Bachelor Of Occupational Safety and Health

FAHM 3083
Ethics in OSH Profession

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
 Focus of the Chapter
• Definition of ethics

• Foundation of ethics

• Importance of ethics in profession.

• Recognizing and resolving ethical dilemma.

 A Competent Worker. . .
• Establishes credibility through
COMPETENCE and
INTEGRITY
• Can be TRUSTED
• Chooses an ETHICAL course
of action

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 Introduction
• Ethics is everyone’s business, from top level manager to lowest
level employees in organization. Doing business involve human
interaction. Some people may have high ethical standard and some
may not.

• The challenge is to conduct business ethically while achieving high

level of economic performance. Manager must manage their
organization’s ethical environment. Due to imperfection of human
nature and inappropriate management control, many organization
are ethically challenged.

• Ethical behavior has always been important, but many high-profile

cases still occur over the last several years.

• Business around the world continue to address the ethical behavior

of their employees.
 …Introduction
1960s loyalty with employer, drug abuse, environment.

1970s suffered a recession, unemployment rate rose dramatically,

human right issues, corporation cover up wrongdoing.

1980s financial fraud and loan scandal.

1990s unsafe work practices, child labor issues, and environmental

issues.

New millennium – financial mismanagement, intellectual

property theft, cybercrime, personal privacy.
Why ethical problems still
arise in business?

What can be done to solve

them?
 Definition
Ethics refers to values an individuals uses to interpret whether any
particular action or behavior is considered acceptable and appropriate.
* Behavior that is morally accepted as ‘good’ and ‘right’ as opposed to
‘bad’ or ‘wrong’ in a particular setting.
* Right behavior is considered as ethical behavior and wrong behavior is
considered unethical behavior

Business ethics are collective values of business organization that can be

used whether the behavior of collective members are considered
acceptable and appropriate.
* Application of general ethical rules to business behavior.
* e.g. honest/dishonest with employee and customer.

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Ethics is derived from Greek word,
ethos which mean ‘character’

Ethics can be seen from customs,

moral, and human relationship. Thus
it vary throughout the world

It is controversial because it raise

emotional question about right or
wrong behavior. The difference
between right and wrong is not
always clear.
 In your opinions, what are
the ethical issues that differ
among the different
countries?

Global codes of ethics to

solve bribery, inadequate
labor conditions and
environmental responsibility
 Foundations of Ethics

➢ Ethics is highly personal and is shaped by an

individuals own values and experience.

➢Face situation which you can make ethical or unethical

decision. Make decision choice based on what you have
learned from parents, family, teachers, friends and so
forth.

➢ What you have learned, shape your value and

influence ethical decision.
Values are relatively permanent
and deeply held preferences upon
which individuals form attitudes
and personal choice; most stable
& endurance
 Types of Value

a) Instrumental Value
❖ A standard of conduct or methods for attaining
an end.
❖ Also called means-oriented value.
❖ E.g. ambition

b) Terminal Value
❖ A goal an individual will ultimately strive to
achieve.
❖ Also called ends-oriented value.
❖ E.g. self respect, world peace
 Although value are individual
characteristic, there are some
similarities between group members.
e.g. An group of student are very
concern with responsibility, capability,
and freedom.

Ethical standard of an organization

reflect the personal value of
organization’s founder or dominant
manager.

e.g. Manager are role models for

organization ethical behavior and
commitment.
 Personal Code of Ethics

• You have been developing your own code of ethics since

you were a child.

• Your personal value / code of ethics affects your

behavior.

• Ethical decisions come down to how you treat:

– Other people.
– Other people’s belongings and resources.
– Public property.
– The environment.

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 Right and Wrong in the Workplace
• Employers expect employees to bring their conscience
(principles & value) to work.

• Employees expect companies to be honest and

responsible.

• Ethical choices may not always be easy.

• Situational ethics may apply.

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 Are You Unethical?
Would you:
• Steal from your • Sabotage company
employer? projects?

• Commit computer • Fake injuries to receive

fraud? workers’ compensation
benefits or insurance?
• Embezzle funds?
• Take a sick day when
• Vandalize company you are not really sick?
property?
• Abuse your expense
account?

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 Importance of Ethics in Profession
• The purpose of learning about ethics is to identify what is regarded as right or
wrong in profession.

• Ethical standard are embodied in the various professional councils as standard

of conduct / codes of ethics.

• Ethics and Codes of Conducts: Although codes of ethics are part of ethics, they
are not the whole of subject. Each profession has their own codes or standard
which each member should maintain and guide ethical conduct in particular
situation.

• Ethics and Law: Although ethics and law do overlap, there is a distinction
between the two. Ethics and law are separate action-guiding systems.
Professional first obey the law for direction, however, if no law exist, they use
their knowledge and understanding of ethics to decide their action.
 Ethical Dilemma: Recognizing and Resolving

• Ethical problems are situation/incidents that have arisen from

a moral or ethical issues which are vitally important in the life
of individuals. Everyday, media report the latest organizational
misbehavior. The judicial system overflow with lawsuit for
alleged wrongdoing by organization.

• Human being posses free will and can choose to behave

ethically or unethically in particular situation. However, even
the decision maker believes he or she is being ethical,
someone harmed by the action may think otherwise. Some
decision are obviously right or wrong, while other are
questionable.
 Ethical Dilemma: Recognizing and Resolving

• Ethical dilemma are more than just a problem as these, it has

two possible ways or options of solving the problem, but
neither of these options appear to be correct.

• Ethical dilemma can occur when there is incompatibility

between ethical principles, competing moral duties, or
conflicting interest. Besides that, ethical dilemma are because
situation are ambiguous. E.g. when a person said “ I know this
is wrong but I am going to do it anyway”.
Using Framework to Understand Potential Ethical
Problems/Dilemmas

Communication

Understanding Reflection
 Factors Influencing Ethical Problems

Knowledge Amoral
Deficit Behavior

Authoritarian Cause of Group Moral

Professional Ethical Standard
Problems

Moral
Insensitivity
 …Factors Influencing Ethical Problems
a) Knowledge deficit
▪ Occur when the professional lacks education in ethics and consequently
aware that a problem occur.
▪ E.g. OSH student who have not received any education on ethics.
▪ Professional does not see the situation as being ethical or moral
problems.

b) Authoritarian Professional
▪ When professional placed themselves in a position of power or authority.
▪ Use this position to enforced moral standard on others.
▪ They do not want others questioning their opinions and belief.
▪ Unable to see different point of views.
 …Factors Influencing Ethical Problems
c) Group Moral Standard
▪ So much group player that they do not question the behavior of other group
members.
▪ The professional standard of ethics come from what the rest of the group
does.
▪ Coaching team members to voice their opinions.

d) Moral Insensitivity
▪ Professional is thoroughly convinced that they are right.
▪ Undertake action without considering the feeling of other people.

e) Amoral Behavior
▪ Professional does not display any moral concern for other people but
themselves.
▪ Reject any moral position except for their own gain.
▪ E.g. lie to customer.
 TUTORIAL 1
• 1) Define ethics.

• 2) Define value.

• 3) What is ethics on health and safety?

• 4) Explain the importance of ethics in profession.

• 5) What is professional ethics and its importance?

• 6) Discuss the factors that can influence ethical problems in

organization.
THANK YOU