What is HR’s Role in Ethics?

By hrlineup | 25.11.2020

The workplace is full of pressures and this often results in employee misconduct. In these instances, the HR officers need to be clear about what is ethical and what is unethical in the organisation. Ethics define what is right and wrong and guide the way that employees should behave while they are at work. Ethical companies can gain great clients which translate directly into higher revenues and profits.

HR ethical duty begins from the hiring process. All new employees require background checks to ensure that they have integrity and can add positively to the morale in the workplace. Here are some guidelines on the role of ethics in human resource management.

  • Identification of Unethical Behaviour

HR plays a role in outlining what constitutes unethical behaviour. This encompasses a range of circumstances including conflicts of interest, discrimination, harassment, going against company policy. racism and more. These behaviours need to be available for reference for all employees so that they are aware of ethical boundaries.

  • Building the Organisational Culture

Fostering a culture of communication is important. This includes ensuring whistle-blowers are protected should they expose unethical behaviour. Furthermore, the personal information of all employees, such as their medical records, should be kept confidential by the HR officers. This is in line with legal requirements, and also ensures that employees develop a culture of trust and respect for ethics in the workplace.

  • Resolving Ethical Conflicts

HR has a role in ensuring all conflicts are authentic and taking steps to resolve the issues. A system outlined in the employee handbook should be available, as well as an officer to handle the reports. Complaints should be in categories depending on which rules have been broken, and how they are to be addressed. The outcomes should also be subject to review for the full conclusion of any ethical conflicts.

  • Encouraging Reports of Misconduct

The best way to determine if there is anything unethical happening in the workplace is to ensure that there is a conducive environment for employees to report misconduct. HR is responsible for creating and enforcing compliance principles at all levels of the business. Furthermore, HR also needs to put

 Ethical issues in human resources are more than simply ensuring that everyone keeps to the rules and regulations of the company. They also include building a diverse workforce that fosters inclusion. Furthermore, upholding ethics offers a basis for HR officers to address issues like sexual harassment, unequal payment and more.

Ethical challenges in human resources should always be treated as urgent. This is because ignoring them can result in significant costs for the organisation in their running expenses, as well as through legal issues.

Business ethics in human resource management requires excellent knowledge of labour and compliance laws. The most frequent ethical issues arise from both these laws, especially when it comes to discrimination. Leaders in HR are the moral compass of the business and have to be professional and ethical in how they deal with any challenges. This is especially important when handling issues raised against high-level managers and employees. No matter who the employee is, the HR needs to be fair and make ethical decisions consciously and competently.