The Importance of Ethics in Staffing & How Ethical Staffing Practice is established
Introduction
Considering that staffing is concerned with acquirement, placement and retaining of an enterprise’s employees, ethics does play a role in staffing. These paper attempts to look at the relevance of ethics in staffing and how it is met in an organization. When an organization takes steps to add staff to it, it is meant to be done on the basis of a set code of ethics for the best to be acquired. This similarly goes for as the staff continues undertaking their duties in an organization (Judge, May 23, 2011). Staff is supposed to apply ethics in respect to their personal situations and prevailing tasks. Taking into consideration its importance, going against it could amount to being disciplined, composing relieving of duties.
Ethics in business began where optimization of profit was attributed as the only purpose of the organization. There lacked concern for non-economic values, be it for individuals who worked with the business or enterprise which allowed it to thrive. It is in the 80’s and 90’s that the academics of organizations began showing attention for ethics. In the present time, almost all organizations have important consideration for responsibilities to the community nature. For instance IBM has taken up the conservation of the environment as its objective ton being responsible to the environment. Ethics brings about the purpose of existence of a business in several others. Debate is however rife as to the objective of ethics with most arguing that it is employed in acquiring benefit in competition and bringing about a fair image to the clients and partners, the benefit being transparency and accountability.
In all of the problems faced by an organization, ethics matters are the most complicated to manage or resolve. Concerns come about in employment, salary and benefits, industrial dealings and health and wealth being.
Ethics in practice is an attribute that every staff in an organization, contrast being in the values and perspectives which make it harder for us to acquire (Ethics Resource Centre, 2010). Moreover, the only issue lies in the manner through which ethics is impacted into an employee. Ethics in an organization is an integral part of every human and so is the employee. Ethics has acquired significant impact on staff of organizations in varied ways. This has led to growth and success in varied ways.
Importance of Ethics in Staffing
Ethics brings about knowledge, evaluating the truth and eliminating the possibility of mistakes while assessing any situation. It is hence that an employee with ethics is much more efficient in doing with mistakes and barring against the wrong creation or misrepresenting of any information accorded to them. Considering that employees are normally called upon to work as a team towards attaining a set goal, they encouraged to cooperate with one another. Undertaking any work for an organization calls upon one to be relating well with one another with the people of varied levels as well as fields. It is hence through this that a wide range of values would be advanced and impacted onto other individuals, for instance trust, being accountable, respectful and fair. This adds advantage and efficiency in better working situations, advancement and success in response.
Organizations are managed by human beings with feelings and are bound to react in both good and bad situations. Ethics does come into play in helping in such situations. When one has a correct aspect of thinking he or she would be able to handle individuals in the right way. The lack of favorable method and aspect would only bring about undesirable feelings hence having a great impact on our interaction with individuals similarly. Ethics that is established on trust does much in handling each and everyone in the preferable manner. Consequently, ethics which is passed onto others brings about the right mode of working together. Ethics in the staff of an organization similarly impacts on the public. Through application of the right form of ethical code of behavior, they lead to creating a better and rigid support. A good example is that people are able to invest in the company’s undertakings if they are assured quality and honesty of the project. On the other hand if the public is not convinced of the quality and development of a company, they would to be willing to support and may search for another project which meets their desires.
An organization which is composed of staff with moral values acquires respect even from areas that have no information on the working and operation of an enterprise (Management of Study Guide, 2012 ; I love India, 2012). A good example is Infosys which is attributed to be an organization with better corporate authority and social responsibility efforts. This view is acquired by those who have no clue of the operations of Infosys. Ethics in staff is known to bring about better decision making. An individual is judged on the basis of the decision that he or she has made during the occurrence of life. This is similarly applicable to organizations and staff, decisions is led by values. For instance organizations which do not value competition are bent on being violent in operations desired to do away with its challengers and meet a lone running in market.
Ethics in the staff has the benefit of bringing about moral and social values. It is hence that values for instance social responsibility, human rights, abiding with the law and health and safety are upheld through appropriate ethics. Any fault in our values will limit our capacity to acquire success in our efforts. For instance an individual who formulates information in a clinical test may harm the patient. Organizations which are directed by ethics and values are able to acquire more revenue in the long term, however in the short run may be unable to find money (Online Ethics Centre, 2012). Tata group, which is a massive company located in India, was about to decline which later reversed, it similarly failed to meet success though it is steadily catching up.
An enterprise which is controlled by its values and ethics is respected by its staff too. It is through ethics that the staff and the management team are brought together. This does much in bring into line the behaviors in the organization in meeting one aim. It is consequent several benefits are bound to be acquired in impacting ethics to staffing.
It hence dawns on an organization that ethical standards are vital in staffing. An organization cannot bring in staff without setting a benchmark for how they are supposed or expected to behave. Considering the importance of staffing, ethics has to go hand in hand with it.
How Ethical Staffing Practice is established
When an organization recruits new employees to an organization there are several practices that have to be put in place for acquisition of ethics. There are several things that have to be put in place when acquiring staff. First of all, the organization has to make it clear what the tasks and responsibilities would be (Heneman & Judge, 2009). This is in terms of considerations in terms of the safety and wellbeing of the employees. There similarly should be principles of good practice in connection between the employees with the duty set to be undertaken.
