adminadvantage for firms in the market. However, for business ethics training to have meaningful results, it must take place at all levels of staff in the organisation.
From senior executives to employees, staff must secure ethics skills that match their different levels of responsibility.
Supervisors at shopfloor level require additional training to reflect their roles and responsibilities as the front persons who deal with employees on a daily basis.
This week’s instalment lists the benefits of business ethics training in organisations;
l It provides strategic mileage, equipping staff with the skills, knowledge and understanding to anticipate ethical challenges, recognise ethical dilemmas, and make ethically sound decisions.
l Ethics training provides the framework for thinking about ethical issues in the context of employees’ unique jobs and work environments. Organisations have a responsibility to impart ethics skills to staff so that they recognise ethics risks in the workplace and deal with them as they come.
l Through training employees are able to focus on professional conduct, personal responsibility, shared commitment to organisational goals and build work teams.
l It helps employees avoid committing workplace misconduct and empowers employees to make sound ethical decisions that help to reduce reputational risks and costs associated with unethical behaviour. Through ethics training, employees are able to use good judgment in addressing issues of responsible business conduct.
l Enables employees to focus on organisational core values, goals, mission, and vision and enhances ethical awareness of employees and will uncover ethical issues and concerns that relate to their needs as well as those of the organisation.
l It helps employees recognise ethical matters, be able to dialogue on ethical issues, and engage in ethical decision-making. Employees are able to have the confidence, and courage to make the right decisions and choices.
l Enables employees understand how business ethics relates to strategic issues in the organisation.
l Provides considerable feedback to managers on the ways in which the company’s ethics thrust is being received by staff.
l Reinforces an enterprise-wide sense of responsibility where issues such as customer service, quality management, fair dealing with suppliers and service providers, and proper relationships with all stakeholders become an integral element of the training programme.
l It provides an immediate solution to containing corporate damages caused by unethical business conduct and brings about positive economic benefits in the long term.
Bradwell Mhonderwa is an Ethics Coach and Trainer with the Business Ethics Centre. Send feedback to [email protected],or visit www.businessethicscentre.co.zw, or call 0772 913 875.
Online Reporter