Examining Ethical and Unethical Practices in Australian Organizations

This essay provides an overview of ethics within organizations, focusing on the Australian context. It explores the moral standards and principles that regulate employee behavior, highlighting differences in ethical perspectives across countries and continents. The research aims to establish what is morally ethical and unethical in Australian organizations, addressing issues such as environmental ethics, corporate culture, and conflicts of interest. The literature review covers topics like employee rights and obligations, the role of leaders in ethical decision-making, and the impact of cultural differences on work ethics. Findings from case studies further illustrate ethically dubious conduct in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of adhering to codes of conduct and promoting a culture of professionalism, trustworthiness, and respect.

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Ethics
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Introduction
In any given organization, there are rules, regulations, and policies that have to be
adhered to by the employees. There are moral principles that each and every employee have to
follow while conducting various activities within the organizations. Employees’ behavior within
the organization is dictated by moral principles of the organization (White, 2001). These moral
principles that regulate how employees should conduct themselves are referred to as ethics.
There are moral ethics, environmental ethics, and corporate culture among others that each
employee has to follow. These moral ethics differ from one continent and country to the other. In
the United States of America for example, they have different social values such as sexual
relationship values whereby homosexuality and lesbianism are allowed. Men and women in this
country are allowed to marry their fellow gender publicly without any fear of being convicted
because this is not an offense in their constitution.
On employment matters, both men and women of above eighteen years old are allowed
employment opportunities in the United States. Also, both men and women are allowed equal
employment opportunities as long as they qualify for the given job (Gibson, 2000).
Unfortunately, when it comes to payment, women are paid half of what men are paid yet they
work as twice as much as men. Employees have environmental ethics as well. They have a
responsibility to ensure that the natural ecology is not degraded. When it comes to romantic
affairs within the organizations, some organizations allow this while others are against this act.
There are also other work ethics that need to be adhered to by various organizations
globally, for example, ensuring that an employee does not take-home organization’s property,
use company resources for their personal interest and also, excusing themselves from work just
to have their personal time (Donaldson, 2009). Unfortunately, most of these incidences do occur

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in different organizations globally especially those that have not laid down policies to be
followed by employees. The aim of this research is to establish what is morally ethical and what
is morally unethical to do in any given organization.
Research Objectives
 To establish what is morally ethical within any given organization in Australia.
 To establish what is morally unethical in any given organization in Australia.
Research questions
 What is morally ethical within organizations in Australia?
 What is morally unethical within organizations in Australia?
Literature Review
Overview of ethics
Ethics refers to moral standards that regulate how individuals conduct themselves. In any
given organization, there are work ethics that employees are expected to conduct themselves in.
For example, employees are expected to respect organization’s property, therefore, they are not
allowed to take any property belonging to the organization (Birkelund, 2000). They are also
expected to arrive in time at work. Absenteeism is not allowed unless if it is an emergency like a
sickness. While on a business trip, one is not allowed to carry their spouses or stay in the most
luxurious hotels while feeding on the most expensive beverages. Also, while in office, one
should not make personal calls using company phones. However, some of these moral ethics
differ from one organization to the other globally (Love, 2001). In the USA for example, work
ethics have changed in that employees had to previously work sixty hours a week before
industrialization but this norm changed after industrialization. Currently, employees can work for

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only forty hours a week which is equivalent to eight hours a day, excluding weekends.
Employees can also be given vacation and day off as well as sick leave. Working conditions
have also been made safe. Employees have access to insurance cover unlike before. They also
have access to bonuses unlike before (Reamer, 2000). In the USA, employees are not allowed to
take office supplies for their personal use. This is because this act is stealing which is unethical.
Employees are expected to use office supply for the purposes intended for in order to prevent the
organization from incurring unnecessary expenses.
Personal calls are not allowed in the USA with office telephone. Telephone calls made by
employees are allowed to be recorded as per the law (Heelas, 2002). This is done for various
reasons which include;
 To serve as an evidence of a business transaction.
 As a regulatory requirement. This is because business is obligated to record their phone
calls.
 To monitor whether or not quality standards or targets of the organization have been met.
 Due to increased incidences of cybercrimes and other forms of crime, recording of a
telephone communication is essential in detecting crime so that appropriate measures can
be put in place to curb this.
 Organizations are required to abide by the rule in order to ensure that national security is
not at stake.
 The recording will help the organization in investigative unauthorized use of telecom
system. This is achieved when the organization's manager or an authorized personnel
within the organization listens to the recording made during the day. By so doing, one is
able to tell whether or not the call made was personal or business.

