Ethical workplace has been a controversial issue since years ago. A huge majority of the workforce often list being ethical as one of the top factors they want in a business organization or a firm. Despite having formal cultural system in a firm, there are still unethical behaviors arising within them. These people bring negative impacts to the firm and are usually known as the “bad apples”. Up till date, no one can firmly point out whether the cause for such action is due to individual personality or the environment of the work place. Nonetheless, in my point of view, I think that formal cultural system within a firm is the most important factor in creating an ethical workplace.
Formal cultural system is the interaction of the organization’s selection system, policies, rules and regulations, training programmes and standard of procedures to name a few. These act as a guide as to the behavior managers and employees should portray, which creates the ideal ethical workplace within the organization. For instance, the selection system requires applicants to meet the prerequisites set by the organization. It is important to follow the system as it has to be someone who fits in well in the organization. An example would be the criteria to be a crew of Singapore Airlines (SIA). Crew members are selected based on their personalities (cheerfulness, optimistic, team player) and confidence level. As such, applicants have to go through multiple interviews before selection. The interviews also test one’s ability to react promptly to situations, which highlight potential applicants who will be better fits for the job.
Another example would be incorporating company’s mission and vision statement as well as abiding to the company’s policies and codes. Most of the time, these general statements merely guide beliefs while