Ethics and Etiquette - Do You Really Know the Difference?

Just as the word 'ethics' has a different definition from the word 'etiquette,' there is a vast difference between business ethics and business etiquette. There are even instances where you must forgo etiquette in order to remain ethical in business practices.

Business ethics is a code or a set of standards that a business adheres to. This code essentially states what is considered ethical, and what is considered unethical in terms of how the business is conducted in relation to what is best for human beings, the community, the environment, and so on. Business etiquette, on the other hand, is essentially conducting business affairs in a polite manner. It can be compared, in some ways, to dinner table etiquette.

For example, if an employee is rude to a customer, this is not unethical, but it is considered poor etiquette. It may even be against the company's policy that relates to how employees interact with customers. One can have perfect etiquette and extremely poor ethics.

Ethics and Etiquette - Do You Really Know the Difference?

Another example of this is an attorney who has beautiful manners. In fact, his overall social and business etiquette is so perfect that he fits in well at any function, and performs well in any situation. However, if he is billing his clients for hours that he did not actually work, he is not using ethical business practices.

So, what must you do when you face a choice between etiquette and ethics? Above all else, choose to honor the code of ethics first, but have enough etiquette to try to smooth the situation over at the same time. Unfortunately, this doesn't always work out, and one must choose ethics and let the etiquette cards fall where they may.

Have you ever seen the movie, 'Jerry McGuire?' This is a movie about a sports agent. He realizes, after a few nights of not getting any sleep because his conscience was plaguing him that the sports agent industry, as a whole, was rarely considering what was best for the athletes that they represented beyond the amount of money and benefits that they could negotiate for them, which in turn raised their own profits. He wrote a report about how this should be changed, and put it in the boxes of all of the sports agents at a convention.

In this fictional characters situation, ethics met etiquette in a head on collision. What he did was ethical, but not without etiquette. However, it did cost him his job, and there wasn't much etiquette - or ethics - involved in that, mostly on the part of the company that he represented.

Again, there will come a time in your business transactions where you must choose between ethics and etiquette. Remember, however that in most cases, an unethical business decision will have a profound effect for a long time to come, while acting in a manner that is not dictated by good etiquette will usually only result in a few people talking about your poor manners for a short time. When you make an etiquette faux pas, it is usually soon forgotten, and future good etiquette can generally make up for it, but when you make an unethical decision, it can haunt you for the rest of your career.

Ethics and Etiquette - Do You Really Know the Difference?
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Define Your Position: Values, Ethics & Leadership

Some call it wearing one’s heart on the sleeve; others call it wearing their emotions. If the discussion is of values and ethics, leaders must wear them openly, constantly encouraging, mentoring, and coaching others to operate within values-based and ethical standards the leader expresses. Values and ethics exist in a philosophical arena and often mistaken as the same. Values explain that who you are is what you were when. Ethics demonstrates values through behavior. This paper takes the position that values exist on a higher plane than ethics.

Dr. Gyertson6 shares an insight on value and ethic sources. He says throughout human development, there are socio-cultural influences in family and tribe. In the time of prehistory, these values meant survival and extended family. Exploring present value development offers a very different view of family and tribe. Family is nuclear now and connection to extended family is often limited to the July Family Picnic. Tribe, community, is multifaceted people have small neighborhood tribes, work tribes, social tribes, and others. They move among tribes and behave differently in different settings. While core values remain, behaviors shifts when moving among groups. Interacting in work groups is an example. Consider a group of university administrators working to satisfy the needs and desires of applicants and students. Administrators work to put applicants and students at ease as they enter classes. Faculty works with students lecturing, and facilitating to grow students knowledge. The student is the same person yet is interacting with the different elements of the university.

Value deals with the worth, utility, moral virtue, aesthetics, and, may be singular or a collective of each. Values are at the core of what a person believes. In June 2006, article in USA Today, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings tells the reporter that players for the ball club hear the value of character and good living from the top of the organization all the way down. In the locker room, one does not see pornographic pictures or magazines. There are sports magazines, racing and car magazines, and prominently seen throughout the locker room are bibles. This ball club believes in Christian values and Christian ethical behavior. A fan tells of not hearing the usual trash talking or player showboating among members of the Rockies. The leadership in the Rockies organization provides evidence of expected behavior in the clubhouse, on the playing field, and among players of other teams. The Rockies are not the "winningest" team in major league baseball; however, they display the near the highest behavioral ethics.

Define Your Position: Values, Ethics & Leadership

Ethics comes from the Greek ethikos, meaning arising from habit. Ethics is a study of living, a study in which we discover things as being right or wrong or true and false based on how we know things. Therefore, ethics is the outward manifestation, the acting out of a belief.