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 The recording also enhances the effectiveness of telecom system operation.
Both personal and business calls are recorded in the USA as per the law as long as all the
employees are made aware. Therefore, employees are usually asked to make their personal calls
on their private telephone to avoid being recorded. This is according to the US federal. In the
USA, employees are not required to use any of the office property for their personal gain.
Employees have environmental ethics in business in the USA. They have a role to play in
ensuring that the environment is not degraded (Norton, 1984). This is because they are aware
that there are traditional business practices that have resulted in environmental degradation
including depletion of natural resources like forests and wetlands. Continuous depletion of
natural resources has made it difficult for the USA among other continents globally to be capable
of supporting the future generation (Hargrove, 1992). There has also been an increased level of
greenhouse gas emission in the USA as well as increased global warming.
In every organization, employees have rights and obligations. They have a right to the
conducive working environment as well as keeping their private lives private (Ackers, 2001).
They are only supposed to give their private details if the law requires them to do so. Information
from them should not be accessed through force but their willingness to corporate and give out
any needed personal information (Pinnington, Macklin, & Campbell, 2007). This is because they
have a right to privacy. They are not supposed to give or receive bribes since this is against the
law. They should know when it is appropriate for them to take or give gifts to the organization.
Leaders, on the other hand, are expected to make sound decisions when need be. They
should be guided by moral ethics they possess. Their decision-making capabilities should not be
based on the bias like gender bias or ethnicity or racism bias.

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Work ethics in Asia differ from that of America among other countries. According to
them, they strive to work as a group as opposed to American work ethics where employees work
as individuals. No one leaves the organization in Asia but waits for each other so that they can
leave together even if they are done with their individual job (Rokhman, 2010). Employees are
given an opportunity to bond which in most cases, they are given a chance to drink together in a
bar to enhance bonding. They can work for the entire week including the weekend without
expecting any overtime payment. Gender bias is experienced in Asia continent. For example, in
Japan, women are regarded as lesser species who in most cases are not allowed out of their
houses especially those under the age of forty years. They are also expected to use simple
language in their communication unlike their counterparts; men. However, this norm has
changed over time. This is evidenced by the current trend where women have been allowed
access to education where they can pursue a career of their choice. Unfortunately, gender
inequality is still experienced not only in this continent but in the entire world.
Employees are not supposed to use any company property for their own personal gain.
They are also required to report to work in time, dressed officially for their job (Van Buren &
Greenwood, 2013). They are discouraged from seeking sick leaves only to have time to spend on
their own. Leaders are expected to make a sound decision when called upon without fear or
favor. Receiving and taking bribes is not allowed. Also, employees have a role to play in
conserving the environment. They are required to strive their level best to ensure that the
environment is not degraded since if this happens the ability of the ecosystem to support future
generation would be interfered with (Schminke, Wells, Peyrefitte, & Sebora, 2002). Therefore,
employees are made aware of their responsibility in ensuring Eco-friendliness. They also have a
role in minimizing the level of environmental pollution. Amount of greenhouse gas emission and

