Study Unit 6: Ethics and Occupational Health and Safety PDF

STUDY UNIT 6 ETHICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STUDY OUTCOMES 1. (NB)Differentiate between ethics, business ethics and morality. 2. (NB)Identify the stages of moral development. 3. Summarize the key principles of prominent ethical theories. 4....

STUDY UNIT 6 ETHICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STUDY OUTCOMES 1. (NB)Differentiate between ethics, business ethics and morality. 2. (NB)Identify the stages of moral development. 3. Summarize the key principles of prominent ethical theories. 4. Recognize the importance and benefits of business ethics. 5. Evaluate the relationship between occupational health and safety, and ethics, and 6. (NB)Discuss the personal and organizational factors that may impact ethical decision making. OVERVIEW 1. The relationship between ethics and occupational health and safety is that both fields aim to protect and promote the wellbeing of individuals. 2. Ethics provides a framework for making moral decisions, including decisions related to workplace safety. Occupational health and safety, on the other hand, focuses specifically on creating safe working conditions and implementing measures to prevent harm to workers. 3. Ethical considerations play a role in occupational health and safety by guiding decision-making processes and ensuring that employees are treated fairly, and their rights are protected. 4. Overall, ethics and occupational health and safety work together to promote the health, safety, and overall well-being of individuals in the workplace. 5. Ethics: refers to the principles or moral values that guide human behaviour and decision making. It involves distinguishing between right and wrong, good or bad, and determining what is morally acceptable in a given situation. 6. Ethical behavior is grounded in moral principles such as honesty, integrity, fairness, and respect for others. Being ethical involves making choices that reflect these principles, often considering the impact of one's actions on others and society. Outcome 1 NB Differentiate between ethics, business ethics and morality Ethics: refers to the rules and guidelines set out by the society in which we live. We are expected to follow these rules if we want to be part of society Examples: The law/ legislation, Professional code of ethics, codes of conduct Business Ethics: The system of how to approach situations and decisions in the business world. The study of business situations, activities and decisions where issues of right and wrong are addressed. It is a subfield of ethics that specifically look ethical considerations within the business environment. Morality: refers to our individual beliefs about what is right and wrong, which we use to guide our behaviour Examples: Beliefs about abortion, Beliefs about sexual orientation, Beliefs about death penalty.  OUTCOME2 NB IDENTIFY THE STAGES/LEVELS OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT. One of the most prominent theories of moral development suggested that children journey through three broad stages of moral development as they grow. Each of which can be subdivided into six stages OUTCOME 3 SUMMARIZE THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF PROMINENT ETHICAL THEORIES. There are several prominent ethical theories, each with its own set of key principles. Here are summaries of a few: 1. Utilitarianism: This theory focuses on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing suffering. It suggests that actions should be judged based on their consequences and whether they lead to the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. The right choice is the choice that results in the happiness, benefit or good of most people. An act is considered moral if it maximises happiness and minimises harm for the majority of people. 2. Ethical Egoism: This theory asserts that individuals should act in their own self-interest. It suggests that people should pursue what brings them the greatest personal benefit, without necessarily considering the well- being of others. The right choice is the choice that results in the happiness, benefit or good of the individual making the decision. An act is considered moral if it maximises happiness and minimises harm for the individual 3. The golden rule: The right choice that involves treating others as they would want to be treated. An act is considered moral if it treats others ethically, while still respecting individual differences. 4. Duty Ethics: We have duties or obligations as humans to act morally. An act is considered moral if it meets three conditions. It must be applied equally to everyone, everywhere. It must be applied equally to everyone, everywhere. It must be respectful of those involved. People must choose it freely. 5. Human rights and justice approach: The right choice that best protect and respects the rights of those affected. We have a responsibility to others to do what is right. An act is considered moral if it treats people in a fair and equal manner. OUTCOME4 RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF BUSINESS ETHICS. Business ethics refers to the moral principles and values that guide the behaviour and decision-making within a business or organization. Recognizing the importance of business ethics is crucial for several reasons: 1. Reputation: Ethical behaviour helps build a positive reputation for a business. Customers, employees, and other stakeholders prefer to associate with companies that demonstrate integrity and responsibility in their practices. 2. Trust and loyalty: A business that operates ethically fosters trust and loyalty among its customers and employees. This can lead to repeat business, customer referrals, and a more committed workforce. 3. Risk management: Adhering to ethical standards helps mitigate legal and financial risks. Unethical behaviour can result in lawsuits, fines, and damage to a company's reputation. Complying with laws and regulations, as well as conducting business in an ethical manner, helps minimize these risks. 4. Employee engagement: Companies that prioritize ethics tend to have more engaged and motivated employees. When employees believe in their company's values and see ethical behaviour modelled by their leaders, they are more likely to feel proud of their work and committed to the organization's success. 5. Attracting talent: A strong ethical culture attracts top talent. Job seekers often consider a company's reputation for ethics when deciding where to apply. Companies with ethical practices are more likely to attract high-performing individuals who align with their values. 