Evaluating a Business Code of Ethics Essay

line of productses in straightaways society share a purpose, a vision, that relates philosophy and principles of morality to pause meet the needs of the organization and stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, and communities. With appear professional morals, craftes and its programs would not direct the ability to be prospered. This paper will examine human beingsa, its traffic sector regulation of good motive, and its mission line of reasoning that assists in organizational values and goals of the comp any(prenominal). The type of respectable system used by Humana will be explored, along with examples that foul this system and its attributes.In addition, how the ordinance of morals is identified and used inwardly the company will be distributeed as it pertains to employees, management, and its board of directors. Upon come along evaluation, this paper will explore the need for modification, if any, to their existing decree of morality. Reactions to the grave of ethics, its effects of organizational culture on the cypher of ethics, and its effects on the organization will be defined. Lastly, this paper will suffer an digest of Humanas subscriber line code of ethics and how the analysis exhibits signifi evoket observe concepts to maintain and promote good decision making and profession success. furrow Code of moral philosophy and its Mission Statement Businesses developed codes of ethics kickoff back in the ahead of time 1970s within the United States. Business ethics is the study of standards of business port which promote human welfare and good (Santa Clara University SCU, 2011, para. 1). Humana, a company that provides and administers health insurance plans, established its formalistic code of ethics in 1995 and since established a 24-hour access to their ethics financial aid hotline demonstrating its commitment and accessibility to business ethics (Humana, 2011, para. 1).Humanas code of ethics was developed as a means of understanding Humans estimable standards and promoting open communication and the well-being of members as it pertains to these standards. Humanas code of ethics stresses its mission and vision of the company to become the most(prenominal) trusted name in health solutions. To foster a successful environment, Humanas code of ethics is designed to educate each companion to contribute to the companys success through honest behavior and by doing the refine thing in the reform way for the right reasons (McCallister & Catron, 2011, p. 1).Defining the purpose of the businesss code of ethics allows for better understanding of ways to promote ethical business behavior. Deontological estimable remains Ethical systems in business are the contexts for making decisions in ethics, practically like rules in an athletic competition, giving significance and meaning to the mathematical operation and conduct of employees within an organization (Ulrich, 2010 , para. 2). Ethical systems can be modest into subcategories depending on its purpose. Humana demonstrates a deontological, overly known as a duty-driven ethical system. Deontological comes from the Greek deon, meaning, duty.Deontologists base their decisions about whats right on broad, analysis universal ethical principles or values such as honesty, declare 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 offers these objectives by establishing ethical principles that employees and stakeholders are to sustain to ensure deference, quality, and business success. Within Humanas business code of ethics, it discusses the light upon to integrity.The guidelines that are incorporated and integrated into Humanas ethical code address several depict issues that exemplify the business duty and obligations to ensure ethical standar ds are followed. For example, the key components of Humanas code of ethics focuses on truth act fairly and honestly with those that are affected by our actions compliance with laws comply with laws, regulations, and act in such a manner that the wide disclosure of all the facts would reflect favorably business responsibility gravel to the full(prenominal)est ethical standards of conduct and responsibility for account violations promote elationships based on trust and respect and reference 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 abide by these regulations in order to ensure the highest ethical standards and decision-making abilities.How the Code of Ethics is apply Humana s 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 work out define the organizations ethical standards and address how employees can mystify to these standards through Humanas vision. Employees are required annually to view and go off an ethical compliance training course.This reinforces Humanas ethical standards and resources that are unattached when confronted with these ethical dilemmas. For example, one particular part of the code discusses how employees have the right to report workplace violence and harassment. The code lists several examples of unacceptable and unethical behavior that attributes to workplace violence. In addition to the 24-hour ethics hotline, the code of ethics provides additional resources and plenty to contact if this is occurr ing.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 bind services and resources when faced with violence whether at home or in the workplace. Humana discusses how employee performance and success can be affected both internally and externally 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 take code of ethics is to maintain the highest standards in Humanas financial reporting with arrangemental agencies (Humana, 2004, p. 1). Management has responsibilities that require interaction and relationships with businesses, regulating and governing boards, and legion(predicate) 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, accurate reporting, and compliance with these ethical guidelines. In addition, guidelines that address avoiding personal activity or association with people that could interfere in making good judgment concerning Humanas vanquish 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 forgive. Humanas code of ethics is current, accessible, easily understood, and it provides a plethora of useful tools and 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 community, create transparency in business activities, and offer guidelines to comply with government laws and regulations (Fieser, 2008, para. ). Humanas business code of ethics not only addresses the real 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 imperative 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 uprise 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 intercommunicate immediately upon hire or the establishment of a business relationship. Addressing it early promotes the significance of the code of ethics along with guidelines th at employees and business partners should be certain up early on to ensure they are able to support these guidelines while maintaining the business relationship. Employees and business partners can either react negatively, stating that this code of ethics tells an employee what to say and how to act.Others react in a positive and plastic manner and understand the need for ethical guidelines within a business to ensure compliance, yet more importantly, ethical decision making in accordance within Humans mission and vision, to ensure keep business success and growth. The organizational culture promotes the highest ethical standards that are like a shot 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 downfalls and economical disasters that attribute to the lack of ethic performance and decision making. Humanas business code of ethics affects employees, the organization, its stakeholder s, and the surrounding communities in a way that displays moral and ethical importance, integrity, and success, attributed by the development of this code of ethics. Furthermore, Humanas code of ethics promotes business responsibility, honesty, and fairness.These characteristics affect business and community 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 apparent that this 52 page code of ethics was not established merely to regularise 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 standards, promotes trusting relationships, and keys to integrity. Addressing these key components and how employees can support these guidelines, along with several support tools, resou rces, and 24-hour access to ethical support, Humana provides a business code of ethics that supports ethical decision making and high ethical standards.