I was having a conversation ith a former coworker
@DocAndersen (54402)
United States
February 19, 2019 6:30am CST
She has taken a new role in a company where I used to work, and she still does. We exchanged pleasantries (she reached out to me) and caught up. Her husband and children are doing well. I shared the same for my family.
She has taken a new role in the company.
She is now an ethics officer.
She asked me what I thought about the state of Ethics in her company, but also more broadly she wanted to discuss ethics in the world at large.
I asked her what she felt ethics represented.
Her answer was "Living within the rules and dictums of the organization that you work with and for. Beyond that, when there is a question of law vs. ethics, the law always wins."
What does ethics mean to you?
14 people like this
13 responses
@Kasjnak (4489)
• Romania
19 Feb 19
@DocAndersen yup, and I stick to it 
. The problem is that sometimes we are forced to do things that are not quite in line with our ethics. So, it depends. It happened to me more than once 
.
. The problem is that sometimes we are forced to do things that are not quite in line with our ethics. So, it depends. It happened to me more than once .3 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
@Kasjnak Nice! That is a good outlook
3 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
I think your ethics as stated are fantastic. But you started with it depends, and then you made a hard and fast declaration....
3 people like this
.@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
21 Feb 19
Ethics can be a really hard question. There are not clearly defined lines sometimes.
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171928)
• Agra, India
19 Feb 19
For me, they are the foundation of any human being and his work
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171928)
• Agra, India
20 Feb 19
@DocAndersen I hate liars and can't stand them
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
20 Feb 19
@amitkokiladitya I've always felt that lies are broken into distinct categories.
Lies of convenience (they just don't want to be honest)
Lies to prevent (either stop me from doing or considering something)
Lies of kindness (to prevent me or others from doing something to protect us)
Lies because they can't help it (pathological liers)
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75646)
•
20 Feb 19
@DocAndersen do you still work for a computer company scott?
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
The way we behave, very solid way to look at it!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
20 Feb 19
@Janet357 No I no longer work for a computer company. I do however work for a technology company
1 person likes this
@florelway (23282)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Feb 19
Depending on the environment we are in.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
Interesting. I would argue that ethics are a constant. The only variable is the application of the ethics.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
@florelway But do you adjust to the situation, knowing you aren't acting within your ethics?
1 person likes this
@florelway (23282)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Feb 19
@DocAndersen that's when you have to adjust to the situations.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
23 Feb 19
Ethics to me means a lot of things depending on the situation. If it is for work, it means people who dedicate their time to their job, and try to do the Best they know how no matter what it takes. In other things in Life I would deem it as respect. Being able to show that is one thing not many can do without being offensive.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
19 Feb 19
My ethics are simple in theory: always trust others, don't hurt anyone, live one's life without telling others how to live theirs. Remember I started with 'in theory'! LOL
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
in theory is the reality of application, nice ethical start though!
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
I agree, it can be very difficult at times.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (19858)
• United States
19 Feb 19
I think doing the right thing is my ethics rule.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
Do the right thing is a great way going forward!!!!
2 people like this
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
19 Feb 19
Rules and laws are not always a great guide on what is ethical. Certainly there are many things that are legal, and not specifically forbidden by any rule that are not ethical. Basically, you should treat people the way you want to be treated.
As far as when there is a conflict between the law and ethics "the law always wins" had to be the answer from someone who is ethics officer, that's her job to keep the company out of trouble.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
19 Feb 19
That is an excellent thought - yes her job is to walk that line between what is right (ethics) and sometimes what is legal.
Love the thinking!!!
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5191)
• Philippines
21 Feb 19
Ethics for me is for you to know the mannerism towards others and value respect to mankind as a human being.
1 person likes this
