ETHICS IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(DCE5633)
GROUP ASSIGNMENT:
“ETHICS AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL”
Prepared by ;
Group 1
Name Matrix No.
Afzan binti Ismail GS55275
Asrinayanti binti Mokhtar GS55387
Jeevadarshini Pilayanthran GS54180
Norasni binti Mohd Basarudin GS55207
Nurfaizah binti Mohd Noor GS55276
Qin Yi GS56089
1
Outline

1 Introduction to 4 Individual Ethics in a

Ethics at the Society
Individual Level

2 Individual Ethics in a 5 Individual Ethics in a

Family Global Context

3 Individual Ethics at
6 Conclusion
the Work Place
2
Outline

1 Introduction to
Ethics at the
Individual Level
 What is Ethics?

• As the study of • As a science • As the ability • Ethics essentially involves

standards of right and which deals with to distinguish how we act, live, lead our
wrong or having to do human values, between right lives, and treat others.
with human character, rights, duties and and wrong in • Our choices and decision-
conduct, moral duty. moral principles the decision- making processes and our
in their making process moral principles and values
• The code of moral behaviour. that govern our behaviors
principles and values regarding what is right and
that governs the wrong are also part of
behaviors of a person or ethics.
group with respect to
what is right or wrong.
 Ethics begin with the Individual

• Individuals are the basic building blocks of society

(source: Life, T. G. (2018)

• Ethics begins with each individual self.

• today’s business organizations comprise of diverse
employees that shape the organizational culture
and ensure a healthy environment at the
Figure 1: Illustrate several stages
of ethics and how individuals workplace.
interrelated with other groups and (Source: Ali, Salleh, & Sabdin, 2010)
environments with respect to
ethical behavior
• The individuals make up the organization
(Source: Hatcher, 1993) (Source: Theses & Mejeur, 2013)
5
Sources of Ethics at the individual level

• through his or her upbringing, socialization, experience

and critical reflections on those experiences and the
explicit and implicit standards of culture;

• ethics is also acquired from religious teachings; and

• formal institution e.g. schools, courses

6
 Gov. of Malaysia’s Policy: Ethics Curriculum in Malaysian
Educational System and National Development Plan

National Education Policy National Philosophy of Education

calls for developing the potential of
1986 individuals in a holistic and integrated
recognized the need to adjust the manner, so as to produce individuals
curriculum in order to make education who are intellectually, spiritually,
a forceful tool for the cultivation of emotionally and physically balanced
social and moral values. and harmonious. It is strongly believed
that the moral and spiritual growth of
Malaysian school children will enable
National Curriculum Framework them to realize the treasure within.
for School Education 2000
Eighth Malaysia Plan
observed that schools can and must strive to (2001 – 2005) applicable until
restore and sustain the universal and eternal
values oriented towards the unity and
today
has underlined the importance of ethics and moral values
integration of the people..
to ensure that the acquisition, utilization, dissemination
Source: Hock, Lekha, Maisarah, & Saat, 2005
and management of knowledge and information should
be for the general good of society
Importance of Ethics in Individuals

1. Integrity
4. Collaboration /
Team Work
2. Dedication

5. Conduct
3. Accountability

8
 Ethical Decision Making

Steps in Ethical Decision Making

1. Determine the moral issue;
2. Determine the actor / parties “Ethical decisions
involved generate ethical
3. Get the facts / relevant information behaviours and
4. Determine the moral issues is right provide a
versus wrong foundation for
5. Formulate actions and consider the good business
alternative practices,
6. Make the decision community and
7. Reflect on the outcome many more”

