Writing Your Code of Ethics

•Your code of ethics should contain clear, understandable, fair guidelines.

•For this project, include a section for each of the following:

•Customer treatment

•Employee behavior

•Community responsibility

Writing Your Code of Ethics

Your document should contain the following:

1. Give a title

2. Label each section

• Example: Customer Treatment

3. Number or bullet items

4. Provide examples of the policy statements to clarify any questions.

Customer TreatmentSome examples include:

1. Treat customer with respect--You want their business• How do you handle questionable returns?

• What do you do if you think the customer is not truthful about an issue?

• How are refunds handled—cash, store credit, etc.

• Do you have public restrooms?

2. Notify customers of possible dangers with products you have sold• How will you make customers aware of recalls.

• What will you do if you have items that are questionable in your business?

Customer Treatment

3. Handle disputes about products/services fairly.• Try to see the customer’s side.

• Is it every appropriate to argue with a customer?

4. Think of situations you have encountered, and develop a policy for that situation.

Employee Behavior

Some examples include:1. Attendance policy

If you have sick leave, how much? How do you plan for vacation time? What do you do when 2 people want

the same week? What holidays will you honor? Any plans for religious holiday? How do you handle tardiness?

Employee Behavior

2. Cell phone and/or private calls Can an employee have a cell phone

while working? How will the number of private calls be

monitored? Can cells phones be on during

meetings?

Employee Behavior

3. Dress codes What is appropriate dress for your

workplace? Can employees have body piercings

and/or tattoos? What type of dress is not appropriate? Will the company furnish any type of

required dress?

Employee Behavior

3. Reprimand policy How will you handle employees in

violation of code of ethics? Write up Demerits Dock pay

Is there an appeal process to a reprimand?

What rights does the employee have? Who will hear an appeal?

Community Responsibility

How will you encourage employees to support the community?

1. Will you match contributions to community organizations?Which ones will you support?Is there a limit to your contribution?

Community Responsibility

2. Do you encourage community participation and give monetary support?

Will your provide a coach and uniforms for a softball team?

Can employees participate in a Walk-a-Thon for March of Dimes and provide a contribution from the company?

Community Responsibility

3. Will you provide goods/services to charitable organizations? Can employees donate time to

charitable organization? Do you provide a product that could be

of benefit to an organization in your community?

Community Responsibility

4. What can your small business do to make your community a better place?

Will you sponsor a blood drive? How can you benefit the schools in

your area? How can you encourage your

employees to volunteer in their community?

Write Your Code of Ethics

Using the information in this Using the information in this presentation as a guide, you are presentation as a guide, you are now ready to write a code of ethics.now ready to write a code of ethics.

Remember that each code written Remember that each code written must be clear and concise so that it must be clear and concise so that it is understood by everyone is understood by everyone involved.involved.

Be sure to use good grammar Be sure to use good grammar skills.skills.