Values versus ethics

Values and ethics do not exist separately from each other. However, they may develop differently over time. A child’s values grow from the values of parents. A child’s ethical behavior develops from observing what parents do. Trust in parents’ grows as a child sees their parents obeying their beliefs (values) through their ethics (what they do) consistently. It is a leader’s responsibility to an organization, workers, and her- and him-self to do no less. Followers of a leader will loose trust quickly if they observe attitudes and behaviors that do not match expressed ethical standards and values.

Values must identify or embody who a leader is. Values are the bases upon which leaders make judgments on what is important. Ethics identifies a leader’s moral compass, the leader’s understanding of good and right. Ethics are a set of moral principles.

Leaders must commit to personal values and organizational values seeking a fit between both. Moreover, leaders must manifest values in a way that leaves the observer fully aware of the leader’s commitment.

A leader studies the community in which an organization exists to know what the community values. Another consideration is the ethical behavior that leaves a leader questioning whether the community acts as it believes. These observations of what a community believes and how it behaves tells a leader the scope of normative order within a community. However, organizational leaders must operate on a higher plane.

A consideration for leader examination when establishing a code of ethics is that ethics and values do not fit a neat categorization into specialty areas. Melissa Ingwersen1 of JPMorgan Chase Bank supports the foundation of ethics at home and school before applying them to business. She says JPMorgan Chase does not want to compromise it banks or bankers by doing business with questionable clients. Therefore, JPMorgan Chase selects clients carefully attempting to maintain their reputation and the reputation of their clients.

What does the above example tell us about values and ethics in an organization? For Chase Bank, the value is honesty, integrity, and character building of clients by selecting clients who have similar values as the bank. Chase Bank does not compromise their core values for the sake of gaining business. Another view of this provided by Brenda Joyner, et al2, is a sense of corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR includes such elements as economic, legal, discretionary activities and ethics. She says these exist within what are the values of the public.

Working standard - values and ethics

Stated above, ethics is the outward display of values. In some organizations, leaders are content to accept the ethic of responsibility to shareholders. Although this was the generally accepted behavior in economic boom years, most long-life businesses recognize that the bottom line is not an ethically symbolic way to engage.

Joyner, et al, relate the work of Paine (1994). In this, they attempt to put a value on following the letter of the law versus following spirit of the law. While obeying the letter of the law is legally and ethically correct, seeking the higher value to obey the spirit of the law propels a leader to higher trust, reducing cynicism, ultimately adding value to the ethical standard. The ethical standard is a leader and organization’s integrity strategy and values are the core beliefs driving the strategy.

Ray Coye3, writing in 1986 saw the need to differentiate values and ethics. In his view, there are no values for an organization separated from the collective values of leaders and members. He provides a definition of values as, “… serv(ing) as the authorities in the name of which choices are made and action taken.” In greater depth, this 1986 definition is one based on the prevailing attitude toward values and ethics considered correct – at that time (Coye, 1986)

• A value is chosen freely after consideration of alternatives and consequences

• Publicly affirmed, cherished, and prized

• Pattern of action that is consistent and repeated

Conclusion

Values exist at the core of our nature; they are our core belief system. Ethics, our behavior, reveal our values within an operating environment. If we say we cherish (value) our children but behave abusively, value and ethical behavior are incongruent. Within a leadership role, the same is true of our attitude toward workers. Recent history of organizational failure adds to common knowledge of how personal greed over the expressed organizational values ruin business and, worse, the faith workers have in the business and leaders.

Not all organizations are the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, but trends start one person and one organization at a time. Be a trend setter.

Works Cited
1. Nightengale, B. (2006, June 1). Basball’s Rockies seek revival on two levels. USA Today. Retrieved September 20, 2006 from [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/rockies/2006-05-30-rockies-cover_x.htm].
2. Cook, J. R. Interview: Melissa Ingwersen, Central OH President, JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. Ethical Leadership, Council for Ethics in Economics (1,1)
3. Joyner, B. E., Payne, D. & Raiborn, C. A. (2002, April). Building values, business ethics and corporate social responsibility into the developing organization. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship(7,1), pg. 113.
4. Coye, R. (1986, February) Individual Values and Business Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics (5,1), pg. 45.
5. Watson, S. (2006). Personal Values in Business: How successful businesses underpin their success with clear values. Retrieved September 20, 2006 from [http://www.summitconsultants.co.uk/news-detail.asp?fldNewsArticles_ID=126].
6. Gyertson, D. J. (2006). Ethical Frameworks. Presentation at Regent University DSL Residency September 13 to 22, 2006

Define Your Position: Values, Ethics & Leadership
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Are Ethics Important For Professional Accountants?

