Monday, November 10, 2008

Ethics

I am a human resources manager of a healthcare staffing agency. My company is owned by a very large corporation that owns numerous hospitals throughout the country. I hire nurses as often as possible and provide them with an orientation before they can actually start working. I would think most large companies do the same thing.

Part of our orientation includes a segment on ethics. Each new employee needs to receive an hour of ethics training upon hire and each current employee needs to come back annually for an ethics refresher. Isn't it amazing that this even needs to be done at all?

Why do we have to "teach" people to be nice to their coworkers because every position is vital to the success of any facility? Why do we need to teach people to bring their concerns to the appropriate management-level person if they feel they are being treated unfairly, rather than "stir the pot" with their coworkers? Why do we need to encourage people to be honest with their interactions so they serve as a real mentor and help others grow?

Didn't we all learn this stuff as kids? Did we forget it along the way? What happened along the way that we would forget the basics like kindness, honesty, integrity and respect? I'm sure the majority of people have not forgotten. I guess we teach these things for the few that don't remember ethical behavior. Because one person can make a difference.

8 comments:

Kay said...

You're so right, Joyce. I see more people being nice here in the islands because it's the culture but still, I've run into a younger person or two who could have used that training. I wonder to myself why they weren't taught at home.

Anonymous said...

JC -

I couldn't agree with you more, but, as we've both seen over many years people can be rude, cruel to others and just plain nasty. Fortunately not everyone is that way but there are too many that are that messes things up for the rest of us. Love your post

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Hi Joyce, I am sad to say it but I don't think alot of people are taught this at home. It seems nothing is taught at home much anymore.So sad.
Yesterday hunny bunny and I were eating at Captain D's and there was a g.mother and her g.son there eating too.He loked about 5 yrs. old. I could not believe how this child ( monster ) acted. He accidently knocked his food off into the floor, so she picked it up. He then took his hand and slung it in the floor and was screaming and crying like crazy. She got him and spanked him right there . We were the only one's in there. It's all I could do to keep from standing up and applauding her ! But that didn't stop him, he broke loose from her and hauled off and whamed her a good one on the butt. If he had of left with me,I guarantee you I would have been the only one with a smile on my face! I could't believe that child.
Alot of these kids now are so rude.I cant' believe how they act. Oh well thats what happens when there is no discipline. I'll get off my soap box now LOL.

myaliasgigi said...

AMEN TO THAT JOYCE---

It's exactly how I feel (As you know).So many co-workers play the
"Games" instead of just being nice to each other. Most of them have a big smile on their face but behind your back their stabbing you over and over again. That's one thing I miss about working with you Joyce, You were always honest and we always got along. If something was bothering me you always knew it..I really miss that. I am so glad I am not the only one that feels this way..GREAT BLOG TODAY..

Glenda said...

Well this is my opinion. No we all didn't learn this growing up. I have worked around people that weren't even taught table manners. So not everyone has been taught the same. Some people grew up with the lack of parental training, and this includes people that grew up in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Not everyone had the teaching that there are ways to iron out concerns or deal with confrontations or problem solve things without getting others involved or not blaming others for their mistakes.

So, it is frustrating when you see this necessary to do, but you have to remember there are all types of people from different backgrounds and values that make is necessary.

Ok, I am off my soap box.

Ciao

rachel said...

i didn't really understand the big words in this post. but i know you have a great job! and its always fun when i come to work with you occassionally (:

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Sometimes I think we baby boomers did a terrible job of raising our kids because some of them are now awful parents. Maybe we wanted so much for our kids to be happy and we forgot to teach them that you don't always get (or need) everything you want. I've sure seen lots of parents who are too scared of upsetting their children to actually be parents.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Joyce,
Right is right, wrong is wrong..just that simple.
It's a lobster..:) I don't see any stinger on it, so I say it's a lobster:) I had to catch up on your posts.
Deb