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Ethics : Ethics And Ethics Essay

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• Define ethics.

Ethics is defined as the moral principles and standards that guide the behavior of an individual or group, while business ethics refers to said behavior in the work environment. Great leaders demonstrate and practice this both personally and professionally.

With today’s constant media coverage of unethical decisions and their violators, it can be easy for many to people to assume that ethics codes are “just for show”. A prime example of the unethical culture that exists in business today, is the recent Wells Fargo Bank scandal. The company was fined $185 billion dollars, for allegedly opening more than 2 million bank and credit card accounts to unknowing customers who did not grant permission1. Employees, clients, and stakeholders alike, were committed fraud by the company that was contractually obligated to have their best interest in mind.

However, along with these scandalous situations, there a number of truly worthy and ethical endeavors are often overlooked for a ratings defining story. Having personal experience, as many family members have worked in the oil and gas industry, there have been significant socially responsible programs implemented within organizations that have decreased environmental pollution and employee workplace related accidents.

From an individual perspective, no organization can every fully prevent all unethical behavior, as human resources present the most variable outcomes of situations through personal morals and

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