Source : (Trim, 1995) 9

 Ethical Reasoning
• Ethical reasoning (ER) refers to the decision Level Stage
process, an individual uses to judge whether a 1. Pre-Conventional Stage 1:
(Focus on Self) Obedience and
course of action is ethically or morally will make decisions based punishment orientation
appropriate. ER is important because it is on the rewards and
punishments resulting Stage 2:
necessary for ethical decision making and a from their actions Self-interest orientation
higher ER level is positively related to ethical
behaviours. Source : (Rich, 2011) 2. Conventional Level Stage 3:
(Focus On The Group) Interpersonal accord and
will behave following the conformity driven
• Reasoning process helps the decision maker views and expectations
establish, understand, and organize the complex from their relatives and Stage 4:
facts related to the particular situation. As part society Authority and social-order
maintaining orientation
of the ethical assessment, the decision maker
projects, weighs, and measures the possible 3. Post-Conventional Level Stage 5:
(Focus On Inner Self) Social contract orientation
courses of action and the potential behavior are guided by
consequences. their own inner principles, Stage 6:
such as life, liberty and Universal ethical
• Cognitive Moral Development Theory (CMD) by orientation
justice
Lawrence Kohlberg (1976) classified individuals’
ER into three levels 10
Source : (Rich, 2016)
 Ethical Awareness

• Ethical awareness is the eagerness and • Ethical awareness to evaluate the root
ability to designate moral situations and cause of an issue, so that he/she (and
dilemmas; critically analyze, evaluate, and possibly others) could avoid similar
additionally change one’s own moral circumstances in the future.
esteems; and look up the effects of one’s
own attitude for the lives of others. • Ethical awareness would have helped to
recognize the range of potential ethical
• The ability to recognizing the ethical implications of his decisions as they relate
implications of one’s actions and potential to the aforementioned concerns. In other
repercussions from decisions. words, ethical awareness would enable to
have a more holistic view.
(Source : (Türegün, 2018)
•  Ethical awareness would help to recognize
the responsibility and to address this
obligation, in greater depth.
(Source : Milliken, 2018)
11
4 Basic Elements Of Ethics
source: Figar, Nadica & Đorđević, Biljana. (2016)

01 VALUES
• Values refer to the important 03 DUTIES
• Duties are the obligation of
and enduring beliefs or a person or an organisation.
principles, based on which
an individual makes
MORAL PRINCIPLE
judgements in life. • Moral principles are norms (rules,

02 RIGHT 04 principles and procedures) that

regulate the rights and obligations.
• Rights are the claims of the • Example basic norms of general
individual or organisation. morality is keeping promises (that
• The freedom of the individual or the individual will follow generally
groups to achieve desired values. accepted ethical norms in defining
• The right includes a method for desired values as well as that in the
achieving the values. realisation of the values will not
violate their own rights and the
rights of the others).
12
 The Purpose of Ethics

Law, Regulation and Safeguarding

• To ensure compliance with laws and
Power Abuse regulations, safeguarding of the
• Ethics can prevent, or decrease the company/community.
amount of, certain harms i.e. power
abuse.
Professionalism
• Outline professional responsibilities, values,
Harmony
standards and rules of behavior.
• To provide an environment that • Helps the individual gain the trust of the
allows people to live a more people with whom they work
structured, happy life than would
exist without ethics.
• A good individual has the
qualities that promote stable,
Guidance
long-lasting relationships,
families, and communities. • Ethics is a system of principles that helps
us tell right from wrong, good from bad.
• Ethics can give real and practical guidance
to our lives in order to make good 13
decisions
Ethical Conduct

14
 Unethical Conduct

1 ENVIRONMENT CRISIS

2
INDIVIDUAL CRISIS

3 FAMILY CRISIS

4
WORKPLACE CRISIS

5 COMMUNITY CRISIS

15
 ETHICAL Dilemmas
source: Figar, Nadica & Đorđević, Biljana. (2016)

• The ED can occur at multiple levels:

• Ethical dilemmas are situations in which individual, organisational, sectoral,
the ethical course of action is not clear. national and global. It is continuous
Whenever there is a choice between two problem-solving issue.
or more alternatives, there is a possibility
for a dilemma to emerge.
• An ethical dilemma exists when one is
faced with having to a make choice
among following alternatives:
 Significant Value— Conflicts among
differing interests.
• Having a code of ethics and a personal
 Real alternatives that is equally justifiable.
 Significant consequences on stakeholders sense of what is right and wrong can
help the individual choose the right
in situation
course of action.
 5 Target Strategies For Resolving Ethical Dillemas
Strategy 5P
source: Figar, Nadica & Đorđević, Biljana. (2016)

Problems People Priorities

• The problems • How these alternatives which • Priority is given to the
related to the ED reflect on the people and the most favourable one.
are defined relevant stakeholders are
analysed.

