Evaluating a Business Code of Ethics Essay

bloodlinees in todays monastic order sh atomic number 18 a purpose, a vision, that relates ism and principles of morals to rectify meet the requirements of the presidency and stakeholders, including customers, employees, sh argonholders, suppliers, and communities. With come forward professional good motive, handicraft organisationes and its programs would not rush the ability to be sure-fire. This base get out examine Humana, its product line rule of morals, and its heraldic bearing statement that assists in organisational determine and goals of the society. The type of respectable system apply by Humana will be explored, on with examples that gestate this system and its evaluates.In addition, how the rule of morality is identified and used inwardly the company will be insure as it pertains to employees, management, and its board of directors. Upon further evaluation, this paper will explore the need for modification, if any, to their existent enciph er of moral philosophy. Re get alongions to the write in inscribe of morality, its cause of organizational culture on the enactment of estimable motive, and its effects on the organization will be define. Lastly, this paper will provide an abbreviation of Humanas cable work out of morality and how the abridgment exhibits signifi sightt key concepts to withstand and promote honorable termination make and condescension supremacy.Business Code of moral philosophy and its Mission Statement Businesses developed enrolls of ethical motive starting back in the aboriginal 1970s within the United States. Business moral philosophy is the study of standards of melodic phrase conduct which promote human welf ar and effectual (Santa Clara University SCU, 2011, para. 1). Humana, a company that provides and administers health insurance policy plans, established its formalized code of ethics in 1995 and since established a 24-hour overture to their ethics championer h otline demonstrating its commitment and approachability to product line ethics (Humana, 2011, para. 1).Humanas code of ethics was developed as a means of understanding Humans honourable standards and promoting open communication and the benefit of members as it pertains to these standards. Humanas code of ethics stresses its delegating and vision of the company to blend in the most combininged name in health solutions. To foster a successful environment, Humanas code of ethics is knowing to educate each associate to get to the companys success with respectable deportment and by doing the beneficial thing in the obligation expression for the remediate reasons (McCallister & Catron, 2011, p. 1).Defining the purpose of the professions code of ethics allows for better understanding of focuss to promote honorable business behavior. Deontological honourable System Ethical systems in business are the contexts for devising finalitys in ethics, much like rules in an ath letic competition, giving signifi placece and essence to the performance and conduct of employees within an organization (Ulrich, 2010, para. 2). Ethical systems can be upset into subcategories depending on its purpose. Humana demonstrates a deontological, also cognise as a duty-driven ethical system. Deontological comes from the Hellenic deon, meaning, duty.Deontologists base their closes about whats right on broad, abstr feat universal ethical principles or values such as honesty, promise keeping, fairness, loyalty, rights, justice, compassion, and respect for persons and property (Trevino & Nelson, 2007, p. 98). Humanas business code of ethics lays out its purpose and mission statement and supports these objectives by establishing ethical principles that employees and stakeholders are to follow to crack contour, quality, and business success. Within Humanas business code of ethics, it discusses the key to integrity.The guidelines that are interconnected and integrated int o Humanas ethical code address several key issues that interpret the business duty and obligations to gibe ethical standards are followed. For example, the key components of Humanas code of ethics focuses on Honesty act fairly and honestly with those that are modify by our actions residency with laws comply with laws, regulations, and act in such a dash that the full disclosure of all the facts would ring favorably business responsibility bandage to the broad(prenominal)est ethical standards of conduct and responsibility for insurance coverage violations promote elationships based on trust and respect and have in mindence policies, ethics hotline, and the ethics intranet within Humanas website that further addresses compliance with Humanas business code of ethics (McCallister & Catron, 2011, p. 4). These components provide examples of a duty-driven, deontological ethical system. The code of ethics defines the ethical standards and expects employees and stakeholders to abid e by these regulations in order to ensure the highest ethical standards and decision-making abilities.How the Code of morality is Used Humanas code of ethics defines its mission and goals and how stakeholders can actively participated in ethical decision making within the organization. Employees, for example, are provided with Humanas business code of ethics on the first day of employment. The purpose of this is to distinctly define the organizations ethical standards and address how employees can adhere to these standards through Humanas vision. Employees are solicitd p.a. to view and complete an ethical compliance training course.This reinforces Humanas ethical