Ethics in the Workplace

In a country with the staggering unemployment statistics that South Africa has currently, it is almost unfathomable that people will take employment for granted. And yet, they do. Working in the HR industry, being exposed to the challenges that employers face, on a daily basis, is quite incredible. I remember when I visited a butcher who was a client, many years ago, and was told just exactly how meat gets stolen from the shop by their female employees. I, in my naivety, was absolutely horrified. However, for me, that was due to them wanting to feed their families in a country with inflation absolutely crippling us all. 

The harsh reality is that of the many who are working, and lucky enough to be in employment, they are being paid under the breadline. They need to pay a fortune for their transport, and then they still need to provide for their families. So theft will always be rife where the opportunities present themselves. What can companies do to reduce and eliminate these risks? Firstly, ensure that you are paying your staff market-related salaries. Secondly, ensure that you take all reasonable measures to prevent the margin for theft or the opportunity for irregularities. Thirdly, ensure that all your policies and procedures are in place. These may seem arduous and unnecessary, but that is only until things go wrong. And then one realises that these would have protected both the employee and the employer, as there can be no misunderstanding then, and no grey area.

A handshake and a promise do not carry much weight these days, and people with business ethics are few and far between. So as both an employee and an employee, one has to ensure that the organisation has employee contracts, and policies and procedures, to ensure that business is fair and legal.

Should you be unsure about what policies are necessary and which are nice to have, ensure that you speak to an HR practitioner who is known to have a good reputation in the industry. So many people unfortunately are wanting to make money first and please their clients second, and are inclined to sell you far more than you need. Ask around, ask for references, and make sure that you and those in your employ, are covered.