Ethics in professional accountancy are of utmost importance. Now as the business and financial world is adopting international accounting and auditing standards, it is becoming all the more necessary to adhere to certain Code of Ethics prescribed by international and national accountancy bodies. Before arguing in favour of the topic, let's have a look at some basic concepts:

Profession

A profession is an occupation that requires extensive training and the study and mastery of specialized knowledge, and usually has a professional association, ethical code and process of certification or licensing; for example engineering, medicine, social work, teaching, law, finance, the military, nursing and Accountancy etc. Classically there were only three professions: military, medicine and law. Each of these professions holds to a specific code of ethics and members are almost universally required to swear some form of oath to uphold those ethics, therefore 'professing' to a higher standard of accountability. Each of these professions also provides and requires extensive training in the meaning, value and importance of its particular oath in practice of that profession.

Are Ethics Important For Professional Accountants?

Accountant

Practitioner of Accountancy is known as Accountant. Qualified Accountant, Accountant, Professional Accountant or Accountancy Practitioner is a legally certified accountancy and financial expert. Accountants not only work in public practice but many of them are working within private corporations, in financial industry and in various government bodies. Accountancy (profession) or accounting (methodology) is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities, lenders and other stakeholders and decision makers to make resource allocation and policy making decisions.

Like many other professions there are many professional bodies for accountants throughout the world. Some of them are legally recognized in their jurisdictions such as British qualified accountants including Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA or FCCA), Chartered Accountant (CA, ACA or FCA), Canadian qualified accountants such as Chartered Accountant and Certified General Accountants (CA or CGA) and American qualified Accountants such as Certified Public Accountants (CPA) etc. Some other statutory and non-statutory accountancy qualifications are Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Associated Cost and Management Accountant (ACMA), Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) etc.

In Pakistan, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan is the sole professional and accountancy body with the right to award the Chartered Accountant designation. ICAP is the member of IFAC (International Federation of Accountants, IASB (International Accounting Standards Board), Confederation of Asian & Pacific Accountants (CAPA) and South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA). The members of ICAP have reached to 4,089 as of March 1, 2007 data.

Role of Professional Accountants:

Accountants are independent business advisors. Accountants can offer an extensive range of services. Accountants can be registered auditors, can set up client's accounting systems, can be an advisor on tax planning, or a detector of frauds and embezzlements, can do budgeting and financial statement analysis, advise clients on financing decisions, provide specialist knowledge and can help maintaining an ethical environment.

After discussing the basic concepts and role of professional accountants we are in a better position to ponder on what professional ethics is and why it is important in the field of accountancy.

Definition of Ethics

The word 'Ethics' is derived from the Ancient Greek word ethikos; means customs and habits. A major branch of philosophy which is the study of values and customs of a person or group and covers the analysis and employment of concepts such as right and wrong, good and evil and do's and don'ts.

Code of Ethics:

In the context of a code adopted by a profession or by a governmental organization to regulate that profession, an ethical code may be styled as a code of professional responsibility, which may dispense with difficult issues of what behaviour is 'ethical'. A code of ethics is often a formal statement of the organization's values on certain ethical and social issues relating to the profession and practice of the professional knowledge. This also includes the principles and procedures for specific ethical situations.

Ethics in Professional Accountancy:

The general ethical standards of society apply to people in professions such as medicine, law, nursing and accountancy etc just as much as to anyone else. However society places even higher expectations on professionals. People need to have confidence in the quality of the complex services provided by professionals

Ethics in accountancy profession are invaluable to accounting professionals and to those who rely on their services. Stakeholders including clients, credit grantors, governments, taxation authorities, employees, investors, the business and financial community etc perceive them as highly competent, reliable, objective and neutral people. Professional accountants therefore, must not only be well qualified but also possess a high degree of professional integrity. Because of these high expectations, professionals have adopted codes of ethics; also known as codes of professional conduct. These ethical codes call for their members to maintain a level of self-discipline that goes beyond the requirements of laws and regulations. Each of the major professional association for accountants has a code of ethics.

As mentioned earlier, professional accountants can be of two types. One who work in firms or independently run those firms that provide accounting, auditing and other advisory services to clients; these are called public practitioners. Others are those who are employees of organizations and may serve as internal auditors, management accountants, financial managers and financial analysts. Regardless of the role of accountants, they are adhered to code of ethics which are applied to their professional conduct although there are some special provisions for those in public practice [Reference: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants-International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)].

International Federation of Accountants-IFAC:

The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is a federation of all accountancy bodies throughout the world. All the major international and national associations like ACCA, AICPA, ICMA, ICAP, IASB etc are all its member organizations. The mission of IFAC, as set out in its constitution, is "the worldwide development and enhancement of an accountancy profession with harmonized standards, able to provide services of consistently high quality in the public interest" [Ref: Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants-IFAC]. In pursuing this mission, the IFAC Board has established the IFAC Ethics Committee to develop and issue, under its own authority, high quality ethical standards and other pronouncements for professional accountants for use around the world. The Code of Ethics establishes ethical requirements for professional accountants. A member body or firm may not apply less stringent standards than those stated in this Code.

