Talking with a colleague a few weeks ago, our conversation turned to the topic being discussed on a local radio talk show. The program asked whether it was ethical to get something for free by pushing the limits of common retail policies. The examples discussed included:
- Buying a formal gown, wearing it to an event, and then taking advantage of the store’s return policy to get a full refund. Is that ethical?
- Purchasing a large-screen HDTV (on a 90-day, no money down offer), holding parties with your friends to watch the NBA playoffs, and then returning the TV for a full refund. Is that ethical?
- Saving your empty coffee cup at the coffee shop so your companion can use it to get a “free refill.” Is that ethical?
A Commitment To Service Shouldn’t Be A License To Steal
It’s’ Just Not Appropriate
What struck us was the large number of people calling into the show to say they saw nothing wrong with these actions.
“Purchasing” something with the intent to use and return it afterward for a full refund is fraud. Giving your used cup to a friend so they can get a free cup of coffee is theft. People who think such deeds are acceptable have a warped sense of what is right
Nonetheless, I’m more concerned about the fact that the people who perpetrate these acts could be our coworkers, than I am about the transgressions themselves. These people might be working in our accounting departments, or managing our inventories, or handling our cash, or making critical decisions that directly impact our businesses.
What We Should Be Doing
As business leaders, protecting our companies is one of our primary responsibilities. In order to discharge that responsibility effectively, we must ensure that each of our employees:
- Understands which behaviors are acceptable, and which are not;
- Is provided with the training and tools to develop solid ethical standards;
- Has a decision-making framework to help them make the right choices;
- Works in a supportive culture that protects (and rewards) those who are willing to raise appropriate questions about the ethics of decisions and actions they observe;
- Receives fair treatment should they become unwitting victims of an unethical leader; and
- Knows they’ll be held to a zero-tolerance policy.
I’m not paranoid, but I believe there’s enough evidence to support a real concern about lax ethical standards. So I say: Let us provide the guidance to help everyone in our organizations to understand what is acceptable and allow no forgiveness for intentional ethical breaches!
If anyone would like to discuss business ethics training solutions that are effective and affordable, please email me at: gclogston@leadershipcourseware.com.
Whether you agree or not, please let us know your opinions by commenting on this post.
I’m amazed at how many people do not realize the actions you mentioned are unethical. Good job at reminding everyone.
Ironically, most of us learn that these behaviors are wrong as kids. We learn to justify them as adults.
Keep up the great work.
Semper Fi,
Marty
Hi Marty,
Thank you for stopping by. I too was somewhat astonished, but I am convinced that there has been a shift in thinking with regard to ethics. As a child I was taught many things to include respect for others which included a respect of their rights and their property. I wonder if the absence of this respect somehow contributes to the notion that it is OK to take advantage of business offers?
Gordon
The view from the bottom looking up must also reflect the importance of the ethical behaviors desired of the members of an organization.
Those asked to behave ethically must see the requested values in the actions of those above them. The standards of ethical behavior must never be relaxed at higher levels within an organization. They can become stricter, but not lessened or reduced.
There is no necessary relationship between ethics and external regulation such as tax rules. An organization which forces, or even encourages, fabrication, or misstatement, of records to improve financials, or avoid review, is already falling off the precipice.
Ken, as always you have eloquently stated what I omitted. Organizations can not mandate ethical behavior without being an ethical organization and, as you pointed out, it is those of us at the top of the organization that must be what we are asking of others.
Thank you.