Ethics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Ethics - Research Paper Example Employees mostly follow the actions of the leaders such that if an employee knows that a leader is dishonest in business dealings, there is the likelihood that he or she will conduct business ignoring the laid down rules and procedures. Ethical climate can best be defined as part of an organisations culture. Organisation is like a tribe where the members have their own way of communicating, beliefs and assumptions as well as power structure. The elements combine to form an organisation’s culture. Different organisations are faced with are faced with different sets of ethical challenges and there is established moral values and norms which serve as guidelines for establishing ethical standards. Ethical climate as such determines what members of an organisation see as right or wrong shaping their ethical decision making and behaviour. Ethical climate is of paramount importance since it boosts the morale of employees, enriches organisational commitment and fosters an involved workforce and improves employee retention (Gilliland, 2007). Biases that affect moral decision making are antisocial actions that harm others in the organisation and by extension affect the productivity of business in such an organisation. Such biases include discrimination due to gender, age, disability, level of education or job definition in the work place. Such ill treatment is guided by existing stereo types and prejudice. These stereotypes for example are the notion that old people cannot learn new skills or the belief that some races are lazy such as the Hispanic. Discrimination in the work place is generally expressed subtly through behaviours such as disregarding the achievements of people due to the colour of their skin, women, and low class status. Hiring and promotion is also done on the same basis such that some organisations will promote men despite having lesser qualifications and experience than the women (Giacalone, 2003). Nepotism is another form of bias that can affect