Possibilities Principles
• The possibilities for its • Obligation to some
resolution are analyse stakeholders must be in
through the determination of accordance with the with
the certain principles.
a certain number of the
alternatives.
Outline

2 Individual Ethics in a
Family
 Definition of Family
Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, United Nations (1948)
“the family is the natural and fundamental group of
society and is entitled to protection by society and Cambridge Dictionary
the State” “a group of people who are related to each other,
such as a mother, a father, and their children”

Merriam-Webster
“the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of
two parents rearing their children” also Types of Family
“any of various social units differing from but • Nuclear Family
regarded as equivalent to the traditional family i.e. • Extended Family
single-parent family” • Blended Family

19
 Fundamental Principles of a Harmonious Family

1 Love
•
•
The fundamental essence
It is an active force that unconditionally given by
one being to another and impacts on the receiver

2 Giving & Receiving

• Keeps the circulation of love and good flowing
richly in the family
• It must be cultivated and practiced

3 Greater Purpose
• The family suffers when individuals live only for
themselves and communities suffer when families
do not care about other families and community.

4 Thoughts, Words & Deeds

•
•
Known as actions
Have consequences of the doer and receiver
• Thus need to be carefully considered

5 Present Reality, Future Potential

•
•
Each person is a work in progress
It is important to see everyone not only in current
Source: World Association of Non-
Governmental Organizations (WANGO).
20
situation but also their potential (2010). Code of Ethics of the Family.
 The Application of Relational Ethics in a Family

Spouses Siblings
Core principles
Responsibilities
Core principles 1. Living for the sake of the
1. Different roles,
equal value Responsibilities other
1. Fidelity
2. Joy of having 2. Forgiveness &
2. Living for the sake of the 1. Setting an
children Reconciliation
other example 3. Parental Point of View
3. Honor & cherish
3. Forgiveness & 2. Learning to care 4. Togetherness
reconciliation FAMILY
Responsibilities Living for the sake
of Parents of the other
Responsibilities
1. Nurture of Children
2. Educate Perspective
1. Personal Growth
2. Filial Pity
Parents & Family & Sources:
Children Society 1. World Association of Non-Governmental
Organizations (WANGO). (2010). Code of Ethics of
the Family.
2. Minnesota Council on Family Relations (MCFR).
(2009). Ethical Thinking and Practice
21 for Parent
and Family Life Educators.
Case Study

22
Outline

3 Individual Ethics at
the Work Place
 Definition

Workplace Organization
an individual’s a structured
place of entity
employment
 Overview

GOALS / OUTCOME /
WORK ETHICS
MISSION PERFORMANCE

25
Defining Work Ethics

Work Ethics
Work ethics are beliefs and
attitudes regarding work behaviour,
which is reflected in decision making
and conduct, from
which work values stem & influences
individuals’ behaviour at work

(Source: Jnock, Sobayeni & van der Walt, 2016)

26
 Work Ethics Construct
SELF-RELIANCE
independence, not relying on others

MORALITY
being just & morally right
7 FACETS
LEISURE
 relaxing and indulging in pleasurable activities

HARD WORK
commitment to value & importance of work

CENTRALITY OF WORK
belief in work for work sake

WASTED TIME
productive use of time & time management

DELAY OF GRATIFICATION
sacrifice & postpone short-term rewards to achieve long-term objectives

(Source: Miller et al., 2002 as cited in Jnock et al., 2016)

27
Good Work Ethics / Exemplary Ethics
Establish Code Of Conduct
Form codes as a set of ethics rules to illuminate a minimum
standard below which no official or employee should fall

Mutual Respect
Both employers and employees show respect correspondingly

Organizational Harmony
Work in harmony with colleagues & maintain a healthy work
culture

Be Accountable
Establish & sustain integrity in addition to ensuring trustworthiness

(Source: Siewert & Udani, 2016; Gaillard & DeCorte, 2020)

28
Bad Work Ethics / Ethics Violation
Corruption (bribes / favouritsm)

Fraud / Theft

Conflict of interest (through gifts)

Improper use of authority for financial gain

Misuse / manipulation of confidential information

Indecent treatment of colleagues

Wastage & abuse of organizational resources

Misconduct during private time

29
(Source: Siewert & Udani, 2016)
 Overcoming Bad Work Ethics
Ethics Training
creates employees awareness about ethical violations & lead to fewer violations becoming realities
effective training considers changing circumstances such as demographics & technologies

