Business Ethics and SENIOR

HIGH
Social Responsibility SCHOOL

Common Practices in Business Module

Organization Part 1 8
Quarter 3

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility- Grade 12
Quarter 3 – Module 8: Common Practices in Business Organization
First Edition, 2020

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Business Ethics
and Social SENIOR
HIGH
Responsibility SCHOOL

Module

8
Quarter 3

Common Practices in Business

Organization Part 1
Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the Senior High School – Common Practices in Business

Organizations Part 1!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
 For the Learner:

Welcome to the Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Self-Learning

Module on Common Practices in Business Organization Part 2!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. describe the common business practices on decorum and protocols;

2. state the importance of ethical practices in decorum and protocols; and
3. craft simple “code of ethics” or “code of right conducts” for decorum and
protocols.

PRETEST

Tell whether the statement is True or False.

1. It is always important to prepare all essential documents when presenting to

a client.
2. Spreading gossip is okay because you are doing it during break time.
3. It is a must to consider the feelings of others when interacting with them.
4. We can interrupt someone talking anytime we want especially if what we will
say is relevant.
5. Nepotism is one of the business practices in our country.

RECAP
1. Remember the days that you are in school, can you recall a situation that
shows an ethical action?
2. Business ethics do apply in a small or big business. In a sari-sari store, what
do you think are the common business ethics that you observed?

LESSON

There are common business acts that are being practiced in every firm’s activity.
Business practices are a set of governing rules that are being conducted to reach the
goals of the firm. These rules guide the employees on how they should act and decide.
It is expected that every employee must abide by the laws of the company
accordingly.
 Decorum and protocols are examples of the practices in the company. Let us
explore these practices to know how it is being applied in Filipino set-up kind of
business.

A. Decorum
On-Time

• When we are in a business

setting, we should always
practice being punctual. It is
one of the simplest forms of
professionalism in the
business world.
• Arrive at your office on or
before your official time.
• Respect the time of other
people. When meeting
someone, whether clients,
managers or any important
persons, always be prompt.
Don’t let the other parties
wait for you. Come to the
meeting place 15-30 minutes
before the time of the https://www.pexels.com/photo/accessory-close-up-conceptual-focus-1151440/
meeting.
• Make some allowances for the unexpected delays
• Confirm business appointments
• If you come on time to business meeting, making sure to finish the
meeting on time, that shows also a sign of respect.

On Preparation

• Make sure that all your files and pertinent documents are ready when
presenting to clients or other parties.
• When conducting the interview, make sure that your questions are
ready.
• Check your laptop or projector if it is functioning and do a dry run
before the time of the meeting.
• Make sure that your battery is full when using gadgets in meetings and
other events.
On Agenda

• The executive should circulate the meeting agenda one week in

advance.
• If you are one of the important persons in the meeting, inform the
chairperson if you can not attend the meeting to make necessary
adjustments on the date and time of the meeting.
On Attire and Appearance
 • Dress appropriately in the workplace.
• Wear the proper dress code. If you are in the corporate industry, you
must wear formal attire, but if you are in a manufacturing firm, usually
they require a polo shirt and jeans.
• Wear also the proper uniform that the company issued to be easily
recognized as the employee of the company.
• Always know the dress code when coming into work-related social
events because we don’t want our company to be put to shame. By
dressing properly, we show that we value our work and the reputable
name of our company.
• As a head, you must always remind your personnel of the proper dress
code in events you are attending to.
• Everybody must strictly follow the rules.
• It is better to give illustrations/ samples of attire the employees need to
wear to have the same view on the proper dress code.
• Wear a conservative type of dress to earn respect from other people.

On Decorum

• Always watch your words when speaking to someone.

• Maintain your composure even things are getting on your nerves.
• Never use foul or offending words because that is a sign of
unprofessionalism.
• Spreading gossip and confidential information MUST be avoided
because it will not create a harmonious environment.
• Avoid tapping on the table, chewing food or bubble gum or creating
noise from your mouth, tapping your feet on the floor, playing with your
swivel chair, yawning loudly, and other forms of destruction when
conversing with a group or even individuals.
On Basic Courtesy and Respect

• We should always consider the feelings of others when interacting with

them. Remain courteous and respectful even in challenging times.
• If you are arguing with peers, stay on the topic, and do not get into a
personal manner.
• Treat everyone with respect as much as we want to be respected,
whether it is our superiors, peers, or subordinates.
• Be cautious with the words that you use and your environment to keep
a harmonious relationship.

On Greetings

• The usual way to greet someone is by shaking his hand and smile.
• Commonly, in formal situations, the first one to greet is the oldest or
the most important person.
• In women that know each other very well, they greet normally by giving
warm embrace and cheek to cheek.
On Formal and Informal Address

• When it is your first time to meet someone, address him by his family
name.
• In our country, we use “Mister” for men and “Mrs” for women who are
married but it is always safe to use “Miss” if we do not know the civil
status of a person.
• We must also know the title of the person we are talking to for us to
address him/her correctly (titles such as Doctor, Attorney, Engineer,
Architect, etc. )
• Avoid calling a person in their first name unless they ask you to do so.

On Speaking in Meetings

• Wait for your turn when you want to say something.

• Commonly, there is a designated time for question and answer portion,
wait for this time if you want your queries to be clarified.
• It is a big NO to interrupt someone when they are talking or asking
questions.
• Be still and compose even if you do not agree with someone’s
comments/suggestions/ opinions. Do not raise your voice nor use foul
language.
On Listening

• Always take down notes to remember all of the important things that
have been discussed in the meeting. Taking down notes also avoids
repetition of questions that have been answered already.

