your actions is the most important trait.

·        This will enforce the leadership qualities in you.

Maintain confidentiality:

·        Close your lips tight when it comes to confidential information of the organization.

·        Remember “non-disclosure” policy & “need to know information ” policy.

General rule: 

Always present following questions to yourself before you indulge in an act or deed?

                         Is it legal?

          Does this violate organization’s policy?

       Will this action cause damage to my personal / co-worker’s /    organization’s reputation?

          Will I be able to hold my head high after doing this particular act?

·        If the answer to above questions is “yes” , keep yourself away from the act / deed.

 Learn from your mistakes: how to deal with your mistakes

·        It’s human to make mistakes. No one is infallible.

·        Following are the tips on dealing with mistakes at workplace so that it aids your professional development and growth.

Come clean: 

·        To hide something forever is impossible.

·        Always admit your mistakes immediately and apologize for the same.

·        Confess in a direct, objective & emotional manner, saves any drama.

·        Prepare yourself for the worst.

·     Boss may turn around and appreciate your strength and courage in owning  up the mistake.

No blame game :

·        Take ownership without pointing fingers.

·        Undue explanation, arguments or defensiveness will undermine your confession.

·        Maintain a sense of perspective and do not needlessly berate yourself either.

·        See the humor in the mistake and do not punish yourself unnecessarily.

            ·        Don’t equate making mistakes with being a mistake.

Operation: Fix it

·        Instead of just admitting, make amends by offering possible solutions.

·        Try to find ways to tackle the problem seek advice / help if required.

·        Prepare to follow through by working extra hours.

Make it a learning experience 

·    Learn the lesson by investigating why the mistake happened to avoid repetition in future.

·        Be strong and optimistic and make changes in your work accordingly.

·        Develop a sense of judgments, creativity and innovation.

·    Business should find all the employees who never make mistakes and free them, , because employees who never make mistakes never do anything interesting.