Implementing the Code of Conduct

instead of merely decorating the workplace walls, all employees must be subject to the Codes of Conduct
failing to adhere requires appropriate disciplinary measures

Contemporary Work Culture

contemporary employees focus on ‘working smarter, not harder’ due to technological advances
organizations must be flexible in adherence to policies & establish its relevance in the current setting

Value Feedback
in a strong culture, employees are more willing to report wrongdoing when it occurs
whilst the organization should encourage, protect & value reported concerns & suspected wrongdoings

(Source: Siewert & Udani, 2016; Jnock et al., 2016; Gaillard & DeCorte, 2020)
30
 Case Study on Work Ethics
2 3

TOP EMPLOYEE AWARD

WORKPROCESS AUTOMATION

1 HARDWORKING 4

EMPLOYEE LAYOFF 31
Outline

4 Individual Ethics in a
Society
  an organized group of persons associated together
for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political,
WHAT IS patriotic, or other purposes.
SOCIETY?  a body of individuals living as members of a
community; community.

(Source: Giddens  ‘Society is a concept used to describe the

and Sutton, structured relations and institutions among a large
2017)  community of people which cannot be reduced to a
simple collection or aggregation of individuals.’
  ethics is a concern about something or
someone other than ourselves and our own
WHAT IS desires and self-interest.
ETHICS IN  ethics is concerned with other people's
SOCIETY? interests, with the interests of society, with
God's interests, with "ultimate goods", and
so on.
 WHY IS ETHICS IMPORTANT IN OUR SOCIETY?

Ethics serves a guide to moral daily living and helps us judge whether
our behaviour can be justified.

Ethics refers to society's sense of the right of living our daily

lives. It does thus by establishing rules, principles, and
values on which we can base our conduct
HOW DOES ETHICS SHAPE
OUR SOCIETY?

Reflect what
what is serves as a compass
beliefs is
right to direct how people
wrong
should behave
towards each other,
what what is understand and fulfil
is just unjust their obligations to
society and live their
lives
what is what In terms of
good is bad human
behaviour
AN ETHICAL FOUNDATION FOR
COMMUNITY PRACTICE

Inclusion Diversity Participation

Empowerment Social Justice Advocacy

(Source: Racher, 2007)

ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN
COMMUNITY PRACTICE

Fostering and
maintaining Working with
The goals of social Facilitating and effective and caring multiple
justice and ensuring inclusion partnerships offers
empowerment can and diversity in relationships - challenges in
be very difficult to community requires supporting and
achieve participation commitment and ensuring processes
constant effort through
Ethical Behaviour

 Wearing a Mask: To Do or Not to Do

Outline

5 Individual Ethics in a
Global Context
What is individual ethics in a global context?

Individual ethics is a group of individual ethical commitments, which

are usually obtained in the early family or religious training and later
through frequent reflection. Many moral ideals, such as honesty and
justice, are a common component of personal, professional, and public
morals. However, in some cases, professional standards may be different
from individual ethics, or even from common public moral standards.

SOURCE:3.4 Global Business Ethics. Authored by: Anonymous and Archived by Andy

Schmitz.

41
 Guiding Principles
• Working in the public interest
• Obeying laws and respect diversity and local customs
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom of media
• Honesty, truth and fact-based communication
• Integrity
• Transparency and disclosure
• Privacy