In the retention and placement of employees, the staff will be accorded duties under which they would be expected to deliver. Staff should not misuse any information offered to them. In terms of data integrity, production and faking of information are adverse forms of misconduct. It left upon the employee to avoid make wrong statements or removal that would end up changing the whole task. The employee is supposed to maintain a clear and comprehensive record of information acquired. Any task that is accorded to the staff has to have enough information to allow for analysis. The intentional destruction of information or not keeping and production of records backing a specific task would be termed to as evidence of lack of ethics (Ethics Guide Book, 2009; OFFICE OF RESEARCH INTEGRITY, March 2011). Record keeping is a good practice which offers an exact concurrent account of observation that is lasting reference for the organization and staff who may not recall what took place. A correct record of information similarly acts as a way to apply the recorded information in another instance. Moreover, the allocation of information with fellow staff may disapprove any calls of fabrication of information.
Each and every organization has a set of rules and regulations which are supposed to be adhered to by all. When an organization undertakes staffing, the employees are meant to follow accordingly the laws and regulations used by it and to retain the utmost level of ethical conduct when undertaking his or her business. This similarly applies to their relation with clients and competitors. The management is similarly meant to set a good practice for the staff to follow. When staffing, all the applicants to an organization and staff are meant to be handled with dignity and respect irrespective of their gender and origin. Similarly the same opportunity of getting employed should be accorded to all based on varied factors; the qualification for that opportunity being offered.
In the event the organization undertakes it promotion for the purpose of advancing the business, maximum levels of integrity should be maintained in promotion and in allocation of the most competent staff to handle the client’s issues. The clients would hence be accorded the best service possible in their attempt to meet their needs (Discover Staffing, 2001). Its impact would be both for the company and client; for the company there would be an increase in revenue and loyalty, while the client would be able to satisfy his or her needs appropriately. In the event an organization undertakes staffing, it has to take into consideration the experience and qualification of the persons applying for the job as well as its staff as the organization finds suiting or in accordance with the law. This is the bench mark for success in the operation of the business.
It is a proper ethical practice for an organization to clarify to the staff being tasked with a duty for the company of his or her salary, related benefits and period of time needed for work. Moreover, there is expected to be timely payment of salary and benefits in relation to the terms of the person’s employment and applied legal requirements. This would be beneficial to the staff, client and organization in having a good relation and attainment of success. The organization is similarly supposed to put in place certain instances of employer obligations which compose the payment of social security, the unemployment insurance tax and employee compensation. Moreover, the staff should be able to know that the organization is mandated to undertake such obligations.
It is an ethical practice that the safety of an organization’s staff is taken into consideration when undertaking his or her duties. The staff should be accorded safe work stations; they should be able to comprehend the form of work which the client requires and may perform the work with no harm to him or others. Moreover, they should be offered safety training before being offered any duty. The failure to meet this practice would result to harm for both the customer as well as the organization in its operations. An ethically upright practice for an organization involves quick sorting out the queries, issues or grievances in terms of their work surrounding, discrimination or issues on terms and nature of employment. This would work towards alleviating any negative issues hindering the success rate of the employee.
Employees who are accorded an opportunity to work in an organization based on their competent qualifications are supposed to undertake their work in an efficient manner so that their work would not be put to question. If there is doubt concerning any staff, the issue is supposed to be raised in the earliest time possible. It is in this instance that conscious and integrity of the staff is depended on so as to evade impropriety. The staff should not get involved in any business operation for the organization which is bound to conflict with the organization’s interest with the personal interest (CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, November 16, 2004). Such interest may include having family relations with the concerned party or has a say in the business company being involved.
The staff undertaking operations is bound by the ethics of an organization in not accepting gifts and business courtesies. Employees tasked with working for an organization are supposed to not acquire any form of gift only in instances of promotion. Money of any amount issued to an employee contravenes the terms of ethics and is only accepted if allowed by the management. The use of one’s position to acquire gifts is not allowed and would be deemed as unethical and misuse of power. This similarly goes for soliciting meals and entertainment that are meant to influence the business decision of a company staff. Employees are supposed to get involved in meals and entertainment which are organized by the company.
Every employee is supposed to go on to safeguard and maintain the assets or resources, consuming them stringently in relation with polices acquired by the organization. It is through this that any act that would result to a loss of public confidence is not allowed; acts that may show any form of preferential treatment to any person or section, the lack of impartiality of deed and making or application of an organizational decision externally to an organization’s rules and processes. This involves the application of confidential and private information to others who are not supposed to have access to it.
In the event the staff wants to end his employment period with a company, he or she should offer information to the organization she or he is working with. This is vital so that the organization may be able to keep itself abreast of the operations taking place. On the part of the organization, this information will be kept confidential till the time the organization sees it fit to avail it.
Conclusion
Staffing and organization is a vital step that calls for ethics and varied values to be put in place so as to meet success in its operations. Ethical staffing is necessary for every organization in creating better image to the customer. Ethical practice may not be achieved unless the organization consisting of the top office and the staff work together so as to meet a certain set objective and compete effectively with its competitors.
Bibliography
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Heneman, H., & Judge, T. A. (2009). Staffing Models and Strategy. Staffing Organizations.
I love India. (2012). Importance of Ethics. Life Style.
OFFICE OF RESEARCH INTEGRITY, O. O. (March 2011). GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH.
Judge, T. &. (May 23, 2011). Staffing Organization 7th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Management of Study Guide. (2012). Importance of Ethics. Organizational Behavior.
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