How many times have you heard someone say, "Just put it on your resume. There's no way they're going to find out"?

It is tempting to put little white lies on your resume. These might include overstating your knowledge of required software ("If they call me, I'll teach myself over the weekend"), a certification ("They'll never go through all that trouble to find out") or extending dates at a former employer ("They can't find out. The company went out of business").

This articles relates to the AlphaMeasure core competency Culture and Climate. AlphaMeasure defines climate as the effect an organization has on the employees, while culture refers more to the acceptable behaviors, attitudes, and habits of the organization as a whole. Knowing and understanding workplace culture and climate leads to a better understanding of what factors are influencing employees. In relation, the level of service your customers receive is almost always influenced by the culture and climate of your organization.

Workplace Ethics is a subject that we have all heard of. In fact, the subject of Ethics in general is something that most people are familiar with. And, what is commonly understood about ethics is there are ethics and then there are workplace ethics. What most people dont realize, however, is that there is no such thing as workplace ethics; ethics are the same, (or, should be) whether in the workplace or in personal life.

WHAT ITS ABOUT

Recent corporate financial scandals have highlighted the importance of business ethics and legal compliance. Yet a recent National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) survey of 280 corporate CEOs and directors found that "only one of three directors felt that they were highly effective in ensuring legal compliance".

Ethics in Business

Most companies realize that they need to develop and implement a business ethics and compliance program.

An effective program can:

Establish a code of conduct that reduces risk of criminal behavior

This morning, I read about a company using on-line auctions to defraud customers. Last week, I consulted on an ethics complaint where a business coach betrayed a clients confidentiality. And, recently a Physician was convicted of insider trading based on information from a patient, a violation of both business ethics and her professional ethics.

Business ethics are the key to profits. If clients and customers dont trust you, and your business ethics, they will not do business with you. Would you buy from a company you didnt trust? Of course not!

Is your business ethical?

What I mean is "Does your business do the right
thing when faced with that decision?" It's a
simple question, which many businesses struggle
with. I just don't understand the struggle part?

I have worked for companies that believed they were
ethical, and really have no clue. Meaning the
decisions they make everyday towards their customers
and employees does not advocate ethics.

While watching Face the Nation one Sunday earlier this year, Bob Schiffer discussed the airline industry, his mother and ethics in business. Like Bob, I think it is a sad commentary today, that we have to police businesses. Whatever happened to going into business to provide a needed service, being loyal to employees, and keeping promises.

It seems like no one today is concerned about doing good business or being ethical in the process. Our forefathers would be ashamed at what this society has come to. I know I am.

According to the shamanic traditions, the great mystery of being is that all things are alive and have a level of intelligence. This is because all things are a part of the Great Spirit. However, all things also function individually, in thought and action. It is in these individual actions that karma is born. Karmic laws also state that all karma, both good and bad, must also return home...return to sender!

It has surfaced in the news that certain Hewlett Packard directors have had their private phone records accessed by investigators working for Hewlett. In addition to the directors, nine reporters of the Wall Street Journal also had their phone records accessed.

I recently watched a movie called, "The Promise". So many little truths and realizations jumped out at me that I thought I would share some of them.

In the movie, there wasn't just one promise made, there were many. And as the movie progressed, I realized that there are often consequences to not keeping one's word. The damage doesn't just occur to oneself but also to the people who suffer loss from the broken word or promise.