The objective of setting this code of conduct is to harmonize these standards and practices on a global perspective. Public can only trust these highly professionals when it is made mandatory to observe and follow strict regulations and codes throughout the world. A professional accountant is required to comply with the following fundamental principles mentioned in this Code of Ethics:[Ref: Section 100.4 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants]

· Integrity: A professional accountant should be honest and straightforward in all professional and business relationship.

· Objectivity: A professional accountant should not allow bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others to override professional or business judgments.

· Professional Competence & Due Care: A professional accountant has a continuing duty to maintain professional knowledge and skills at the level required to ensure that a client or employer receives competent professional service. A professional accountant should act diligently and in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards when providing professional services.

· Confidentiality: A professional accountant should respect the confidentiality of information acquired as a result of professional and business relationships and should not disclose nay such information to third parties without proper and specific authority unless there is a legal or professional right or duty to disclose. This information should not be used for personal advantage by professional accountant.

· Professional Behaviour: A professional accountant should comply with relevant laws and regulations and should avoid any action that discredits the profession.

Code of Ethics defined in 'Members Handbook' for members of ICAP Pakistan is in conformity with:

· IFAC Code of Ethics and International Auditing Standards

· International Accounting Standards

· The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan - ICAP

· Relevant legislation

[Ref: Members Handbook-ICAP]

This Code of Ethics has discussed in detail the role of Chartered Accountants in given situations. For example there are clear directives on prohibition of acceptance of gifts, long association with clients, advertising of firm's name exceeding prescribed limits, holding client's monies for no sound reason, disclosure of client's records (except ones that are allowed), acceptance of fees offered by client which is less than that prevailing in market etc.

After discussing in detail the importance of ethics in accounting profession, we are to conclude the topic with this final note that accountancy as a profession is acceptable and relied upon only when ability to exercise professional judgment based on a foundation of ethics; broad but deep technical excellence and strategic awareness are exercised by a professional accountant. Only then general public can trust the integrity of this profession.

Are Ethics Important For Professional Accountants?
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The Author is an ACCA student and is working for United Nations Population Fund

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Basics Of Ethics And Morals

Throughout history, man has always struggled with the issue of right and wrong and ethics and justice. According to the dictionary, ethics is defined as "the study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by the individual in his relationship with others". In simple terms, ethics provides the evaluation mechanisms and theories, based on which a particular action is adjudged as right or wrong, or as good deed or bad deed. It tries to answer the questions "why is this good?" if something is judged as good or right and "why is this bad?" if something is judged as bad or wrong.

Knowing about ethics does not mean that one will always end up doing the morally correct thing. However, it makes you more capable of explaining your actions -- like although you knew that this was wrong, you were forced to do it owing to the circumstances.

The moral absolutism approach presumes the existence of eternal moral values and principles that are applicable at all times and at all places and circumstances. It considers that the moral quality of the action or behavior lies on the quality of the act itself (which means that something which is right is always right and something which is wrong is always wrong) irrespective of the circumstances that cause the act or the consequences that result from the act.

Basics Of Ethics And Morals

The ethical relativism approach presumes that moral values and principles are not right or wrong, but can vary with different circumstances -- moral views can vary depending on how different cultures or individuals perceive a particular action or behavior. It is a very flexible approach and considers that the moral quality of the action or behavior is based on the circumstances that cause the act or the consequences that result from the act rather than the actual act itself. For instance, an action is adjudged as right if it proves to be highly beneficial to a large number of people.

Basics Of Ethics And Morals
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What Is the Difference Between Morality and Ethics?

What is the question?

Both ethics and morality assist is in answering the question: What should I do?

We are faced with this question all the time. Too often we make important decisions without giving enough time or process to reaching the best answer. Why not? Often we simply don't know how to make such decisions. Sometimes we ignore them and hope they will go away, sometimes we follow the advice of others, sometimes we just guess.

What Is the Difference Between Morality and Ethics?

If we wish to be responsible for our own future and our own decisions we should spend a little time thinking and trying to make a good decision, a better decision than simply choosing the easiest answer.

So, ethics and morality assist us in answering the question: What should I do?

Do they provide the same answer? No.

Which is the better approach and why?

What is the difference between morality and ethics?

Many of us confuse ethics and morality, many people use them interchangeably. But they are very, very different, related but different. The difference is crucial when making important decisions, even deciding whether you are facing a moral dilemma or an ethical dilemma. Important when discussing such popular topics as religion, sexuality, good and bad, right or wrong. So, take a few minutes now to better understand the difference between morality and ethics.

Please, don't refer to the dictionary. Dictionaries attempt to capture popular usage and much of popular usage of ethics and morality is very blurred. Here I can show you how to use each word precisely, and make these words as sharp tools to cut through some pretty complicated ideas.