standards and resources that are available when confronted with these ethical dilemmas. For example, one item part of the code discusses how employees grow the right to report workplace fury and harassment. The code lists several examples of un agreeable and unethical behavior that attributes to workplace violence. In addition to the 24-hour ethics hotline, the code of ethics provides redundant resources and passel to contact if this is occurring.Furthermore, if violence is occurring outside of the workplace, affecting any one of Humanas employees, they are also encouraged to discuss this with Employee Assistance. Employee assistance provides Humana employees with support services and resources when brassd with violence whether at home or in the workplace. Humana discusses how employee performance and success can be affected both internally and outwardly and feels each employee should be given the resources and support no matter where employees encounter violence.In addition to Humanas business code of ethics, management and its board of directors also have another code of ethics, specifically addressing the ethical guidelines for leaders and managers, and directors within the company. The purpose of a corporate level code of ethics is to maintain the highest standards in Humanas monetary r eporting with tellmental agencies (Humana, 2004, p. 1). Management has responsibilities that require interaction and relationships with businesses, regulating and governing boards, and umteen stakeholders that participate in Humanas business entities.The corporate code of ethics was defined for this reason and discusses standards such as conflicts of interest, consummate reporting, and compliance with these ethical guidelines. In addition, guidelines that address avoiding personal activity or experience with people that could interfere in making good judgment concerning Humanas silk hat interests (Humana, 2004, p. 2). The corporate code of ethics is additional resource and tool that managers can refer to when faced with ethical dilemmas such as these. Code of Ethics and ModificationUpon analysis of Humanas business code of ethics, the guidelines are clear. Humanas code of ethics is current, accessionible, substantially understood, and it provides a plethora of useful tools an d resources that govern these ethical standards and offer support for Humana employees when face with ethical issues. In addition, a code of ethics is to provide framework of acceptable behavior, promote high standards of practice, enhance a sense of participation, create transparency in business activities, and offer guidelines to comply with establishment laws and regulations (Fieser, 2008, para. ). Humanas business code of ethics not only addresses the of import portions of a code of ethics, but also has 24-hours access to these ethical resources and guidance. When establishing a code of ethics, it is unequivocal to address key components of a companys mission and company goals, along with clear guidelines that support a business vision. Reactions to a Code of Ethics When businesses work a code of ethics, consideration to addressing this code to ensure compliance is significant to ethical and organization success.A code of ethics should be addressed immediately upon have or the establishment of a business relationship. Addressing it early promotes the significance of the code of ethics along with guidelines that employees and business partners should be intercommunicate up early on to ensure they are able to support these guidelines plot of land maintaining the business relationship. Employees and business partners can each react negatively, stating that this code of ethics tells an employee what to interpret and how to act.Others react in a prescribed and constructive manner and understand the need for ethical guidelines within a business to ensure compliance, yet more cardinally, ethical decision making in accordance of rights within Humans mission and vision, to ensure continued business success and exploitation. The organizational culture promotes the highest ethical standards that are directly in line with Humanas mission and its guidelines that support the key to business integrity.The Effect of a Code of EthicsBusinesses are aware of do wnfalls and economic disasters that attribute to the lack of ethic performance and decision making. Humanas business code of ethics affects employees, the organization, its stakeholders, and the surrounding communities in a way that displays moral and ethical importance, integrity, and success, attributed by the learning of this code of ethics. Furthermore, Humanas code of ethics promotes business responsibility, honesty, and fairness.These characteristics affect business and society relationship by promoting trust, a significant behavior in organizational and community success. Summary of Ethical Analysis In reviewing Humanas business code of ethics, it is unmixed that this 52 page code of ethics was not established merely to determine it in place. It was established as a way of making clear and important ethical guidelines that support business growth and success.From its mission statement and supporting regulations, Humanas business code of ethics supports high ethical standa rds, promotes trusting relationships, and keys to integrity. Addressing these key components and how employees can support these guidelines, along with several support tools, resources, and 24-hour access to ethical support, Humana provides a business code of ethics that supports ethical decision making and high ethical standards.