CHARACTER IN THE WORKPLACE Gerri Warden Fleet and

CHARACTER IN THE WORKPLACE Gerri Warden Fleet and Family Support Center Pascagoula, MS 1

STORYTIME Accept the Deal Thank you but “No” Refuse and express irritation at dishonesty Refuse, express irritation & report to insurance company 2

WHAT IS ETHICS? o Standards of duty and virtue that indicate how we should behave. o Ethics is about right and wrong and how an honorable person should behave. o Ethics is about being a good person. o Is vs. Ought 3

It’s not the same as values. Ethics is what you do when no one else is watching. Imagine you were invisible and were able to do anything without consequences or repercussions. 4

WHY BE ETHICAL? • It’s just good business • It’s the smart thing to do CARING TRUSTWORTHINESS RESPONSIBILITY CITIZENSHIP RESPECT FAIRNESS 5

Aspen Declaration In 1992 an eminent and diverse group of educators, youth leaders, and ethicists from 30 segments of our nation issued the Aspen Declaration, a document asserting the primacy of six core ethical values that “transcend cultural, religious and socioeconomic differences. ” 6

The Six Pillars of Character 7

OUR WORKPLACE SYSTEM CHARACTER SKILLS We can always set the ethical bar higher!! 8

TRUSTWORTHY • • INTEGRITY HONESTY PROMISE-KEEPING LOYALTY 9

RESPECT • IT IS OUR DUTY TO TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT • Courtesy • Politeness • Dignity • Value the differences they bring into our workplace • Tolerance (This can be hard) 10

RESPONSIBILITY • • Don’t make excuses Accept responsibility for decisions Fulfill all obligations DO NOT over-promise “Life is full of choices—what you do and don’t do matters” “Choosing not to choose is a choice. ” 11

FAIRNESS • Listen • Make decisions based on careful and appropriate consideration Who do we let go? 12

CARING • • • Compassion and concern for others Kindness and consideration Mercy and forgiveness Empathy Gratitude and Expressed Thanks 13

CITIZENSHIP • • • Play by the rules Respect authority Do your share Within the workplace keep proper records Follow office procedures Be a good office neighbor and pursue the common good 14

Taking it to work. What Can the Business Community Do? 16

Expect all employees to maintain these ethics • • • Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship 17

Trustworthiness • Try to be honest and ethical in all business dealings. • Never reveal proprietary information. • Do not tolerate lying, stealing or deception. 18

Respect • Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness and dignity, valuing individual and cultural differences in our workplace and among those we serve. • Listen to and communicate openly with each other and with the customers in order to build mutual respect and longterm working relationships. 19

Responsibility • Do not make excuses. • Accept responsibility for our workplace decisions. • Fulfill all obligations. • Do not over-promise our customers. 20

Fairness • Listen intently to the concerns of the customers, employees and vendors. • Listen to the employees and make decisions that affect them only after careful and appropriate consideration. 21

Caring • Truly care about each and every customer, employee and vendor. • Commit to build long-lasting relationships to mutual benefit. 22

Citizenship • Play by the rules. • Keep proper records and follow financial reporting procedures. • Follow all laws and regulations … to the tee. 23

Listen for the bells warning you of an ethical issue. How will your decision look in the light? Could a reasonable fairminded person conclude you acted improperly? 24

Identify the Problems Fill the gaps! Close gaps deliberately! Most of us overestimate The cost of doing the right Thing---and underestimate the Cost of failing to do so. GAP GAP 25