Morality

Morality is a set of rules or guidelines by which we behave. Simple? Yes, very simple but the implications are very important.

Morals answer problems we face in life. Morals are written down; they're defined answers to defined problems. Examples that come to mind are: Stealing is immoral. Adultery is immoral. Killing another person is immoral. Abortion is immoral. Homosexuality is immoral. Burning the Christian Bible is immoral.

Now you must appreciate that someone must decide upon these rules or guidelines. In the case of the Bible's Ten Commandments that were handed down from the Mount thousands of years ago, these rules were spoken and written by the Christian God and then possibly transcribed and interpreted by Moses. As a general rule, morality is determined by others and followed by people who share certain values.

The Ten Commandments were a set of ten rules which defined the behaviour of a group of people many years ago. The rules were effective in that they devolved the Ten Commandments into practical laws and a social structure which defined a people. They provided stability and provided the basis for an ongoing identity and development.

The fact that morality provides stability is a very important and powerful aspect of morality. When the environment changes, when the old leaders and mentors die, morality enables their values, their rules to continue. So people have stability. A change in leadership does not mean everyone must start again. People feel and are more secure when things are stable. Change and uncertainty are somewhat scary. Morality provides a basis for a comforting stability.

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife" is my recall of (part of) one of the Ten Commandments. Most people would agree that it is not good to try to seduce your neighbour's wife (which may be the result if you desire her enough). Even today it would result in some pretty nasty outcomes if everyone went around seducing each other's wife right, left and centre. It could damage the society substantially. So that is a pretty useful rule to apply within most societies then and today.

In summary, morality is a set of common values that provide stability for societies and differentiate between societies.

Ethics

Ethics is an approach, a method of making decisions. Ethics is about deciding to the best of our ability, without fear or favour. It is about being aware of the many aspects of each issue and trying to include them into the decision making process. It is about being aware of the outcome of our decisions, good and bad.

Ethics is about making a well-considered decision and having the moral courage to accept the responsibility of our decision.

Ethics is more a way of approaching decisions, ethics is not a set of values but a way of developing values for a certain situation as it is understood.

Do you see how it differs from morality? Morality is a set of values that are applied, ethics is a way to solve something at we understand it. Ethics can develop morals and as the situation changes ethics can evolve morals.

Let us just return to ethics for now and I shall say more about the strengths and weaknesses of each in more detail further on.

Ethics is a way of reaching an answer in any situation. The aim is to reach the best answer. But all problems are complicated. The more we learn about a problem, the more complicated it becomes.

Let us take a simple example. Common morality states "Thou shall not kill another person." A drug-crazed killer has shot a dozen students in a classroom and is systematically shooting more students, one every ten seconds. You are situated behind him ten meters away. You have a gun and a clear shot at him. Do you shoot and kill him?

Morality says no.

Ethics tells us we should consider the potential outcome of our decision, how it will affect others and how it affects the world we live in. Ethics tells us to make a decision based upon what we think is right for everything and everyone.

My own take is:

Don't decide for your own benefit, decide for the benefit of others. Do the right thing, the nicest thing. Be aware of the consequences. In part they are our responsibility.Do we kill him? There is no perfect right or wrong answer here We each must make our own decision and live with the outcomes. If we have done so, then the decision was ethical.

Based upon my understanding of the situation, I would shoot to kill because it is in the best interest of the remaining students. It may have a bad outcome for me, but I am less important than the students. I would judge more good would result from my killing him.

This is making an ethical decision.

However, maybe there is something I didn't know. Maybe it was a movie being shot and I for whatever reason, was unaware that everyone was acting. Sounds pretty stupid, but such things happen.

The Problems of Morality and Ethics

Morality provides answers. Morality provides solutions. Morals are right, absolute and certain. We can be confident that if we decide based upon morality, it is a solution and correct based upon the morality. Morals are convenient and easy. Few questions are required, thinking is limited, and we follow the rules. This is a great strength and a weakness. Morality provides good answers to many day to day decisions.

There are so many decisions we need to make each day, we cannot spend hours on each of them. This is where morality is strong. We can follow our morals with a fair degree of confidence because in the past they have provided a good outcome. Morals are convenient and easy.

But things change. How do the Ten Commandments handle the internet? Genetic engineering? Pollution? Nuclear power? Global warming? The Ten Commandments do not have an answer for these questions because the questions did not exist or were not asked at that time.

Clearly decision making must evolve to adapt to current circumstances. But morality is characterised by stability, by absolute rules. What about ethics? Ethics is the domain of changed circumstance. Ethics is fluid and adaptable.

Ethics can show us how to evolve our morals, how to make decisions in new situations.

Ethics is better for the tricky decisions, morality is more efficient for the regular problems we face day to day. But be aware, do not get complacent, morality does not question and we often need to understand and question the reasons behind even simple looking problems before making a decision. Take care using morality, ask yourself is the answer obvious or do I need to understand a little more?

