Behavior Trends

Behavior Trends

The modern era has brought forth some amazing breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology. Some of these breakthroughs were designed to eliminate the tedium of work, increase productivity and thus create a utopian work environment - free from all stress. Even though technology has made some things easier it has created more stress and more work for others. It has shortened the time period in which a person can comfortably make a complex decision which may cause a poor decision or an unethical decision.

For instance, I am now on call 24/7 via the cell phone and the wireless e-mailing system. Even though the cell phone has many positive attributes it can also have some negative features as well.

Cell phones are a great tool to use to stay in constant communication with the corporation and to stem the tide of an ongoing problem which left unchecked could become out-of-control very quickly. However, the same cell phone breads mediocrity amongst the associates. Instead of the front-line managers deciding on a course of action for a problem - they just call the district manager and use their ideas. Because of the easy and open access to the district manager, associates are losing the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

This causes some manager's to feel connected to the information highway at all times. It is if you can never complete an assignment before another assignment is due. This pressure of doing more with less is beginning to show in corporate America. More and more associates are not taking their complete vacations. The latest statistics show Americans are shortening their vacation time by two days - nobody wants to look like a slacker.

Technology can also free and empower the user by increasing productivity, exchanging ideas and information world-wide. However, this same empowerment can overwhelm and place impossible demands on the associate's time; it can also distract them from completing assignments and cause stress.

With this added stress, more and more managers are making decisions without the proper time to process all of the information. A manager must take the time to review the company's code of ethics and all of the pertinent information involved with the problem before making a decision.

Making ethical decisions is a blueprint on how to live your corporate and personal life. Making ethical decisions is a distinction between certain choices we have - whether it is to further your career, receive a job opportunity or purchase a new house. It is the day-to-day choices that determine our ethical fortitude - to make ethical and sound decisions is not always easy.

The Josephine Institute of Ethics advocates that ethical decision making is based on six attributes such are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship (responsible participation