1. What is meant by the unethical work practices?
2. What is meant by bribery?
3. What is meant by Loose talk?
4. What is meant by Industrial espionage?
5. Why employees should be on time for work?
6. Why you think employees should follow the instructions of management?
7. Discuss other examples of ethical behaviour, perhaps experienced by the learners themselves.
8. Break away groups to mind map the following;
Explain why you think employees should follow the instructions of management?
9. List the steps you think should be taken if you wish to report unethical behaviour in your organisation.
1. Unethical work practices refer to actions or behaviors that go against accepted moral standards or professional codes of conduct in the workplace. These practices may include lying, stealing, cheating, engaging in discrimination or harassment, or compromising the safety or well-being of others.
2. Bribery refers to the act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value (such as money, gifts, or favors) to influence the actions or decisions of an individual in a position of power or authority. It is considered unethical because it undermines fairness, transparency, and integrity in business transactions.
3. Loose talk refers to the informal or careless sharing of confidential or sensitive information, gossip, rumors, or inappropriate discussions in the workplace. It can lead to misunderstandings, breaches of trust, or the leakage of confidential information, which is considered unethical and can harm relationships and the organization.
4. Industrial espionage refers to the covert or illegal gathering of trade secrets, proprietary information, or intellectual property from a competitor or another organization for the purpose of gaining a competitive advantage. It involves spying, theft, or unauthorized access to confidential information, which is considered unethical and can lead to legal consequences.
5. Employees should be on time for work because punctuality is a sign of professionalism, respect, and reliability. Being punctual ensures that employees fulfill their responsibilities, meet deadlines, and contribute to the overall efficiency and productivity of the organization. It also demonstrates commitment to the job and fosters a positive work culture.
6. Employees should follow the instructions of management because it is essential for maintaining discipline, order, and smooth functioning within the organization. Management makes decisions based on their expertise, knowledge, and assessment of the overall situation, and following their instructions ensures that everyone is working towards common goals and objectives. It also promotes accountability and effective communication between employees and management.
7. Other examples of ethical behavior can include honesty, integrity, respect for others, fairness, transparency, teamwork, accountability, and adherence to laws, regulations, and professional codes of conduct. Learners may have experienced ethical behavior when someone took responsibility for their mistakes, when a supervisor treated everyone fairly and impartially, or when colleagues supported each other and worked collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
8. In breakaway groups, learners can create mind maps to explain why employees should follow the instructions of management. The mind map can include points such as the need for coordination and teamwork, organizational hierarchy, effective communication, clarity of goals and objectives, improved efficiency, and accountability.
9. Steps that should be taken to report unethical behavior in an organization may include:
- Gathering evidence or specific details about the unethical behavior.
- Reviewing the organization's policies and procedures related to reporting unethical behavior.
- Identifying the appropriate person or department to report the unethical behavior to, such as a supervisor, human resources, or an ethics hotline.
- Reporting the unethical behavior in a timely manner and following the designated reporting channels.
- Providing all relevant information, evidence, and supporting documents to support the report.
- Maintaining confidentiality, if necessary, to protect those involved or prevent retaliation.
- Cooperating with any investigations or inquiries into the unethical behavior.
- Following up on the progress and outcome of the report, if possible.
- Protecting oneself from any potential harm or backlash as a result of reporting unethical behavior, such as seeking legal advice or support if needed.