Let us use a simple example. The morality "Thou shall not kill another person" seems straightforward.

Hitler was exterminating the Jews in 1939. Was it ethical to declare war on Germany? Is war moral? See above... which is right, correct or best?

Take a more complex example within the context of war. Imagine aircraft pilots shooting civilians because they looked like so called dangerous insurgents. Such decisions were made ethically in their view, they were making a decision for the best interest of other parties at some risk to themselves. In hindsight they may have been wrong, but the decision can well be called ethical. It could equally be called moral because the pilots were following the rules.

Morality is applying predetermined values (usually developed by others) and designed for different problems, different dilemmas at a different time and then not accepting the responsibility of that decision. "I did it because the rule said so." This in my view is taking the easy option, abrogating responsibility in many cases.

Ethics is applying your values to a problem now and making the best decision possible based upon the available information. Such decisions become your decision and you are responsible for the decision and outcome in part. Ethics is characterised by doubt, unanswered questions and knowing that we can only make our best decisions and that such decisions are not the best for everyone. Every decision has costs and costs are not shared equally. So ethics does not answer the question what is right or wrong, but what is possibly better or worse based upon what is known.

Moral decisions provide certainty, an amount of righteousness. But of course because each society has different morality, each society will make differing moral decisions in some cases. Sometimes this is enough to generate major conflicts despite seemingly almost insignificant differences. The fact that religion is a major factor in conflict demonstrates this. The morality of each religion is different and absolute. Absolute differences are irreconcilable, and generate intolerance.

Ethical decisions provide uncertainty and doubt. Even if societies have differing values, taking an ethical approach permits different solutions and an acceptance that perhaps my decision is not the best for all. This engenders an accepting culture, one which takes a more "live and let live" approach. Doubt is good in that is encourages tolerance.

Ethicists are wracked with doubt. Moralists are absolute in their convictions. Find a smug politician and you have found a moral politician. Find a tormented politician and you have found a more ethical politician.

I will close with another example of where today's society has a moral value which is at odds with ethical decision making.

Euthanasia. Under the same moral code that states we shall not kill, society today demands we maintain the life of aged damaged people who no longer have any desire to live. Our morality demands we keep their hearts beating, their lungs pumping, using all that modern medicine can offer. Ethics asks the question why we should maintain the life in this failing body propped up by technology. What is the good that comes from locking out the grim reaper a little longer? No one wishes to suffer and finally die ever so slowly, causing grief to their loved ones. Yet society forces this morality onto us all.

I ask you the question who gains from this? Look deep into your heart and think for a moment, think ethically. I suspect that some people gain by saying "We did all we could to keep him alive." This is a way of justifying an unethical decision. A way of avoiding criticism and blame. Being ethical is accepting the consequences for making the best decisions.

Remember morality is about abrogating responsibility? The dying person makes their decision and wishes to die. For our own selfish reasons, not for their benefit, someone else decides they must continue to suffer and others must suffer so they can be moral.

Euthanasia is ethical in the vast majority of cases, but it is immoral in most societies today. Politicians are largely being unethical by allowing this to continue. They are acting in their self interest - their ego removes their ethical component from their actions.

So, I hope you now understand the difference between morals and ethics. It won't change the world tomorrow, nor should it, but if perhaps you can just take a little more time to consider important decisions in ethical terms in future then your world will be a better, more tolerant place.

If you want to practice straight away, ask yourself what are the ethical questions associated with smoking, with parenting and junk food, computer games or boxing. What about walking across the road safely on a Don't Walk sign, forcing children to attend classes where they are disruptive in class, smoking a cigarette, working for an alcohol or uranium mining company. What are the ethics of working for a lobby group, being a politician or a vegetarian?

And recall again, there is no absolutely right or wrong answer. There are better or worse answers, yes. But not right or wrong. The best you can do is better understand the issues, the consequences, and who and what is affected before deciding. You cannot make a truly ethically decision until you are on the spot. And each ethical decision will not be perfect nor please everyone, nor will it be valid forever, the answer may change tomorrow, but such decisions will be yours and the best you can make at the time with the information you have.

Remember:

Don't decide for your own benefit, decide for the benefit of others. Do the right thing, the nicest thing. Be aware of the consequences. In part they are our responsibility.Being ethical is tough, very tough. But I know of no better way to make mydecisions. Do you know a better way to make your decisions?

What Is the Difference Between Morality and Ethics?
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The Definition of Ethics - What is Yours?

In just about any dictionary published, the definition of ethics is essentially "a set of principles concerning proper conduct." Unfortunately, for many people, this does not define the word ethics clearly enough for them to be able to operate a business - or live their lives - in an ethical manner. So, what does the word 'ethics' really mean?

