Current Issues: Business Ethics

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/?s=business+ethics"><strong>website</strong></a>.</p><p><strong>Consequences of breakdown of of ethics</strong><br /> </p><ul><li>The breakdown of ethics in the workplace has dire social and personal consequences:<ul><li>Resentment and ill will</li><li>Ruined relationships</li><li>Deep rationalizations</li><li>Seared consciences</li><li>Cycles of oppression, poverty, and retaliation</li><li>Incidence of crime</li><li>hopes pol</li></ul></li><li>Monday follows Sunday; what we claim to believe in church must be translated into action every day of the week. <br /> </li><li>Judaism unusual for its ethical monotheism:<ul><li>Sabbath broke cycle...... was not just <i>one</i> day for righteous living (Isaiah 58).</li><li>Provision is made for the poor and the oppressed -- all of those at a disadvantage.</li><li>Its prophets spoke truth to power, challenging all those corrupted by the self-directed ethics of the world -- including those wielding illegitimate power, be they priests or even kings.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Passages to ponder</strong></p><ul><li>Lev 19:33-37</li><li>Deut 25:13-16; Proverbs 11:1, 16:11; 20:10,23</li><li><i>Wisdom of Amenemope</i> 16: "Do not lean on the scales nor falsify the weights."</li><li>Amos 8:4-6</li><li>Luke 19:8-9</li></ul><p><strong>Prevalence of compromise</strong></p><ul><li>Abundance of biblical passages suggests there were widespread problems in this area.</li><li>Since cultures vary widely, it is wiser to offer principles, rather than a list of practicals. (All the same, principles <i>are</i>practical!)</li></ul><p><strong>A Dozen Principles</strong></p><ol><li>Pay taxes</li><li>Reject shoddy materials and workmanship (excellence)</li><li>Insist on transparency ("fine print," deception, honor)</li><li>Uphold employee contracts (integrity and clear communication)</li><li>Employee benefits (part of a fair compensation)</li><li>No threats, e.g. implying you might terminate an empl