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carbon emitted to the environment should be minimized at all costs. By so doing, the level of
global warming would be reduced, thus reducing the amount of acid rain, flooding and soil
pollution.
In Australia, there are various codes of conducts that employees, managers, and directors
have to adhere to. This includes conflict resolution. Here, employees are required to ensure that
the company rules are not neglected. If a customer is conflicting with the company, then the
customer should be allowed to win in the conflict (Jackall, 1988). On the other hand, if an
employee is the one conflicting with the company rule, then he or she can have the conflict done
away with or speak to the line manager and risk and compliance manager so that they can come
up with a solution to the conflict. Employees should not take part in insider trading. They should
not expose any details about the company to outsiders. Involvement in corruption is illegal in
Australia. Therefore, one should not give or receive bribes or any form of unauthorized gifts.
Employees are warned against using organization’s property for their personal gain. For
example, one should not use the computer or any device like laptop belonging to the organization
for their own personal gain. They should also not use the data in the computer for their own gain
(Treviño, Weaver, & Reynolds, 2006). Employees should also perform their duties diligently and
make wise decisions. Employees, managers, and contractors should ensure that they observe
professionalism, trustworthiness, respect, and ethics. Confidential information should not be
shared with persons not intended for. Rather it should be protected. Equally opportunity towards
each and every employee should be advocated for. None of the employees should be treated as
superior to the others. While competing for resources or market share among companies, the
companies involved should do so equally without engaging in malpractices like using misleading

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advertisement to attract customers. Before making any business decisions, environmental, health
and safety effect of that given business should be taken into consideration.
The organization should ensure that all political donations should be authorized prior to
donation. Employees, on the other hand, should ensure that they are aware of the policies and
procedures of their work. The organization needs to be aware of the fact that they have
responsibilities not only to shareholders but also to the community.
Findings
According to the case study 6.1 about Ethically Dubious Conduct and the list of ethical
dubious conduct as stated by Brenda Franklin who is an employee at Allied Tech for nearly eight
years, it was established that there are various ethically dubious conducts that are depicted
globally.
The various items listed on Brenda's list are morally unacceptable. For example, taking
office supplies home for one's own personal use is morally unacceptable. This is because such
an act is considered stealing since the act of taking such supplies is not authorized in any given
organization. Using the telephone for personal long distance phone call is morally unacceptable
since the charges incurred while making a personal call would be catered for by the company. By
so doing, the organization would be catering to one's personal expense which does not take part
in enhancing organization's productivity (Sims & Brinkmann, 2003). Making personal copies on
the office machine is also morally unacceptable. This is due to the office's photocopying papers
being consumed by the employee. These papers are meant for office purposes that are essential
in enhancing the productivity of the organization such as being used in printing notices that
enhance communication within the organization.

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Charging the postage on one’s personal mail to the company is morally unacceptable.
This is because by so doing the ethical rights at play will not have been observed. The one who
does so would have violated the theory of beneficence. This theory requires one to do what is
right and good. Giving the company one's burden is neither right nor good. The postages
charged on one's personal email have no positive impact on the organization. This is because the
organization's productivity is not enhanced by personal email since individuals use their personal
emails to communicate their personal issues that are out of the organization's interest.
Making non-business trips in a company car is morally unacceptable. This is because
Deontology is not applied in such a situation. When one decides to use the company car to make
non-business trips means that one has not made decision to adhere to the company duties and
obligations which requires one to make business trips only with the company car (Wood J.,
2001). Using it for a non-business trip will mean that the fuel consumed will be catered for by
the company. Such expenses are not productive to the company since they do not result in any
benefit to the company but the employee alone.
On a company business trip, staying in the most expensive hotel is in between morally
acceptable and morally unacceptable. It is morally acceptable if the most expensive hotel is the
only hotel around that offers a comfortable accommodation to the employee. If there are other
decent and more affordable hotels around that one can book in then staying in the most
expensive one becomes morally unacceptable (West, 2004). Justice would not have been
observed in this case. This is because the company would be incurring a lot of expenses to cater
for an employee’s trip. Taking taxis when one could walk in morally acceptable especially when
the distance to be covered is not that small. Including wine on one’s food tab is morally
unacceptable. This is because wines are very expensive and also, they are not basic. They are in

