Having a workplace culture that’s built on trust and transparency can improve employee engagement and commitment. There’s no doubt that strong ethics are imperative to the stability of a workplace’s culture and the company’s success. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, company cultures across the globe were already evolving, however, the pandemic increased this momentum. Now more than ever, a pleasant and ethical atmosphere within an organisation has become a priority for most employers in what’s called a “culture shift.” Initiating this culture shift has become complex because more employees have been asked to work from home, or the company has created a hybrid work model. There are plenty of ways to create an ethical workplace that covers all types of working environments. Read on to find out more.

Lead by example

One of the most significant ways that companies can demonstrate motivation to create an ethical workplace culture is to ensure that company owners, managers, and top leaders lead by example. Employees often study the behaviour of leaders to determine what is acceptable at work. In this regard, when top executives display ethical behaviour, it sends a positive message to the workforce. Therefore, it’s important that leaders set direction by motivating and helping employees and showing them positive results.

When executives lead by example, they’re able to inspire faith and respect from employees, which in turn, creates a more positive environment. It’s therefore imperative that company leaders are mindful of the fact that they’re being observed and that they display ethical practices. Leaders who work remotely can communicate ethically by sticking to appointments and completing promised tasks timeously and thoroughly. They can also ensure that their home-work environment is quiet and pleasant so that any telephonic or video meetings between co-workers are conducted with respect and professionalism.

Prioritise formal ethics training

Even new working generations still appreciate formal training programs. Ethics training workshops and short courses should thus be used to reinforce a company’s standard of conduct and clarify the types of behaviours that are permissible or unacceptable. These workshops can tackle subjects such as respect in the workplace, healthcare and communication. It might also be to your benefit to conduct a workshop on how to maintain company culture while working remotely since many employees who are new to the concept of working from home will need further clarity on what’s expected of them - which is what brings us to our last piece of advice:

Communication

Organisations that have affirmed an official code of ethics will have the advantage of sharing a clear message of the expectations for their employees. Ideally, a code of ethics should clearly outline the employer’s primary values and ethical rules including attitude, behaviour, and general communication. If this code of ethics can be shared with candidates during the recruitment process, even better. This way, you’ll be confirming your expectations before hiring your candidates. Good communication is a key quality of a business with strong ethics – and effective communication practices lead to a more efficient and healthier workplace, as it enables everyone to perform at their best.

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