Employment and Integrity

What does integrity mean to you? There are many definitions for integrity and the importance of integrity varies from person to person. Webster's dictionary states that it is "A firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values, and unimpaired condition, and the quality or state of being complete or undivided." The United States Air Force sums up the definition of integrity by stating, that it is "Doing what is right, even when no one is looking." As I reflect on myself and where I stand when it comes to this topic, I feel that integrity is a very important part of my life. I believe that by being ethical or unethical reflects not just on yourself but your loved ones as well. Some pay no mind to integrity and simply believe that integrity is not an important trait to possess. I would like to discuss where does someone gain or fail to gain integrity, when integrity is needed or not, how employers could promote integrity in the workplace, and the advantages and how a company could encourage whistle-blowing.
I don't believe that integrity is something that someone is born with. I feel it is something that is implemented in you, throughout the course of your life. Your parents and family members are the first people who impact your integrity or lack of integrity. When growing up, you learn from them and the morals and values that they possess, becomes yours. If some ones parent and family members fail to value integrity, so will you. Fortunately, integrity is something that you can gain over time regardless of what you were taught in your early years. Many, whom I have come across, gained their morals and values of integrity through encouraged discipline such as the military. The United States Air Force in particular, has a motto of "Integrity first."

Now many may say that there is a certain limit as to when you have to be forthright with your employer or not. A certain amount of trust is needed in a work environment in order for things to run