Human Resource Management -- Ethical Essay

As between those two pillars, trustworthiness could conceivably encompass fairness, and vice-versa, depending (again) on exactly how broadly one defines each of those pillars. Likewise, both trustworthiness and fairness provide a framework for other values and behaviors in any community that is maximally beneficial to other members of the community (Maxwell, 2007).

Principles vs. Policies Managerial Implementation of Moral Values

Realistically, all business organizations must maintain policies as a practical matter, partly because principles are susceptible to numerous interpretations. However, there is a fundamental difference between policies that are arbitrarily derived and those that are derived from objective principles (Stevens, 2008). Policies that are arbitrary are more likely to result in undesirable outcomes and to interfere with employee morale; policies that are derived from objective principles may not be perfect, but they are more likely to result in positive outcomes in more situations. Moreover, policies can (and should) also include provisions that define recognized exceptions to permit the optimal outcomes where rigid adherence to formal policies might result in negative outcomes much more often (Stevens, 2008).

As a manager charged with implementing a moral compass in an organization, I might deliver a presentation detailing the extent to which literal compliance with policies and laws can leave room for outcomes that are clearly contrary to the intent of those policies and laws. I would stress that policy compliance is required as a practical matter but that the underlying principles that give rise to policies are more important than the policies themselves. I would stress that policies are only practical manifestations of those underlying principles and that it is impossible to respect policies completely without a more fundamental commitment to those underlying objective principles.

References

Berman, E.M. And West, J.P. (2006). The Ethics Edge (2nd edition). Washington, D.C.

ICMA Press.

Maxwell, J.C. (2007). The 21 Irrefutable Rules of Leadership. Georgia: Maxwell

Motivation Co.

Stevens, B. "Corporate Ethical Codes: Effective Instruments For Influencing Behavior."

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