42
 Where Do Our Values Come From
Just as people look to Ethics can be defined as a
system of moral standards
Culture impacts how local values influence global ethics. There are differences in how much
history to understand importance cultures place on specific ethical behaviors. For example, bribery remains
or values. Cultural beliefs
political, technical, and programming influence widespread in many countries, and while people may not approve of it, they accept it as a
and social changes, so our values. A sense of necessity of daily life. Each professional is influenced by the values, social programming, and
too do they look for ethics is determined by a
number of social, cultural,
experiences encountered from childhood on. These collective factors impact how a person
changes in thinking and religious factors; this perceives an issue and the related correct or incorrect behaviors. Even within a specific culture,
and philosophy. There sense influences us individuals have different ideas of what constitutes ethical or unethical behavior. Judgments
is a history to how beginning early in may differ greatly depending on an individual’s social or economic standing, education, and
thinking has evolved childhood. People are
taught how to behave by
experiences with other cultures and beliefs. Just as in the example of bribery, it should be noted
over time. What may their families, exposure to that there is a difference between ethical behavior and normal practice. It may be acceptable to
or may not have been education and thinking, and discriminate in certain cultures, even if the people in that society know that it is not right or fair.
acceptable just a the society in which they In global business ethics, people try to understand what the ethical action is and what the
hundred years ago live. Ethical behavior also
refers to behavior that is
normal practice might be. If these are not consistent, the focus is placed on how to encourage
may be very different generally accepted within a ethical actions.
today—from how specific culture. Some
people present behaviors are universally
themselves and how accepted—for example,
people shouldn’t physically
they act and interact hurt other people. Other
to customs, values, actions are less clear, such
and beliefs. as discrimination based on
age, race, gender, or
ethnicity.

43
 Example

Some of the most common ethical issues in global include

outsourcing, working standards and conditions, workplace
diversity and equal opportunity, child labor, trust and integrity,
supervisory oversight, human rights, religion, the political arena,
the environment, bribery and corruption.

44
C Today there are still business gift-giving occasions in Japan,
specifically oseibo (year’s end) and ochugen (midsummer). These
Long an established form of relationship development in all business
conducted in Asia, the Arab world, and Africa, gift giving was clearly

a are must-give occasions for Japanese businesses. Oseibo gifts are

presented in the first half of December as a token of gratitude for
earlier favors and loyalty. This is a good opportunity to thank
tipping into outright bribery. In the past two decades, many countries
have placed limits on the types and value of gifts while
simultaneously banning bribery in any form. In the United States,

s clients for their business. Ochugen usually occurs in mid-July in

Tokyo and mid-August in some other regions. Originally an
occasion to provide consolation to the families of those who had
companies must adhere to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a
federal law that specifically bans any form of bribery. Even foreign
companies that are either listed on an American stock exchange or

e died in the first half of the year, ochugen falls two weeks
before obon, a holiday honoring the dead. Businesses operating in
Japan at these times routinely exchange oseibo and ochugen gifts.
conduct business with the US government come under the purview
of this law.

While a professional is not obligated to participate, it clearly earns There are still global firms that engage in questionable business gift
goodwill. At the most senior levels, it is not uncommon for people giving; when caught, they face fines and sanctions. But for the most
to exchange gifts worth $300 or $400. There is an established part, firms continue with business as usual. Changing the cultural

S price level that one should pay for each corporate level.

Despite these guidelines, gift giving in Japan has occasionally

practices of gift giving is an evolving process that will take time,
government attention, and more transparency in the awardinSome of
the most common ethical issues in global include outsourcing,

t crossed over into bribery. This level of corruption became more

apparent in the 1980s as transparency in global business gained
media attention. Asians tend to take a very different view of
working standards and conditions, workplace diversity and equal
opportunity, child labor, trust and integrity, supervisory oversight,
human rights, religion, the political arena, the environment, bribery

u accountability than most Westerners. In the 1980s and 1990s,

several Japanese CEOs resigned in order to apologize and take
responsibility for their companies’ practices, even when they did
and corruption.

d not personally engage in the offending practices. This has become

an accepted managerial practice in an effort to preserve the honor
of the company. While Japanese CEOs may not step down as

y quickly as in the past, the notion of honor remains an important

business characteristic.
45
Outline

6 Conclusion
 We Conclude that ETHICS at the Individual Level;

• Influence over the decisions • Important in all aspects of • Ethical dilemma is a problem in
we make and the actions we life because it is an essential the decision-making process
take, from our personal lives part of the foundation on between two possible options,
to our professional careers, which of a civilized society is neither of which is absolutely
and beyond; build. Occur at multiple levels acceptable from an ethical
• Starts with individual; (family, work place, perspective. Therefore, it is
• Ethics is perceived differently community, & global ); crucial to have ethical reasoning
by individual. It can be learn • Every person can encounter and awareness during the
and unlearn via various an ethical dilemma in almost evaluation process.
source either informal or every aspect of their life,
formal source; including at family level,
work place, community and
global; and
Thank You,
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