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Have workplace ethics died?

Ethics are something that many individuals hold close to their hearts. It makes sense for everyone to want to be treated in a particular manner. The world is changing so quickly that ethics have become less important in large parts of the world. The same can be said about ethics in the workplace.

Ethics in the workplace should never be less important than ethics elsewhere. People that are employed spend most of their time sleeping and at the workplace. The manner in which one is treated in the workplace manifests into the rest of that person’s wellbeing. Individuals that are genuinely happy in the workplace are more likely to be happy elsewhere. The same thing can be said of people that are unhappy at their workplaces. This is something that employers should think about before imposing unethical actions on their employees.

Many people would probably ask what ethics in the workplace means. Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior. This principle applies at home, the workplace church, sport, music, and any other places. Employers and management are unethical when it comes to different wages afforded to people because of their ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and general beliefs. They are unethical when they are prejudice about one’s ability to perform work of a certain standard because of one’s background. They are unethical when they allow nepotism in the workplace. They are unethical when they know that things that shouldn’t happen transpire, but turn a blind eye. They are unethical when they underpay their employees because the employees are desperate for a job. They are unethical when their employees have unclear job descriptions and do more than they are paid to do. They are unethical when their disciplinary actions are different for the same offenses under the same circumstances. They are unethical when their salaries are higher than they should be. They are unethical when they do not comply with the country’s labour legislation. The list could certainly go on.

The above mentioned are things that happen in the workplace. These things have become such a norm that some employees believe that this what is supposed to happen in the workplace. I urge the employers and managers that allow this to think about what effects this has on these individuals. What it eventually does to their families and general livelihoods. Are these things that you would allow to happen to your immediate family and friends? Would you be happy if any of these things happened to you?

Ethics in the workplace should genuinely be enforced!

Michael Hlophe

Michaelhlope75@gmail.com

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