An ethical workplace is one that has no discrimination, no harassment, no conflict of interest, good client/customer relations, confidentiality, health and safety regulations, and reporting or whistle-blowing.
Discrimination
Discrimination is when you discriminate another person based on their race, colour, national or ethnic origin, gender, age, religion, marital status, family status, mental or physical disability, pardoned conviction, and sexual orientation. Another form of discrimination is systemic discrimination that occurs when a job expectation or policy appears neutral but is, in fact, discriminatory.
Harassment
Harassment is any unwanted physical or verbal conduct that offends or humiliates a person or interferes with her ability to do a job or obtain a service. Forms of harassment include written or verbal abuse, threats or intimidations, sexually suggestive remarks or gestures, either explicit or indirect, and physical or sexual assault. Workplaces that stop harassment include: establishing a harassment policy, training employees on the policy and procedure for dealing with harassment, and taking disciplinary action against any employee caught harassing another.
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when our judgment or objectivity is compromised by the possibility of personal gain or loss, when our personal interests are directly influencing our decision. A conflict of interest can be real or perceived. It is real when a person allows his decision to be affected by a bribe or when he stands to gain financially by one decision and makes the choice that will benefit him. A perceived conflict occurs when there is reason to believe that a person’s decision might be biased by a personal interest.
Client/Customer Relations
The key qualities for ethical relations between professionals and their clients are respect, honesty and a sincere concern for advancing the client’s best interests. Professionals earn the respect of their clients by being knowledgeable in their fields. Professionals show their respect for clients by being courteous, thorough and timely in their dealings. When selling a product, a salesperson must thoroughly explain it, its function, and any other details. When a service is being sold, it is being important to be clear about the terms of the contract, including the completion date or schedule.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality refers to not disclosing, either intentionally or accidentally, someone else’s personal information. Professionals are given sensitive information on the understanding that it will be kept