01.

Introduction

Human Resource Management deals with manpower planning and development activities of any
organization. It is the branch where ethics really matter, since is related to issues like compensation,
development, industrial relations etc.

Ethics are necessity in the external self-presentation and public perception of (economic)
organizations. The model of ‘enlightened self-interest’ of business claims only those companies will
be economically successful that manage to convince their stakeholders for their moral integrity.
According to the model the implementation of ethical standards are in the self-interest of companies.

As some authors state in recent publications, ethics also become more and more an internal concern
for organizations. Whereas formerly the interest of employees were ignored or only taken as one of
several stakeholders interests, the ethical management of employees. Especially human resource
HRM plays a decisive role for introducing and implementing of ethics. Here the focus is on key
issues of introducing ethical standards for HRM activities.

02.What are Ethics?

Many people say ethics are to do with a set of

social convention or a religious decree. In
professional philosophy we do not typically
concern this to be the definition of ethics.
Philosophy ethics could be known as the study
of what is good and bad. Generally,
philosophical ethics concerns itself for
discovering a system one way use to determine
who or what is good, or for evaluating systems
that others have proposed ‘Ethics’ is very-very
simple word to listen about. But it is a hard nut to crack when it comes into real practice. Whenever
it be for any individual, business, society, nation, government or any professional, ethics has its

1|Page
different significance. It is immortal, universal and significant in all walks of life. Business or
corporate world cannot be out of it as an exception to this.

A corporate mission, vision, goal or motto based on ethics of business. The management approach to
goal fulfillment of modem organizations depends on adequate contribution by every department of
the organization, whether; it is in field of marketing, production, human resource or finance.

At it is simple that, ethics is a system of moral principle. They affect how people take decisions and
lead in their lives.

Ethics is concerned with what is for goodness of individuals and society and is also described as
moral philosophy. In the term derived from the Greek work ethos which can mean custom, habit,
character or disposition.

Ethics concerns for the following:

 How to live a good life

 Our rights and responsibilities
 The language of right and wrong
 Moral decisions – what is good and bad?

Our concept of ethics are derived from religious, philosophies and culture. They infuse
debates for the topics like abortion, human rights and professional conduct.

2|Page
2.1. Approaches to ethics

Philosophers are tending divide ethical theories

into three areas: metaethics, normative ethics
and applied ethics.

 Metaethics that deals with the nature if

moral judgment. It looks at the origins
and meaning of ethical principles.
 Normative ethics that is concerned with
the content of moral judgments and the
criteria for what is right or wrong.
 Applied ethics looks at the controversial topics like war, animal rights and capital
punishment.

As per the webster’s dictionary: ethics is the study of standards for conduct of moral judgment. It
is a moral philosophy and the system of code for morals of a particular philosopher, religion,
group or profession.

3. Ethics in HRM

The ethics in human resource management HRM covers all those ethical issues arising around the
employer-employee relationship, such as the rights and duties allocated between employer and
employee. HRM Ethics is “the affirmative moral obligations of the employer (business) towards the
employees for maintaining the equality and equity justice”. Do not treat people (employees) simply
in a mean for our own purpose without their full and free consent, because they are ends in
themselves.

3|Page
3.1. Very common Unethical Practice of HRM

The very common unethical practice of HRM itself has also hit public attention:

 Off- shoring and exploiting ‘cheap’ labour markets;

 Using child labour;
 Reneging on company pension agreement;
 Longer working hours;
 Increasing work stress;
 The use of disputed and dubious practices in hiring of personnel

3.2. What Extent should The Organization Follow HRM Ethics?

Here, the main two ethical concerns are

01. To what extent should the people be used as a means to an end

02. To what extent the management has to act for the interest of the employees

The last part of the definition of HRM “effective and efficient” utilization of HR support the first
point. The point “to achieve personal/individual goals” in the definition supports the second point.

The definition of HRM clearly says that organization interest cannot be compromised while doing
justice with employees and vice-versa.

3.3. Characteristics of Ethics

 Leadership
 Values
 Integrity
 Respect
 Loyalty

4|Page
  Concern
3.4. Importance of Business Ethics in HRM

Ethics is not a cosmetic for life. It has to be an inherent quality of any individual, whether in
business or society for various reasons described below. Ethics is important to business in
general and with HR manager in particular.

 Ethics is need
 Public image
 Values; the cementing force
 Facilitates decision making
 Ethics and profits walk hand in hand
 Low limits, Ethics stimulate
 Contribution to human welfare
 Protection of social interest
 Recognition of neighbors and competitions
 Respect to Employees
 Balancing all stake holders’ interests

Ethics is a need:

Everyone wishes to be ethical all through life. This is a fundamental need of a human being
following the satisfaction of physiology needs. He lives to be ethical on home and also on the place
of work. He endorses the fact that these decisions taken by him, as a part of his duty, might affect
number of people. Over and above this, he, as an HR manager wants to be a proud employee of that
organization which is highly respected and adored that organization by his ethical acts. This feelings,
far and wide, force the organization to go ethical.

Public image:

Organization with quality products and services, enjoy higher positions compared to their
competitors. An organization which is perceived by public as honest, considerate and ethical

5|Page
responsive receives greater benefaction from people. To attain this status, organization prefer go with
set norms.

6|Page