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7: What Employees Owe Employers

  • Page ID
    2649
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    • 7.0: Introduction
      The chapter explores the ethical responsibilities employees have towards coworkers, the company, and themselves. It emphasizes the importance of understanding differing opinions and maintaining loyalty while balancing personal values. It poses ethical dilemmas such as handling workplace harassment, recruitment by former colleagues, uncovering managerial misconduct, and dealing with difficult clients, highlighting the need for ethical decision-making in maintaining a positive work environment.
    • 7.1: Loyalty to the Company
      This section discusses employee responsibilities to companies, focusing on loyalty, confidentiality, and non-compete agreements. It highlights how the employee-employer relationship has evolved, noting differing concepts of loyalty across generations and the effects of economic phenomena like retirement plan changes on this loyalty. The duty of loyalty requires employees to prioritize the company's interests over personal gain.
    • 7.2: Loyalty to the Brand and to Customers
      The section outlines the impact of employees on branding and customer service. It emphasizes that positive employee engagement helps build and sustain a company???s brand, as seen in Cisco's social media initiatives and American Express's focus on employee satisfaction. However, negative employee actions, such as those of Taco Bell and Domino's staff, can damage a brand's reputation.
    • 7.3: Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere
      The page discusses the importance of getting along with coworkers and the responsibilities of employees to create a harmonious workplace. It highlights the benefits of maintaining open-mindedness, kindness, and respect among colleagues, and warns against inappropriate behavior, such as making offensive jokes or gossiping. It also covers understanding personalities, handling workplace violence, and adhering to codes of conduct.
    • 7.4: Financial Integrity
      The section outlines employees' responsibilities in handling financial ethical dilemmas, including insider trading and bribery. Insider trading involves illegal stock trading based on nonpublic information and often undermines market integrity. Notable cases exemplify legal consequences, including hefty fines and incarceration. Bribery, especially in international business, is addressed by laws like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, highlighting the ethical challenges employees face.
    • 7.5: Criticism of the Company and Whistleblowing
      This page covers the ethical and legal responsibilities of employees regarding criticism of employers and whistleblowing. It describes the shift in pay secrecy laws, employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act, and limitations of the First Amendment in the workplace. The page highlights cases like Adrian Duane's social media criticism and whistleblower stories such as Sherron Watkins with Enron and Sallie Krawcheck with Merrill Lynch.
    • 7.6: Summary
      The text covers various aspects of employee responsibilities towards employers, including loyalty to the company and brand, maintaining a positive work atmosphere, and demonstrating financial integrity. It discusses the importance of respecting company rules regarding confidential information, conflicts of interest, and competition. Employees are encouraged to treat customers well and create a respectful workplace.


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