Codes of Ethics Education and Training

Create a company code of ethics that reflects your organization's values and principles.

A professional code of ethics tells the public and your employees what your company stands for and values, and how it intends to operate. A business ethics code also ensures all employees use the same approach for everything from dealing with clients and customers to creating new policies. Codes of ethics in business often share a similar structure, and there will likely be principles common to all codes no matter what industry or size of company they're from. However, one size doesn't fit all when it comes to creating business codes of ethics, so training can help you write a code specific to your organization. Training can also help you teach your employees about ethics and about following your company ethics code.

Codes of ethics education and training options include:

1. Training in your industry's ethical standards
2. Implementing company-wide ethics training
3. Hiring a consultant to train you in writing a company code of ethics
   

 

Take business ethics codes training specific to your industry

Before you write a code of ethics for your company or organization, receive training in the ethical standards for your industry. You can use these as a framework for your group's guidelines.
Try: The National Association of REALTORS offers an online codes of ethics course which is required for all association members. The course takes approximately two and half hours, and can be completed all at once or in sections. The National Association of Social Workers, through its Office of Ethics and Professional Review, will develop and provide customized ethics training to its chapters -- for free.

Use employee ethics training to ensure your staff understands and follows your ethics code

Help your staff understand every aspect of creating and following a code of ethics by providing company-wide ethics training. With online training, you can easily deliver the content to each person in your organization.
Try: Brightline Compliance offers online ethics training and workplace employee compliance training through its Code of Conduct course. The course is customized for each business and employee, starting with a risk assessment by Brightline's attorneys, who will your company's ethics code of conduct. Global Compliance also offers online ethics training courses that start with a risk analysis for your company and customized training materials.

Hire a consultant to provide training in writing professional codes of ethics

For more in-depth and intensive instruction, you can hire an ethics consultant to assist you in writing an ethics code. They can evaluate your current code, if you have one, and tell you how to make it stronger. If you don't already have a code of ethics, a consultant can help you determine what principles are at the core of your organization's ethical standards.
Try: The Ethical Leadership Group handles every aspect of creating an ethics code and structure at your organization, including assessment, communications, training and strategy. The Josephson Institute Center for Business Ethics provides consulting and training in corporate ethics.

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