Ethics in workplace

Work ethics is an invisible employee behavior,

noticeable by its absence.
 “What to do?
My producer is a bully and hiring

like-minded people.
Ethics is becoming a question in
my organization.”

Mike,
Graphic Designer
 “I find few employees of my
organization, disclosing
confidential client data to our
competitors.”

Stella,
HR, Executive
 “Should the performance
feedback session follow a
corrective or punitive
approach?”

Stephany,
HR, Executive
All these are issues addressing common workplace ethics.
Ethical Problems are inevitable in all levels of business.
Ethics is something you either have or you don’t have.
Ethics is something that is learned and chosen
throughout one's life.
 In the work place the senior management have a
responsibility to set an example that reflect the
company expectations.

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Ethics is two- way!
 Employees, having strong
ethics in personal and
professional life, need no
explanation, unlike those
employees for whom work
ethics is a growing
problem.
By the time employees hit the workforce, can they be
taught things like ethics - or is it too late?
 Training on workplace ethics is imperative.

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Ethics help a lot in effective productivity as well as a great
balance of responsibilities in your life on personal &
professional front.
Common Workplace Ethics
 Responsibility

Punctuality
 Integrity & Loyalty

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Teamwork

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Professionalism

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How do you train your employees to be ethical to one and
all, whether in the professional realm or personal?

•
A written code of conduct
•
Define ethics to be maintained in an organization.
•
Each employee should have one, including new hires.
 Training programs

•
Organizations should focus on training in ethics at the
workplace.
•
A few members from the top level management can lead the
ethics training programs.

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Performance feedback sessions should be
corrective in nature.
Good Behavior should be
acknowledged.
 Role model
•
Seniors behaving in a morally upright manner will set an
example for employees to follow.
Here are a few thoughts to get the ball rolling.

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Clearly, consistently, and frequently communicate the
desired behaviors and why they are important to the
organization.
Model these behaviors as a leader
Hold people accountable for demonstrating these
behaviors on an escalating path
 Ethics depends on situation.

In spite of training sessions on ethics, enforcement

is ultimately left to the individual.
 And finally, it is essential to communicate ethical values
to employees as you are giving them the authority to
take appropriate ethical decision
in any given situations.

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Creating a safe
workplace
What is your
involvement
with OH&S?
Communication
Care
Consultation
Providing and maintaining
safe machines and
systems of work
for supported
How can we employees
achieve this in
our workplace?
Organising the safe use of
dangerous goods and
hazardous chemicals

How can we
achieve this in
our workplace?
Controlling hazards such as
dust, noise and fumes

How can we
achieve this in
our workplace?
Providing hygiene facilities
such as toilets and
change rooms
How can we
achieve this in
our workplace?
Hygienic work practices
Providing information on
hazards to ensure all
supported employees have
a clear understanding
How can we
achieve this in
our workplace?
Providing instruction, training
and supervision to
supported employees
How can we achieve
this in
our workplace?
Monitoring your work area and

employee health
How can we
achieve this in
our workplace?
Maintaining information
and records on health
and safety
How can we achieve this in
our workplace?
Supporting an injured
supported employee’s
return to work
How can we
achieve this in
our workplace?
Demonstrating
safe work
practices
Safe work practices and methods
Like all employees, supported employees must
use safe work practices and methods.
As support staff, your role is to assist supported
employees to use safe work practices and
methods.

How do you achieve this?

 Case study
Rona enjoys working on the assembly line.
However, she seems to repeatedly forget the
instructions you have given her about safe
lifting practices.

What are some techniques you would use

to help Rona work more safely?
Safety clothing and equipment
Like all employees, supported employees
must use safety clothing and equipment
(PPE).
As support staff, your role is to assist
supported employees to use safety clothing
and PPE.

How can you do this?

 Case study
Daniel is required to wear ear-plugs when he works near loud
machinery. He is very good at inserting the ear-plugs correctly,
but you have noticed that he sometimes arrives at work
wearing his ear-plugs. You suspect he is not removing them
when he finishes work.

How would you address this issue?

 Misusing equipment
Like all employees, supported employees must not
interfere with or misuse equipment.
As support staff, your role is to assist supported
employees not to interfere with or misuse equipment.

How can you do this?

Case study
Nicola frequently leaves her gloves on the
conveyor belt. This causes problems on the
assembly line when they become caught.

What would you do to help solve this problem?

Endangering others
Like all employees, supported employees must
not do anything that may be dangerous to others.
As support staff, your role is to assist supported
employees not to do anything that may be
dangerous to others.

How can you achieve this?

Case study
Milan can’t reach to put the rolls of paper towel
away on the top shelf. Instead of getting the safety
step, he sometimes throws the rolls up onto the
shelf. Yesterday one rolled off and hit Jane who
was walking past carrying a tray of glasses.

How would you address this issue?

Risk management
What are the challenges for you
when identifying OH&S risks for
supported employees in your
organisation?
Handling dangerous goods
What are the issues you
need to address when
training supported
employees to handle
dangerous goods?
Manual handling
What are some
effective methods
for demonstrating
to supported
employees how
to lift correctly?
Movement
What are the rules
for our workplace?
Are there particular
issues with assisting
supported
employees to
follow them?
Soft tissue and overuse injuries
due to repetitive work
How is the risk of these type of injuries
identified in our organisation?

Are there particular issues we should

consider for supported employees?
Illegal drugs and alcohol
Are drugs and alcohol an issue when
working with supported employees?
Medication
What are the issues around
medication management for
supported employees in our
workplace?
Hazard
identification
and emergencies
What is a hazard in our
workplace?
Identifying and reporting
hazards
There are several ways to identify hazards in the
workplace, including:

• Inspections and audits

• Hazard reports
• Job analysis
• Health monitoring data
• Material safety data sheets
• Workplace environment monitoring data
Emergencies

In the case of an accident or

emergency, it is important to know
where the emergency equipment is
and what to do.
Conclusion

Reporting accidents and

emergencies

Are you aware of the workplace

emergency and accident procedures?
What are your responsibilities?
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Thank you
 Thank you.

11-04-12