Phl 323 - Personal Ethics Development Paper

Personal Ethics Development Paper

PHL/323

Personal Ethics Development Paper

Personal ethics come from a system of ethical principles that a person may use to make decisions. Personal ethics guide everyday behavior for individuals. My personal ethic's system has grown and matured over the years. My personal ethic system has developed over the past 24 years from my family members, church, and God. Decision-making is based from my ethical system and is revised as needed with time. My day-to-day performance either at work or in life is guided by personal ethics. Organization ethics in the workplace are decided upon by each organization. Each organization may have ethical principles imbedded in there mission statement or employee handbook that outlines their ethical codes of conduct. The effect of ethical systems has a direct effect on individuals of that organization and society. Ethics help guide organizations to achieve their goals and help manage their employees by supporting them with rules to follow based on the code of conduct that includes ethical principles.

Personal ethics are matured over years and shaped by the environment and individuals around each person. My personal ethics came from my parents growing up and was also influenced by friends through high school years. While attending college and meeting my husband my ethical principles were further shaped by him, church, and God. I believe that my character would include trustworthiness, responsible, loving, caring, respectful, empathy, faith, practical, and confident. My character would use those characteristics to guide my moral actions. I believe in a Bible quote that helps shape my everyday choices. Matthew verse seven chapter 12 states, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets," (Biblica, 2011, para. 1). This is also known as the Golden Rule. I believe that my ethics system is guided by this bible verse in that how I treat others I would want the same treatment in return. Ethics is considered, "the principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing an individual or organization," (Trevino & Nelson, 2007, p. 13). My principles come from my religion and are also shaped by the individuals around me. The norms are also from my religion and shaped by the laws of our society. My values and morals are also guided by my religion, but sometimes things that are money driven can affect my values. Although I believe that values are embedded in each of us, things of money can guide change those values. I try my best to maintain my morals and values in a way that would please God and that is unselfish, while also being able to maintain right and wrong with daily actions. Working as a nurse has also shaped my personal ethic development. Each day I am faced with ethical decisions and I must use my ethical system to guide my actions. I must think about what is right and wrong when completing those actions. My ethics are not only bound by my personal morals and values, but the organization that I work for and the license that I must maintain to practice as a nurse. I also believe strongly in my organizations' mission to provide sacred work. Their mission of sacred work is to share Gods love with our community by providing physical, mental, and spiritual healing (San Joaquin Community Hospital, 2011). Their mission guides our ethical behaviors and expected actions as an employee that is also outlined in the employee handbook. That mission statement has helped to not only shape my ethical system as an employee, but also my ethical decisions as an individual outside of work.

Ethical systems in the workplace