Ethics in HRM
A large area of human relations management is
concerned with various ethical issues, both on the
part of upper–level management in its business
decisions and lower–level management in the
treatment of individual employees. In making
decisions the human resource manager should
consider alternative solutions to the needs of the
business as well as the effects the decisions will
have on the lives of the employees. Frequently a
human resource manager will be given instructions
from higher level management to take action which
will be oppressive to the employees and the
manager must either present arguments to higher
management for alternate solutions which will have
less impact on the employee morale or determine
the best method for implementing the instructions
which have been given.
Ethical Behavior at Work
What Shapes Ethical Behavior at Work?
Individual factors
Organizational factors
The boss’s influence
Ethics policies and codes
The organization’s culture
Unethical business environments can:
De-motivate individuals
Make good employees leave the company
Attract unethical employees
Lead to the lack of trust by the employees for the company
HR Ethics Activities (cont’d)
Staffing and selection
Fostering the perception of fairness in the processes of recruitment
and hiring of people.
Formal procedures
Interpersonal treatment
Providing explanation
Training
How to recognize ethical dilemmas.
How to use ethical frameworks (such as codes of conduct) to
resolve problems.
How to use HR functions (such as interviews and disciplinary
practices) in ethical ways.
Performance appraisal
Appraisals that make it clear the company adheres to high
ethical standards by measuring and rewarding employees
who follow those standards.
Reward and disciplinary systems
HR Ethics Activities (cont’d)
The organization swiftly and harshly punishes unethical
conduct.
Workplace aggression and violence
Taking care that HR actions do not foster perceptions of
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