Making it Stick | What is the role of ethics officer and what message does it convey to stakeholders?

What is the role of ethics officer and what message does it convey to stakeholders?

The hiring of an ethics officer represents a formal commitment to the management and leadership of an organization's ethics program. The role usually develops as a separate department, responsible for enforcing the code of ethics and for providing support to any employees who witness unethical behavior. It sends a clear message to an organization's stakeholders and provides an appropriate person to whom employees and managers can when they need additional guidance and support.

Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e

Making it Stick | What steps can be taken to create an ethical culture that is sustainable?

What steps can be taken to create an ethical culture that is sustainable?

1. Establish a code of ethics.

2. Support the code of ethics with extensive training for every member of the organization.

3. Hire an ethics officer.

4. Celebrate and reward ethical behavior demonstrated by employees.

5. Promote the organization's commitment to ethical behavior.

6. Continue to monitor the behavior as the organization grows.



Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e

Making it Stick: Doing What’s Right in a Competitive Market | Key Terms

Key Terms - Making it Stick: Doing What’s Right in a Competitive Market

Ethics Officer:  A senior executive responsible for monitoring the ethical performance of the organization both internally and externally.

Organizational Integrity:  A characteristic of publicly committing to the highest professional standards and sticking to that commitment. 

Proactive Ethical Policies:  Policies that result when a company develops a clear sense of what they stand for as an ethical organization.

Reactive Ethical Policies:  Policies that result when organizations are driven by events and/or fear of future events.

Sustainable Ethics:  An ethical culture that persist long after the latest public scandal or the latest management buzzword.

Transparent Organization:  An organization that maintains open and honest communications with all stakeholders

Source: Ghillyer_Business Ethics A Real World Approach 2e