Ethics

When Organizations Lack Real Commitment to E&C Every Chief Compliance Officer wants to be on the same page as the C-Suite and board of directors when it comes to a commitment to ethics and compliance. Without experience working inside the organization, however, it is difficult to tell the difference between a company that truly values the E&C program and one...

Ethics experts from Bentley University's Center for Business Ethics discuss several reasons why businesses should have values-driven management, as well as give you a good starting point for implementing values-driven management in your company.

All of us are faced by those moments when doing what’s right is very different from doing what’s easy or what would be the most profitable. Ask yourself what you would do in some of these business situations. Then, ask yourself what you've done.

2017 is shaping up to be the year of populism in the U.S. This has direct implications for compliance, HR and diversity professionals. If diversity is a key driver of business competitiveness, how do you create a culture of ethics, respect and inclusion amidst this rising tide of populism?

It may come as a surprise, but “ethics” has a negative connotation for many in a business context. Similarly, the compliance profession is often viewed negatively, as impinging on employees’ freedom. But those of us on the inside have an entirely different perspective, thinking of compliance as synonymous with integrity. Is it time, then, to rebrand the profession?

Companies with a strong culture of ethics have a real competitive edge in the marketplace. Often these organizations outperform the competition in productivity while also enjoying a lower rate of employee misconduct. Culture may be difficult to measure, but CCOs should focus on continually improving the corporate culture – it’s the company’s most important control.

While it’s vital to have leadership on board in order to have a strong culture of ethics and compliance, an organization must also have the right mechanisms in place so that the team can do their jobs well. Captain Sullenberger was able to land Flight 1549 safely because he had the advantage of a prepared and well-trained staff AND appropriate...

The importance of planning is no more apparent than in times of crises. In 2009, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger landed Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after both of the plane’s engines failed. A few weeks later, in a formal address to the House, he lauded the virtue of preparedness – both for the risks that can be anticipated and the...

If you know a colleague is taking questionable shortcuts in an attempt to deliver strong performance, and you say nothing, does that make you an accomplice?

There are a number of reasons an employee might resort to bribery – some are out of the company’s control, but some aren’t. If your organization has had an issue with corruption, the problem could be corporate culture. Then again, ignorance can’t be ruled out as a cause. Of course, neither case is excusable, as both are preventable.

It can be instructive to pore over past corporate scandals and infamous ethical lapses, but the more productive course of action is building and maintaining a strong culture of ethics and compliance. A chief compliance officer’s role here is critical, but this is a feat he can’t accomplish alone. Senior leaders and middle manager have to be on board, too.

Incentives are having a significant and now measurable impact on corporate conduct and individual ethical behavior. Is it time for a mine sweep?