Ethics in the Workplace As a society, we face ethical dilemmas almost every day. How we handle these situations shapes our culture. But what is ethics? According to the Miniature Guide to Ethical Reasoning, ethical reasoning involves doing what is right, even in the face of powerful selfish desires. Living an ethical life is about developing control over our own self-centered tendencies. It is not enough to be able to make the right choice when we ourselves have nothing to lose. We must be willing to fulfill our ethical obligations at the expense of our egocentric desires and special interests. (Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, 2003) In short, ethics is about doing what is right even when no one is looking. A company with a strong code of ethics tends to operate smoothly. A society without a code of ethics descends into anarchy. Although arguments have been made to the contrary, ethics are just as vital in the workplace. Ethics are essential in the workplace because a strict code of ethics provides a non-threatening environment with high employee morale, a company that demonstrates clear ethics tends to show higher profits, and simply because it is the right thing to do. Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization devoted to business ethics, released the results of its 2005 National Business Ethics Survey, surveying more than 3,000 workers across America. The results were discouraging. • 21% observed abusive or intimidating behavior toward employees • 19% observed lying to customers, employees, suppliers or the public • 18% observed situations that placed the interests of employees above the interests of the company • 16% observed violations of safety rules and misreporting of time worked (Verschoor, 2000, pp. 19-20)... middle of paper ......legroup.com.Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder. (2003). The miniature guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning. The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Guest, E. (nd). SoFinesJoyfulMoments. Retrieved May 8, 2006, from Mary (Garren) Morand's website: http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/quotes/sermon.htmSchumann, PL (Spring/Summer 2001). A framework of moral principles for the ethics of human resource management. Human Resource Management Review, 11 (1/2), 93. Retrieved May 6, 2006, from http://web102.epnet.com. Verschoor, C. (December 2000). Ethical culture: the most significant barrier to ethical misconduct. Strategic Finance, 87, 19-20. Retrieved May 6, 2006, from http://web107.epnet.com.Zamansky, J. (02/01/2006). At the very least, Enron's former executives are guilty of moral bankruptcy. USAToday, 0734-7456, p. 11a. Retrieved from http://web102.epnet.com.