CHAPTER 3
PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS
PROFESSIONALISM
MEANING
Refers to what is right and wrong or accepted in a workplace – a standard of expected behaviour
Focuses on developing a moral compass for decision making - includes guidelines for employees’ appearance and
communication.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR
• Describes a certain behaviour or level of competency and adherence to an ethical code of conduct
• Showing respect for others – take responsibility for work preformed according to the job description
UNPROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
- Managers who promise promotions in return for relations
- Reluctant to report due to victimization – reduces productivity
• Challenges:
- Affected part may stay away regularly from work
- Business loss in female employees – attract fewer female applicants
• Strategies:
- Provide a framework for corrective action
- Formulate policies involving sexual harassment
UNAUTHORISED USE OF WORKPLACE FUNDS AND RESOURCES
- Employer who uses business resources for personal gain
- Employee who downloads music/ movies using business resources
• Challenges:
- Discourages investors as fraud and corruption increases risk of investment
- Business can experience substantial loss if it goes unchecked
• Strategies:
- Conduct regular audits
- Identify risk and vulnerable areas
ABUSE OF WORKTIME
- Making personal calls during work hours
- Making extended lunch breaks
• Challenges:
- Result in losing costumers or not meeting deadlines
- Wasting time costs the business money and affects productivity
• Strategies:
- Speak directly to the employees who abuse time
- Monitor employees to ensure tasks are completed
PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS
PROFESSIONALISM
MEANING
Refers to what is right and wrong or accepted in a workplace – a standard of expected behaviour
Focuses on developing a moral compass for decision making - includes guidelines for employees’ appearance and
communication.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR
• Describes a certain behaviour or level of competency and adherence to an ethical code of conduct
• Showing respect for others – take responsibility for work preformed according to the job description
UNPROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
- Managers who promise promotions in return for relations
- Reluctant to report due to victimization – reduces productivity
• Challenges:
- Affected part may stay away regularly from work
- Business loss in female employees – attract fewer female applicants
• Strategies:
- Provide a framework for corrective action
- Formulate policies involving sexual harassment
UNAUTHORISED USE OF WORKPLACE FUNDS AND RESOURCES
- Employer who uses business resources for personal gain
- Employee who downloads music/ movies using business resources
• Challenges:
- Discourages investors as fraud and corruption increases risk of investment
- Business can experience substantial loss if it goes unchecked
• Strategies:
- Conduct regular audits
- Identify risk and vulnerable areas
ABUSE OF WORKTIME
- Making personal calls during work hours
- Making extended lunch breaks
• Challenges:
- Result in losing costumers or not meeting deadlines
- Wasting time costs the business money and affects productivity
• Strategies:
- Speak directly to the employees who abuse time
- Monitor employees to ensure tasks are completed