The chances are good that you live your life, and operate your business, based on your own moral code. You may do this without even realizing that you have your own moral code - but everyone does. Even the worst people in the world have a moral code that they live by. It comes down to what you are and are not willing to do in order to achieve or obtain that which you want. So much for the definition of ethics, huh.

For example, there are some people in the world who are willing to kill other human beings in order to obtain things that they want, but this is something that you would not even consider. There are those who would not go as far as taking a life to achieve what they want, but would not be opposed to ruining someone else's life. Again, you may not be willing to go that far. There are those who are perfectly willing to cause others pain or inconvenience in an attempt to get what they want, even though that pain or inconvenience would not ruin a life, but again, you may not even be willing to do that if you have a strong moral code.

The Definition of Ethics - What is Yours?

Your moral code is essentially your sense of what is right and what is wrong, or what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. There are those that think that this moral code should be the same for everyone - but it simply cannot be, because we all think differently, and we all have different upbringings, backgrounds, and experiences.

Because we all do have different views, there is a set of basic behaviors that most people adhere to. Some of those behaviors have been made into law. For example, it is not only ethically wrong to kill someone or to steal, but it is also against the law, which means that if you are caught, you must pay the consequences of your actions. You won't just be told that such actions are unethical, or have people look at you with disgust or disappointment - there is an actual price to pay, which in most cases is financial restitution, time in prison, and depending on the crime - or unethical behavior - death in states where the death penalty plays in.

So, as you can see, while there is a standard definition of the word 'ethics' for everyone, your own definition of ethics may be different from others. The key to living an ethical life and running an ethical business is to not do anything that will cause you not to be able to be proud of what you have done, as well as not doing anything that will disappoint the people that matter most to you in the world.

The Definition of Ethics - What is Yours?
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Ethics in Business

Ethics in business is a behavior in which a business is attached to its daily connections with the world. Business ethics at workplace not only applies to the interaction of the business to the world but also to one-on-one dealing with every single customer.

Different businesses have different code of ethics, although for every business it is imperative and necessary to have good ethics in business. Business ethics will examine the ethical principles and moral or ethical problems which will arise from time to time in a business environment.

Business ethics are of both discipline, normative and a descriptive discipline. Normative discipline is for corporate practice and for career specialization and descriptive approaches are taken for academia. One of the aims of business ethics in workplace is to determine the fundamental purposes of a company.

Ethics in Business

The code of business ethics is necessary to define acceptable behaviors, to promote high standard of practice, to provide a scale for members to use self evaluation, to establish a structure for professional behavior and responsibilities, as a medium for occupational identity and occupational maturity. A wide range of business practices and procedures are covered by the code of business ethics. Those who violate the business code ethics are subjected to disciplinary action which also includes termination of the employment.

Business code ethics are in compliance with laws, rules and regulations and the employees should respect the code of business ethics. Most of the companies have formulated internal policies with respect to the ethical conduct of the employees and these policies can be simple catchphrases in a wide and highly generalized language. Sometimes these policies can be more detailed to contain specific requirements and these are also meant to identify the company's or business expectations of the employees and to provide guidance to handle more common ethical problems that may arise in the course of doing a business.

Ethics in Business
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Why is Ethics So Important in Business?

Ethics, according to Bottorff (2004) is defined as: "a body of principles or standards of human conduct that govern the behavior of individuals and groups. Ethics arise not simply from man's creation but from human nature itself making it a natural body of laws from which man's laws follow"(p. 3).

Ethics plays important roles in the organization. Bottorff (2004) gives both good and bad examples of what happens when organizations have positive or negative ethics. Poor quality ethics are described here as "damaging organizational performance" productivity is lowered, group dynamics suffer, communication becomes more elusive and complex and a declining organizational environment is the result.

Good ethics; however, can have positive effects on organizations and their results. Productivity increases, group dynamics and communication increase and risk in the organization, decreases.

Why is Ethics So Important in Business?

Ethics need to be high on the list for organizations because it will lessen total negativity within the organization and uplift and encourage reasoning and performance from both the managers and employees.

Ethics can be understood as relative to the individual because the individual's reputation is on the line, and from this ongoing positive reputation, success and personal satisfaction will be the net results. In the business world of yesterday and today, it is vital to acquire and maintain and a good reputation; for if one's words or handshake is worth nothing, then the final result will be failure, low productivity and negativity.

I believe there can be and already is hope of promoting business ethics in a business culture. Trevino, Nelson (2005) site several reasons that this is true.

First, businesses, economically speaking, need to use "power responsibly or risk losing it." Secondly, businesses have a responsibility, both legally and ethically to stakeholders; this includes justice and stakeholder rights. Lastly, when ethical responsibility and economic responsibility have conflicting agendas, then the corporation has a huge social responsibility challenge that must be met.