6. Long-term sustainability: Ethical behaviour is essential for the long-term sustainability of a business. Organizations that prioritize profit over ethics may achieve short-term gains but risk damaging their relationships with stakeholders, leading to long-term negative consequences. Overall, recognizing and practicing business ethics is vital for maintaining a positive reputation, fostering trust and loyalty, managing risks, engaging employees, attracting talent, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Outcome 5 EVALUATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND ETHICS Occupational health and safety (OHS) refers to the practices and procedures implemented in the workplace to ensure the physical, mental, and social well-being of workers. Ethics, on the other hand, involves moral principles that guide our behavior and decision- making. The relationship between OHS and ethics is closely intertwined. Here are a few key points: 1. Duty of care: Employers have an ethical responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. This includes identifying and addressing hazards, providing proper training, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Failing to do so can result in harm to employees and can be considered ethically wrong. 2. Respect for human rights: OHS practices must respect the basic human rights of workers. This includes the right to a safe workplace, the right to be informed about potential hazards, and the right to participate in decision-making regarding OHS issues. Ethical considerations require employers to prioritize these rights and ensure that their OHS policies align with them. 3. Fair treatment: Ethical considerations also extend to fair treatment of workers. Occupational health and safety should not discriminate against any individuals or groups based on factors such as gender, race, age, or disability. Treating all workers fairly and equitably is an ethical obligation for employers. 4. Transparency and accountability: Ethical behaviour includes being transparent about OHS practices and holding individuals accountable for their actions. Employers should openly communicate about OHS policies and openly address concerns or incidents. This fosters trust and ensures that any OHS issues are appropriately addressed. In summary, the relationship between occupational health and safety and ethics involves employers' ethical responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy work environment, respect human rights, treat workers fairly, and be transparent and accountable. By upholding ethical standards in OHS practices, organizations can create a culture of safety, well-being, and trust among employees.  Outcome6 NB Discuss the personal and organizational factors that may impact ethical decision making Personal factors that influence ethical decision making. 1. Psychological factors There are three psychological factors that can significantly impact ethical decision-making: Locus of control, moral maturity, and heuristics and cognitive bias. 2. Demographic factors: Demographic factors can indeed play a role in ethical decision making. Certain demographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, education level, and socioeconomic status can shape an individual's values, beliefs, and perspectives, which in turn can influence their ethical decision-making process. For example, different age groups may prioritize certain ethical principles differently. Similarly, cultural backgrounds and traditions can also influence ethical perspectives and decision making. 3. Cultural factors Cultural factors play a significant role in shaping ethical decision making. Different cultures have their own values, norms, and beliefs that determine what is considered ethical or unethical behaviour. For example, in some cultures, honesty and integrity may be highly valued, while in others, loyalty and group harmony may take precedence. These cultural values can influence individuals' perceptions of right and wrong and impact their decision-making processes. 4. Personal beliefs and values Personal beliefs and values can have a significant impact on ethical decision making. Our personal beliefs and values shape our worldview and influence how we perceive right and wrong. These beliefs and values can vary greatly from person to person and can be influenced by cultural, religious, and societal factors. For example, someone with strong religious beliefs may prioritize following the teachings of their faith over other ethical considerations. Similarly, someone who places a high value on honesty and integrity may prioritize truth-telling even in situations where it may not be the most beneficial or practical course of action. 5. Moral imagination Moral imagination refers to the ability to envision and consider various ethical options and outcomes in a given situation. It allows individuals to think beyond their own perspectives and consider the potential consequences for different stakeholders involved. Moral imagination can have a significant impact on ethical decision making as it enables individuals to explore alternative solutions and evaluate the potential ethical implications of their choices. By engaging in moral imagination, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of the ethical complexities of a situation and make more informed and thoughtful decisions.  Moral Intensity and moral framing Moral intensity and moral framing can shape and influence ethical decision making. They can affect individuals' level of moral awareness and their motivation to act ethically. By considering the moral intensity and framing of an issue, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of its ethical dimensions and make more informed and ethical decisions. NB Roles and responsibility There are various roles and responsibilities that can influence ethical decision making. Some of these include Individual responsibility: Organizational responsibility: Leadership responsibility. By understanding and ORGANISATIONAL fulfilling these various roles and responsibilities, individuals and organizations can contribute to ethical decision making and create a more morally conscious society- example, when leaders demonstrate integrity and ethical decision-making, employees are more likely to follow suit. Employees often look to mentors for guidance. Positive role models can reinforce ethical behavior and provide support in navigating dilemmas. FACTORS THAT Organisational culture: An ethical organisational culture is what guides decisions making when no one is looking, what staff rely on when INFLUENCE there is no rule in place to address a dilemma. The values and norms of an organization shape how individuals perceive ethical issues. A culture that prioritizes ethics encourages employees to consider the moral implications of their decisions. ETHICAL DECISION Reward and punishment: Organisations need to ensure that their reward and punishment systems align with their code of conduct, and that expected behaviour is modelled by all leaders and managers within the organisation. Positive MAKING Reinforcement: Rewarding ethical behavior (e.g., recognition, bonuses, promotions) encourages employees to act in accordance with organizational values. This reinforcement can create a culture where ethical actions are celebrated. Alignment with Goals: When rewards are tied to ethical outcomes, employees are motivated to prioritize ethics in their decision-making processes. Limitation of Unethical Behavior Consequences for Misconduct: Clear punishments for unethical behavior (e.g., reprimands, demotions, termination) serve as a discouraging employees from engaging in unethical practices.