On Cellphones and Laptops

• Make it a habit to turn off your cellphone or put it into vibration mode
even before the meeting starts.
• Excuse yourself once you receive phone calls and leave the meeting
room to avoid destructions and disturbance.
• Do not also use your laptop unless it is needed in the meeting.

On Business and Visiting Cards

• Always use your both hands in presenting the business card to a

business client.

On Break

• When having a meeting, give time to a break every two hours.

• During break time, it should last for at least 15-20 minutes while meal
time is 30 minutes to 1 hour.

On Appropriate Communication

• Always make sure to return call phone calls and emails.

• Always inform the person on the other line of your name, company
name, and the department you are representing.
• Always speak politely.
 • When sending emails, use appropriate subject to easily identify the
concern of your message.
• Always use words that
sound professional.
• Salutations and greetings
should be used in standard
correspondence.
• Words such as “Dear”,
‘respectfully” or sincerely,
please, thank you are the
common words to express
respect and professionalism.
• When constructing e-mails,
never use capital letters
because it may seem like
you are yelling to the
https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-formal-male-with-laptop-chatting-via-
receiver of the letter. phone-3760263/

On Building Relationship

• Treat your employees with respect.

• Thoughtfulness is one of the keys to having a good relationship with
them. Some companies give the cake to the birthday celebrant. Some
give birthday allowance or birthday leave to show care to their
employees.
• It is also better to take some time to visit and talk to your staffs even
janitorial positions.

On-Gift Giving

• Appreciate the gift you receive whether it is a big or small item.

• Opening of gift can wait after all the guest in the event place left.
• Common gifts that large companies prepare for their contacts are pens,
notepads, umbrellas, wines, and food products.
• The presentation of the gift is also important, so use elegant wrappers.
• Bring sweets or flowers(except for chrysanthemums and white lilies) if
you are invited to a Filipino home.
• You may send fruits after the event but not before and during the event.

B. Protocol
Examples of Protocols in Philippine Business

Filipino Family- Modeled Businesses- in some corporations, nepotism

does exist where employers give more favor to their relatives to be employed
in their company. Thus, it is very rare for them to be fired for being inefficient
in the workplace unless a major mistake was done.
Business is Personal –in the Philippines, it is easy to deal with your
partners to be if you happen to be introduced by a friend related to the
company you want to deal with. A personal approach is such a factor to make
decisions and close a deal. So it is important to know the right people and
 their relationship with the company when doing business with others because
the successful relationship is based on personal interaction and trust.

Status-Consciousness – Filipinos need to be acknowledged by his/her

title because we are status-conscious. For many, it is a way of showing respect
to your business partner or soon to be partners

Politeness and Ambiguity – For us Filipinos, it is very difficult for us

to say “no” to any business proposal because we value the culture of
pakikisama and the importance of having a harmonious relationship with
business partners and other entity related to our firm. Because we don’t want
to offend or embarrass someone by saying no, we make excuses by saying
“we’ll get back to you” maybe later” we’ll call you back”, “perhaps”, maybe on
another day”. For some instance, phones calls are not answered or secretary’s
common spill is “the boss is out” as a means of declining some offers or
proposals.

ACTIVITIES

Activity No. 1
Based on what you have read from last time’s discussion and today’s lesson,
craft a “code of ethics” or “code of right conducts” under decorum and protocol
business common practices set-up here in the Philippines. Remember to state the
name of your business and its nature for you to be able to create a sound code of
ethics. (Please keep this code of right of conduct because you will be needing this in
the next lesson).

Activity No. 2
Search for decorum and protocols of businesses in other countries that is not
commonly practiced here in our country but you think might be applicable and
helpful to adapt by businesses in the Philippines to create a better environment and
help attain their objective/s.

WRAP-UP

1. What is business practice?

2. What are the common practices under decorum?
3. What are the common business practices in protocols?
 VALUING

Many rules is being discussed earlier under decorum and protocols. Among
those rules under decorum, what do you think is the most given importance or
emphasis by the Filipino business owners? Why do you think so? How about in
protocols?

What do you think has the least given importance under decorum practices?
Why do you think so? How about in protocols?

What is the importance of decorum and protocols in business?

POSTTEST

Fill in the blank.

1. The proper attire code for corporate industry is _____________.

2. When having a meeting, give time for a break every ____ hours.
3. Come to the meeting place ______ minutes before the time.
4. Filipinos must be acknowledged by their titles because they are
___________.
5. _____________ is an act of an employer to give favor to his relatives to be
employed in his company.
 KEY TO CORRECTION

Nepotism 5. True 5.
Status Conscious 4. False 4.
15-30 minutes 3. True 3.
2 hours 2. False 2.
Formal Attire 1. True 1.
Posttest Pretest

References
Books

Jerusalem, Violeta L. Business Ethics & Social Responsibility: Concepts, Principles, &
Practices of Ethical Standards. Fastbooks Educational Supply, 2017.
Cortez, Franz Giuseppe F. Business Ethics and Social Responsibility. Vibal, 2016.

Websites

“Digital Marketing in the Philippines.” " Digital Marketing in the PhilippinesiConcept

Global Advertising Inc., iconcept.com.ph/article/digital-marketing-in-the-
philippines/.

“What Is Bookkeeping And Why Is It Important?” Beginner, www.beginner-

bookkeeping.com/what-is-bookkeeping.html.

Farlex Financial Dictionary. S.v. "Business Practice." Retrieved January 3 2021

Alqadri, Ari. Person Wearing Watch Near the Newspaper, 10 June 2018,
www.pexels.com/photo/accessory-close-up-conceptual-focus-1151440/.

Piacquadio, Andrea. Smiling Formal Male with Laptop Chatting via Phone, 1 Feb.
2018, www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-formal-male-with-laptop-chatting-via-
phone-3760263/.