About Us -  What We Do -  Clients -  Contact Us -  Home    

A newsletter providing you with information and insights
to help you meet your learning goals
By ShaughnessyHowell - builders of outstanding training programs
 
June 2006
In this issue: Codes of Conduct 
 
 
If you don’t already have a code of conduct in your organization, you’re probably considering one. Most people and organizations feel that codes are useful tools. But too often organizations reassure themselves that they have the area of ethics covered because a code exists. They assume that writing and distributing a code of conduct translates into ethical behaviour. It doesn’t take much to blow this assumption out of the water – Enron’s widely discussed code of ethics did little to affect ethical decision-making.
 
 
Tell employees that they are to attend mandatory training on the organization’s new code of conduct and you’ll hear loud groans throughout the hallways. You’ll also hear suggestions like; “Just copy everyone – we don’t need to discuss it” or “I don’t have time for that – give the training to people who really need it”.  So how do you get people enthused about attending Code of Conduct training?  You don’t.
 
 
One of the key components of code of conduct training involves addressing ‘grey areas’ that are inherent in all codes. After all, no code can address every possible situation that employees might find themselves in. The way to address grey areas is to provide employees with a tool that helps them make decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas.
 
 
The ShaughnessyHowell Team can custom design and deliver a Code of Conduct session for your organization.
 
 
 
 
ShaughnessyHowell Inc.
156 King Street South, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 1P6
Phone: (519)746-5203
Fax: (519) 746-6135
www.shaughnessyhowell.com