In a well-established company, there was a dedicated and hardworking employee named Sarah. She had a reputation for her strong work ethics and unwavering commitment to the company’s values and ethical standards. One day, Sarah noticed something unusual. She observed a colleague, David, engaging in corrupt practices. David was involved in manipulating financial records to make the company’s financial performance appear better than it was. He did this to receive higher bonuses and secure his position within the organization.

Daniel 6:4-9 KJV

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

Sarah was torn between her loyalty to the company and her commitment to workplace ethics. She knew that what David was doing was unethical and illegal. It put the company’s reputation and financial stability at risk. She also realised that exposing David’s actions might lead to severe consequences for him. Sarah decided to consult with her supervisor, Princess, who was known for her firm adherence to workplace ethics. Princess listened attentively to Sarah’s concerns and was grateful that Sarah had come forward.

Princess took immediate action, launching an internal investigation into David’s activities. The investigation found that David had engaged in unethical and illegal behaviours, resulting in the termination of his employment and possible legal consequences. The company also took steps to rectify the manipulated financial records and committed to improving its internal controls to prevent such future incidents.

The illustration above highlights the importance of workplace ethics and how employees who adhere to ethical standards can play a critical role in maintaining integrity and trust within an organisation. In a professional context, workplace ethics refers to the moral values and standards governing behaviour and conduct within an organisation or business setting. It plays a crucial role in establishing a fundamental level of trust between employees and various organisational stakeholders.

There are fundamental core ethical values every Christian professional must not compromise in discharging their duties. These values go for every professional who is passionate about pursuing the corporate vision rather than individual benefits. Some of these are:

1. Integrity: Workplace ethics prioritize honesty, truthfulness, and adherence to high moral standards. Employees are expected to prioritize this value, maintaining consistency in their words and actions.
2. Respect: Respect for individuals’ rights, dignity, and diversity is fundamental to workplace ethics. This involves treating all employees and stakeholders fairly, regardless of their background or characteristics.
3. Accountability: Employees are responsible for their actions and decisions. They are to take ownership of their work and answer for the consequences.
4. Transparency: Open and honest communication is a hallmark of workplace ethics. Transparency ensures that employees are well-informed about decisions, policies, and any potential ethical concerns within the organisation.
5. Ethical Leadership: Ethical leaders set the tone for the organisation by modelling ethical behaviour, fostering an ethical culture, and holding themselves accountable for upholding ethical standards. Whether leading a team of three or leading the whole organisation, leaders must mirror the exact behaviour they want to see in the employees.
6. Code of Conduct: Many organisations have a clearly defined code of conduct that outlines the ethical principles and rules employees are expected to follow. This code serves as a guide for behaviour in the workplace and must be strictly obeyed.
7. Decision-Making: Workplace ethics encourage employees to make ethical decisions when faced with moral dilemmas. It often involves considering the potential consequences of one’s actions and choosing the morally correct course.
8. Reporting and Whistleblowing: Encouraging employees to report unethical behaviour or violations of ethics is a critical feature of workplace ethics. Whistleblower protection ensures that individuals can report concerns without fear of retaliation.

As a professional who desires to uphold ethical values, Christian culture, and values in the workplace, we must regularly remind ourselves that these values should not be compromised. Just as our good actions glorify God and increase our reputation, our inactions can result otherwise.

In Daniel 6:4-9 (KJV), Daniel’s faithfulness and absence of fault underscores the powerful impact of maintaining a high ethical conduct. Just as Daniel’s commitment to ethics shielded him from harm, upholding workplace ethics can safeguard individuals and organisations from the negative consequences of unethical behaviour, fostering trust, integrity, and success in the modern professional world.