Professional ethics

Supervisory Training Series: Developing EmployeesKevin R.Thomas, Manager,Training & Development · Office of Human Resources · [email protected] · 413-597-3542

December 2016

[email protected]

Manager, Training and DevelopmentOffice of Human Resources

Presented by Kevin R. Thomas

Supervisory Training SeriesProfessional Ethics


What are Professional Ethics?


What are Ethics?

• a set of moral standards that are relied upon to reach conclusions and make decisions.• well-founded standards of right and wrong, that describe what people ought to do• Explained in terms of:

– Rights– Obligations– Benefits to society– Fairness– Specific virtues


What are the practical benefits of behaving ethically?


What are the practical benefits of behaving ethically?

• Risk mitigation• Reputation


What are some of the most common forms of unethical behavior in the workplace?


What are some of the most common forms of unethical behavior in the workplace?

• https://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Common-ethical-issues/379032/457764-4.html?org=williams.edu

https://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Common-ethical-issues/379032/457764-4.html?org=williams.edu







With your partner tell a story of a time when:• You or someone you

know were harmed by the unethical behavior of a company• You or someone you

know benefited from the high integrity of a company.

Story Time


• Moral values are abstract ideals that mean a lot of things to a lot of people• Examples include

integrity, respect, inclusiveness, trust, and justice.• It’s important to define

what behaviors do and do not represent those values.

Values and Behaviors


Encouraged Behaviors Unacceptable Behaviors

Doing what you say you will do.

Doing one thing, saying another.

Communicate openly and genuinely

Concealing the truth

Exercising discretion and keeping confidentiality.

Spreading rumors.

Example: Integrity

Click icon to add picture


• At your tables, pick a value• On the Flip Chart, write the

name of the value at the top

• On the left side of the page, write examples of encouraged behaviors

• On the right side of the page, write examples of unacceptable behaviors

Your Turn


• The specific commitments you make to uphold values in your profession.• Example in child care:

Ethical Commitments

To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strengths and competencies, and learn from families as we support them in their task of nurturing children.


• With your partner, discuss the specific ethical commitments that are important in your profession.

Your Turn


• Professional Ethics Checklist

Supporting Ethical Behavior in Your Team



• Identify the violation• Investigate &

document• Act

Steps to Dealing with Ethics Violations



What do you know about the professional ethics framework at Williams?


What do you know about the professional ethics framework at Williams?

• Code of conduct policy• Conflict of interest• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of

2002: Managers are accountable for the actions of those they manage.


Where can professional ethics violations be reported?


Where can professional ethics violations be reported?

Your own supervisor, or if that’s not appropriate:• Director of Human Resources• Provost• Dean of the Faculty• Vice President for Institutional

Diversity & Equity• Vice President for Finance and

Administration• Chair of the Audit Committee of the

Board of Trustees.


Confronting unethical behavior involves facing threats to :• Status• Belonging

Beware:• Denial• Minimizing• Checking out

Moral Hazards



With your partner tell a story of a time when:• Your ethical

commitments were tested.

Story Time


Links coming via email:

Contact Kevin Thomas at 413-597-3542or email [email protected]

Supervisory Training SeriesProfessional Ethics

Questions?

• Course page link to all course materials• Program evaluation link, feedback welcome

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