The Moral Code: Ethics in the Workplace
The Moral Code: Ethics in the Workplace
Self expression is one of the countries founding principles as set forth in the Constitution of the United States. Amendment One of the Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (The Constitution, December 1791) Our forefathers understood that this was a broad statement and open for interpretation. As such, they incorporated into the Constitution that each and every person has a right to " Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." (Jefferson, 1776)
Pursuing happiness extends not only to home life but to the workplace as well. The desire of every person is to be treated with respect and dignity by others. This yearning is present every minute, hour, and day of our lives. To be treated fairly and with a sense of worth creates a positive environment where ideas can flourish. This is most important in the workplace simply because there are many different cultural backgrounds intermixing. Understanding the meaning of ethics and how ethical situations can be used as guidelines in navigating common everyday ethical issues in the workplace. (Paul, R. & Elder, L., 2003)
Ethics is described by Paul & Elder (2003) as a set of concepts and principles that guide us determining what behavior helps or harms sentient creatures. (p.2, 2) Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2005) defines ethics as a set of moral principles or values; the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation Moral principles and ethics are closely related. These values compose our being and governing how we as individuals interact with each other. We will be exploring this further by discussing the following actual experiences:
1) Nursing: Helpful or Hurtful?
2) Is
Self expression is one of the countries founding principles as set forth in the Constitution of the United States. Amendment One of the Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (The Constitution, December 1791) Our forefathers understood that this was a broad statement and open for interpretation. As such, they incorporated into the Constitution that each and every person has a right to " Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." (Jefferson, 1776)
Pursuing happiness extends not only to home life but to the workplace as well. The desire of every person is to be treated with respect and dignity by others. This yearning is present every minute, hour, and day of our lives. To be treated fairly and with a sense of worth creates a positive environment where ideas can flourish. This is most important in the workplace simply because there are many different cultural backgrounds intermixing. Understanding the meaning of ethics and how ethical situations can be used as guidelines in navigating common everyday ethical issues in the workplace. (Paul, R. & Elder, L., 2003)
Ethics is described by Paul & Elder (2003) as a set of concepts and principles that guide us determining what behavior helps or harms sentient creatures. (p.2, 2) Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2005) defines ethics as a set of moral principles or values; the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation Moral principles and ethics are closely related. These values compose our being and governing how we as individuals interact with each other. We will be exploring this further by discussing the following actual experiences:
1) Nursing: Helpful or Hurtful?
2) Is
References: Jefferson, T., (July 1776). The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription. Retrieved April 15, 2006, from The National Archives Experience, The Charters of Freedom: A New World is at Hand. http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html Malone, K., (2006). Fair 's Fair. People Management, 12(3), 48. Retrieved Tuesday, April 12, 2006 from the University of Phoenix Online Library, EBSCO Host Research Database. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, (2005). Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: Definition of Ethics. Retrieved April 15, 2006, from http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Ethics Miracle, V., (2004). Rights of Patients. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 23(3), 129-130. Retrieved Monday, April 10, 2006 from the University of Phoenix online Library, ProQuest database. National Organization for Human Services & Council for Standards in Human Service Education, (2006). Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals. Retrieved April 10, 2006, from National Organization for Human Services. http://nationalhumanservices.org/ethics.html Paul, R. & Elder, L., (2003). The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. Retrieved April 15, 2006, from the Critical Thinking Community. http://www.criticalthinking.org/TGS_files/SAM-EthicalReasoning2005.pdf Steare, R., (2006). How to create an ethical culture, People Management, 12(3), 46-47, 2p, 1c. Retreived Monday, April 11, 2006 from the University of Phoenix Online Library, EBSCO Host Research Database.