Ethics Officer

The standards for ethical practice to be upheld by professional ethicists include the following:

Integrity. Professional ethicists are honest and play fair while acting in good faith to others in all dealings for the company. They seek to know their own preferred belief systems, values, needs, and limitations, to know how their systems, values, needs, and limitations might differ from those of others, and to be conscious of the potential effect of these differences on their work. They refrain from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements, and they provide accurate information. They avoid conflict-of-interest relationships as well as expensive gift giving, bribery, nepotism, and abuse of government relationships. They clarify to all parties the exact nature of their performance and function. Professional ethicists act in the expectation that each exchange in business is in effect one of many more to come. They act with the intent of a long-term business relationship.

Productivity. Professional ethicists are expected to be knowledgeable about all aspects of their profession and to perform their work in an exemplary fashion. They exercise careful judgment to protect those for whom they are responsible. They use appropriate information, resources, incentives, research, and applications to secure the best service for each stakeholder. They are aware of cultural, individual, and role differences involving age, sex and gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status. They work continuously to eliminate the effect on work in the company of biases based on the preceding differences. They do not condone or participate in unfair discriminatory practices of any kind. They strive to advance individual and organizational learning, performance, and development while mitigating the causes preventing stakeholder welfare. They comply with laws and social policies that serve the interests of stakeholders, the public, society, and the environment. Moreover, they should possess skills in the following:

• Establishing and managing client relationships
• Conducting analyses
• Identifying root causes of conflicts
• Building partnership within the firm
• Negotiating
• Conflict resolution
• Handling technical issues
• Building consensus and commitment
• Project management
• Speaking
• Facilitating the leadership, implementation, and management of change

Responsibility. Professional ethicists uphold the law and these ethical standards and prevent harm to any stakeholder. They consult with colleagues and clients regarding the ethical compliance of their professional duties. They [Page 194]engage in proper business conduct to prevent unethical dilemmas. They share credit for work accomplishments when appropriate and are worthy of trust as a professional ethicists. They serve the company by honoring all contracts, promises, and any commitment agreed on. Moreover, they are aware of their professional responsibility to the community in which they work and live, to the society to which they belong, and to a livable planet. They understand there is a necessary confluence of a healthy ecosystem, stable governments, a healthy economy, and healthy organizations. Professional ethicists have an obvious responsibility not to bring harm to another individual, department, division, company, community, or any other element in society.

Respectfulness in Relationships. Professional ethicists recognize, respect, and are concerned about the intrinsic worth of individuals, their interactions with each other, as well as their rights to privacy, confidentiality, and self-directedness within the context of fundamental dignity, financial information, and worth of all people. They advocate that the restricting of the rights of individuals by managers at work should be limited and used only with clear business justifications. They are alert to the fact that legal obligations manifested as compliance policies and procedures may lead to inconsistency and conflict with the exercise of the rights of individuals. When conflict does occur among stakeholders' obligations, concerns, and rights, they attempt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible and ethical manner, avoiding or minimizing harm to others. They are sensitive to power differences among all stakeholders and do not mislead or exploit other people before, during, or after professional work exchanges. Respectfulness in relationships creates confidence among stakeholders.

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