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most cases consumed for pleasure. This should not be the case with the company’s money.
Virtue theory would not have been observed. This theory judges people based on their character
rather than their actions. In most organizations, employees are not allowed to consume any type
of alcoholic beverages, especially when on duty. Taking wine exposes one's drinking character
which should not be practiced while on a business trip that requires one to remain sober in order
to capture what took them to that particular business trip (Hammond, 1996). Taking one’s spouse
at the company’s expense is morally unacceptable. The trip should be intended to enhance the
productivity of the company but not for leisure with one's family members.
Using company computer to shop online, trade stocks, and view pornography or email
friends on company time is morally unacceptable (Mill, 2016). This is due to the fact the
computer is meant for business use only. Therefore it should be used in a way that enhances
organization’s productivity. Employees should also use their working hours in carrying out the
duties and responsibilities assigned to them. This is because employees are paid for each and
every hour they spend in the organization. Therefore, it is they are obligated to carry out
productive task within the working hours.
One should not fake sickness for the sake of a free time to spend on their personal issues.
This is because such an act is morally unacceptable. Employees are required to practice honesty
(Ciulla, Martin, & Solomon, 2011). Therefore, speaking the truth is very essential. One has a
right to medical attention. Speaking the truth about one's health condition will grant them a sick
leave. One should not lie about their health status just to secure a day off. They should better
speak the truth and seek permission to do what their personal activities. Lying shows that the
theory of virtue has not been adhered to. This is so embarrassing especially when the life is
discovered.

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One should not take half the afternoon off when they are supposedly on business outside
the office. They should practice respect. They should respect their jobs and do what is expected
of them without the need of being supervised. They should be self-driven. Directing company
business to vendors who are friends or relatives is morally unacceptable. This is like gifting such
members with that opportunity. Company business should be directed towards the entire
interested parties. Giving some individuals. Providing preferential service to corporate
customers who have taken one out for lunch is morally unacceptable since this is like gifting
them which is a form of bribe, the act which is morally unacceptable.
From Utilitarian and Kantian perspectives of Brenda’s list, various arguments can be
given for and against the conduct on her list. For instance, from a Utilitarian perspective, taking
office supplies home for one's personal use is wrong. This is because one is able to predict the
consequence of their actions, that is, if one is caught taking office supplies with them, they
would be considered thieves, which is punishable by law (Starratt & Stelmach, 2003). It is also
utilitarian wrong because the only one benefitting is the individual who takes home the office
supplies. It would have been right according to Utilitarian perspective if the majority would be
benefitting . Using the telephone for personal long-distance phone calls is wrong according to
Utilitarian perspectives (Smart, 1973). This is due to the fact that the employees are aware of the
consequences of their actions. They are aware that once caught, they will suffer the
consequences. If the majority of the people would be benefitting, for example, a number of
employees or the organization benefiting from the calls made, then this would not be considered
wrong.
The entire items in Brenda’s list, in Utilitarian perspective, was ethically wrong. This is
because there is only one beneficiary of the actions undertaking by that particular individual, that

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is, an employee (Quinton, 1973). If there were more than one beneficiary, then these actions
would have been considered right since it would have been both beneficence and just. The
actions should benefit the majority of the people as well as ensuring that justice is served.
From a Kantian perspective, all the items in Brenda's list were ethically wrong (Wood,
2007). This is because the employees did not adhere to their duties and obligations, for example,
one’s obligation is to use office supplies for office uses only and not for their personal use.
Some of the items listed as ethical dubious conduct are employee entitlement. For
example, staying in expensive hotels during business trips. Employees need to be provided with
a conducive working environment (Baron, 1995). Since they are on a business trip that will
benefit the organization, the employees need to be provided with a comfortable accommodation
facility. They should also be provided with means of transport rather than being expected to walk
to where they are required to be.
If the company does not do anything to stop the conduct in Brenda’s list, then it will have
itself to blame (O'Neill, 2013). This is because most of the items listed results to expenses to the
organization yet the one benefitting is an employee, not the company. The argument that all the
items listed on Brenda's list are not wrong unless the company has an explicit rule against it is
not true. Almost every item listed is wrong since it is done to benefit employees alone while
burdening the company.
Employees do have obligations towards their employers. They are required to report to
work on time and to adhere to the company rules and regulations (Van der Linden, 1988). They
are also supposed to carry out their duties and responsibilities as expected of them without
having to be followed around. Every company has moral rights. These rights should not be