Compliance vs. Ethics: A Comparative Analysis

Although, the terms compliance and ethics are used interchangeably, in actuality they refer to two different things.

-Compliance: Compliance with laid down procedures and policies, quality standards, and laws. This is actually one of the legal and other regulations that must be followed.
-Ethics: Ethics as the standards of behavior of a person or the business, as well as the regulation of an activity. It is just a cultural idea: it is doing what is right, regardless if it is right in the law or not.

Going Beyond Compliance: Creating an Ethical Culture

Organizations can employ the following measures to go beyond mere compliance and establish an ethical culture:

1. Leadership Commitment:
Lead by Example: Ethics are described and leaders should act ethically as well as show why ethical conduct is important.
Set Clear Expectations: Well establish the code of ethics and ensure that everybody receives a copy.

2. Code of Ethics:
-Create a Code: Formulate an elaborate code of ethics which gives a clear indication of the organizations standard/ETHICS.
Regular Review and Update: It is also recommended to make sure that the code is up to date as and when required whether it is next year, the year after or in two years time.

3. Ethics Training
Mandatory Training: Schedule ethics lessons for all workers on a specific and timely manner.
Scenario-Based Training: Explain to the employee the proper ways of using ethical principles in light of real life examples.

4. Protection for Whistleblowers:
-Safe Environment: Promote ethical behavior reporting culture where employees can report unethical conduct on the organization’s workplace without being punished.
-Confidential Reporting Mechanism: It has been recommended that there should be provided an opportunity for employees to report any worry or problem, but anonymously.

5. Ethical Decision-Making Framework:
-Guide: Discuss how one can model the process of ethical decision making.
-Ethics Discussions: Promote speaking and thinking about ethical issues in any organisation.

6. Performance Evaluation:
-Incorporate Ethics: This should raise ethical behavior to be part and parcel of the performance standards in any given organization.
-Reward Ethical Conduct: Promote those who engage in ethical behaviour.

In ethical considerations of the organization, organizations gain trust and the best reputation within and outside the organization when commitment has been made in establishing an ethical culture.