Copyright Ann Star 2009

Why is Ethics So Important in Business?
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Ann is a freelance writer/author of more than twenty-five years, with six self-published books and scores of articles to her credit. She loves to write and is currently working on her seventh book, a book dealing with sociopath behavior and its affect on those close to this individual.

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Ethics in Sport

In the highly competitive sports environment we hear more and more about unethical behavior. Sport can have a huge impact on people's lives, creating unity, promoting values and products and community pride. Everyone who participates in sport, athletes, administrators, officials, coaches and supporters, should take personal responsibility for ensuring that the sport is fun and fair for all.

Morals, values and ethics are more than just sayings, rules or laws. They imply a duty or actions that you should take. But they also imply that taking these actions is "right" or "good". Not performing in that way is "wrong" or "bad".

One of the problems of upholding morals and values in sport is that the morals and values of one participant may differ from that of another. It is therefore an obligation of coaches, captains and leaders to define basic sports morals and values that they want their teams to adhere to, and then lead by example.

Ethics in Sport

The most important values in sports ethics are:

o Fairness
o Integrity
o Respect
o Equity

How you feel about others also determines your moral sense. If you value others highly you will be considerate and play with compassion and moral sense. You will consider the effect your actions will have on others and the fun of the game and all it's participants, and will want to do what is right and good. On the other hand, if you feel that opponents are against you, you may lack empathy for their feelings. You will not recognise their value and worth and may not feel compassion for their welfare. Some personality types, especially the defunct, may be empathy challenged, and they may have no or limited capacity for empathy and may be more inclined to play unethically.

Fortunately, human nature is basically good and most people will not try to win the point at the expense of harming or disabling another player.

Here are some basic tenants to follow when playing ethically:

1. Glory can not be owned. You can only taste it for a while, then it is someone else's turn.

2. Appreciate the curve balls that sport sends you. Don't give up after a bad game or season. Treat all curve balls as opportunities to improve and grow.

3. Stay positive and have positive self-talk. Don't beat yourself up about every little mistake.

4. Success in sport can not ensure happiness. Too many athletes assume their success will serve as the foundation for their self-respect rather than their self-respect serving as the foundation for their success.

5. Opponents are not evil. Successful athletes don't waste time and effort attacking another or trying to prove they're better. They don't have enemies and they respect the competition. Lay down your weapons and play in peace.

Ethics in sport is important. It forms a basis for moral behavior in life and communities. You may not be able to win every time, but the way you and your team handle defeat will either gain your respect from other people or will do damage to other people.

Ethics in Sport
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Report Lawyer to the Bar For Ethics Violation - Details of the Process Involved

If you feel your attorney has been unfair with you or your case, you can report him/her to the Bar Association for ethics violation. All the lawyers are required to abide by a certain code of ethics that directs their professional conduct. Although most attorneys hold on to these standards, a Disciplinary Counsel has been appointed by every state to investigate the ethics violations as and when they occur. The counsel not only investigates consumer complaints, but also takes appropriate action against the accused attorney.

Valid Reasons to Report an Attorney

Following are a few valid reasons on the basis of which you can file your complaint:

Report Lawyer to the Bar For Ethics Violation - Details of the Process Involved

1) Misrepresentation of your case in the court
2) Inappropriate billing, missing funds, or other fee disputes
3) Failure of the attorney to return your case documents
4) Failure of the lawyer to maintain your confidentiality
5) Misuse of your property or personal details
6) Conflicting interests
7) Violation of professional ethics by the lawyer
8) Failure to communicate properly

Process of Reporting to the Bar

In order to report an attorney for ethics violation, you are required to file a complaint, clearly stating a valid reason, to the Disciplinary Counsel of the state in which your attorney is licensed. In order to file a complaint, you can choose any one of the following options:

1) Write a detailed letter, stating clearly the lawyer's name, contact details, the case for which the lawyer was hired, and a description of the problem you faced.
2) Fill out all the required details in a general form made available by the Bar Association of the state.
3) Fill your complaint via hotline. However, this facility is available only in a few states.

In all the cases, you would be required to submit valid proof and other documentation along with your letter or form.

How is the Complaint Reviewed?

Once your complaint is filed, it is reviewed by a board of lawyers and non-lawyers. If the complaint is found to be valid and justified, its copy is sent to the attorney in question along with a notice, requesting him/her to respond to the complaint within 10-25 days. After the lawyer responds, you would be given a chance to comment on the response. In case you are not satisfied with the response, you may well request an investigation to be initiated. If you manage to provide enough evidence to prove your claim, the case will remain open until solved. However, if no evidence of ethics violation is found, your case can be dismissed by the board.

Thus, before reporting a lawyer to the Bar for ethics violation, it is better to review your own complaint and collect enough evidence to prove your claim.

Report Lawyer to the Bar For Ethics Violation - Details of the Process Involved
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