Ethics Program for Company X, Essay Example

The Company X ethics for standards and procedures are fundamental to the values of the employees, management, betterment of the company, stake holders, investors, clients, third parties, as well as the public image. Under these standards and procedures for ethics, must be elements of both acceptable and unacceptable behavior serving as the foundation for the ethics regulations for Company X. It is because of the behavioral elements—acceptable and unacceptable—that Company X is able to function on a daily basis with adequacy and competence in a way that is effective for business while at the very same time providing a healthy, safe, comfortable, and ethical working environment for everybody involved with the company.

Maintaining a presentable appearance in the working environment of Company X is an essential element in keeping high standards for the public image of the company. Clients, potential clients, as well as other investors must feel confidence in the employees of Company X and a presentable image plays a significant role in projecting that feeling of confidence. This is why the first element of the standards and procedures for the ethics of Company X will be a dress code for all employees, regardless of rank or position. Company X is a white collar firm and must be able to present this image through the dress code of its employees.

With all reasons of public image and presentation to clients, as well as fellow employees, being considered, the required dress code for Company X’s standards and procedures are as follows. The Male employees shall dress to work wearing appropriate dress slacks, a collared, buttoned dress shirt, an appropriate dress belt, a neck tie, appropriate dress shoes, as well as an appropriate suit jacket or blazer. The shirt must be tucked in and the tie must be worn appropriately. Regarding the colors and patterns for the male suits, they must be conservative to make for a professional appearance. Examples of unacceptable suit attire may be, but not limited to, unusually bright or mismatching colors or flashy designs and patterns. Male employees are not permitted to wear any facial jewelry of any kind including but not limited to, earrings, nose rings, eye lid rings, tongue piercings, or lip piercings.

The female employees of Company X shall dress to work wearing any appropriate dress or female suit. Regarding the female suit; although females are not required to wear a neck tie, they shall not expose excessive cleavage. Female employees shall wear appropriate dress shoes whether they wear a suit or a dress, although they are not required to be high heels. Dresses must be appropriate in not exposing any cleavage or midriff. Regarding the colors and patterns for the female dresses or suits, they must be conservative to make for a professional appearance. Examples of unacceptable dresses or suit attires may be, but not limited to, unusually bright or mismatching colors or flashy designs and patterns. Female employees are only permitted to wear earrings, just as long as they are conservative and not excessive or flashy. All other facial piercings are prohibited for use of female employees including but not limited to nose rings, eye lid rings, tongue piercings, or lip piercings.

The next element of the standards and procedures for Company X is the grooming standards. These required grooming standards are simple, fair, professional, and presentable to investors, clients, as well as fellow employees. Grooming standards play a significant role in conjunction with the dress code to make for a professional appearance. Male employees must maintain a natural color, conservative and professional looking haircut. A facial mustache is permitted just as long as it is not excessive. A conservative beard is permitted as long as it is presentable at the discretion of upper management. Female employees must maintain a conservative and professional looking hair style. Unacceptable hair styles for female employees include but are not limited to unnatural coloring, flashy styling, and excessive use of hair accessories.

The next element of the standards and procedures for Company X pertains to that of ethical behavior. Proper ethical behavior for employees means that all employees must act with integrity, honesty, competence, diligence, and respect. All actions must maintain an ethical manner with fellow employees, clients, colleagues, as well as other participants in the company. All employees must exercise both collaborative and independent professional judgement in all work related activities. All employees must practice as well as encourage others to follow the ethical behavior standards and procedures established by Company X. Examples of unacceptable behavior may include but not limited to, cheating, stealing, embezzlement, dishonesty, disobedience, incompetence. Both state and federal laws must be followed at all times whether on or off the job.

The final element of the standards and procedures for Company X pertains to sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, discrimination, and racism. All employees and prospective employees at Company X, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, have an equal opportunity to be successful in the company. Sexual harassment among employees, management, and clients is unacceptable and carries a zero tolerance policy. At no time, shall any employee, prospective employee, or client be discriminated or evaluated based on their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Any proof of such behavior will lead to immediate termination of company contract and possible legal charges.

As a part of the ethics standards for Company X, there will be a mandatory training program required for all new employees. There are three specific components to the training program that all new employees must undergo. After undergoing the three components of the training program, there will be a required test for each individual component that they must pass in order to receive their company ethics training certificate. Once management receives confirmation that all three tests were passed, the employee will be issued their ethics certificate. The company ethics training certificate must be obtained within the first 120 days of employment otherwise employees risk being re-evaluated for their position in Company X.

There will be a small team within Company X management who specialize in all components of the ethics training to conduct and facilitate the training programs. Each component of the ethics training program will comprise of 30 days of training each. Employees may choose to undergo each program separately or concurrently depending on their work load and personal schedules. The first component to the ethics training program will be the training of ethical behavior. There will be study materials and lectures on the lessons of ethical behavior within Company X.

The next component to the ethic training will be through a communication program. Company X is a leading firm in investment management and it is mandatory that all employees are able to communicate with confidence to company clients, prospective investors, as well as their fellow employees. There will be study materials and lectures pertaining to the lessons of speech and communication in unique and likely situations. Employees in the communications training program will learn how to communicate appropriately through speech and writing. Employees in the communications program will practice their newly acquired communications skills amongst each other.

The final component of the ethics training program will pertain to work environment safety. Work safety is an essential component to the betterment of Company X as well as the safety of each employee. Factors of work environment safety such as stress, safety hazards, illness or disease hazards, and emergency protocol will be covered in this portion of the ethics training program. There will be study materials, lectures, and mock emergency scenarios that all employees must undergo as a part of the company ethics training.

All employees at Company X are being monitored by management and the ethics training board. All official documents are audited and reviewed for potential errors, mistypes, mistakes, inaccuracies, and fraud. All behavior is monitored and kept in check through the interactions of management as well as fellow employees. Any and all violations in any of the standards and procedures or failure to maintain the required behavior learned in the ethical training lessons as well as the employee ethics handbook are constantly being looked for so that appropriate discipline may be executed to eliminate such unacceptable behavior. Every employee within Company X is required to monitor each other for any violations in the ethics standards and regulations.

Any violations in ethical standards and regulations are required to be reported to management so an investigation may be opened and any employees involved may undergo evaluation in front of the ethical training board. Employees may report misconduct or any violations in ethical standards and regulations anonymously to the ethical training board. An anonymous message or phone call to the ethics training board may be an appropriate means of reporting misconduct or violations. Employees are taught how to go about this during training. All employees are protected under the Company X whistle blower protection standard and shall not be penalized in any way for reporting misconduct or violations in ethical standards.

It is necessary that the new ethical standards program for Company X undergo evaluation to measure its effectiveness and look for any improvements or modifications. The number of violations reports will be counted and compared against the numbers of each evaluation period. There are two mandatory evaluation periods every year for the company ethics program. This means that twice a year, the entire ethics program will be evaluated for effectiveness and outcomes. The ethics training board will conduct the majority of the review. However, every employee will be required to complete a survey twice a year presenting their perspectives, opinions, and recommendations on the company ethics program.

Any necessary improvements will be implemented at the start of each evaluation period. Any changes will be communicated through a revision of the company ethics handbook as well as emails to employees containing information regarding the changes in the ethics program. It will be mandatory that all employees respond to the emails stating that they understand and agree with the changes in the company ethics program.