Soft Skills Module 12 Exploring Ethical Behaviorprofitt.gatech.edu/drupal/sites/default/files/curriculum/Soft Skills Track/Soft Skills...PROFITT Curriculum Module # 12 – Exploring

Soft Skills Module 12

Exploring Ethical Behavior

PROFITT Curriculum Module # 12 – Exploring Ethical Behavior

Soft Skills Module 12-1

Soft Skills Module 12

Exploring Ethical Behavior

Summary

Goal:

Comprehend the concept of professional ethics and apply such standards as the Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics to a home-based business practice as a braille transcriber.

SMART Objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive By the end of this module, students should be able to:

SS12.1: Understand the concept of ethical and unethical behaviors, practices and attitudes. SS12.2: Recognize when and how to maintain confidentiality and integrity on and off the job. SS12.3: Identify personal working standards and behaviors.

Instructor:

Delivery Method(s): Discussion PowerPoint presentation Facilitated activity/discussion Scenario presentation/discussion Guided reflection

Length: Five Lessons A total of 4.5 hours

Any Applicable Business and/or Soft Skills? Business Skills: All aspects of business engagement with customers, other contractors and the community

Corresponding NLS Lesson # This module should be done after the Framing and Internalizing My Values module and be connected with the braille module introducing the Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics.

Take Away Message(s):

The emphasis of this module is ethical behavior and the concept of professional ethics as a microenterprise home-based business.



Instructor Preparation

Title of Module: Exploring Ethical Behavior

Instructor:

The following sites have articles and information which could be helpful to review

before presenting the lessons in this module. NOTE: These resources require internet

access and therefore must be accessed outside of the correctional facility.

Students Perceptions of Ethical Behavior: A Comparison of Attitudes towards

Entrepreneurs and Traditional Business Managers http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-

structures/15061962-1.html

Ethical Behavior article from Ask.com http://www.ask.com/web?q=ethical%20behavior&askid=ab515c4c-0789-43f7-87cf-6b8f5191620b-0-us_gsp&qsrc=999&o=10639&l=dir

Seattle University, Albers School of Business and Economics, Center for Business Ethics;

Resources page http://www.seattleu.edu/albers/inner.aspx?id=22952

Unethical Business Practices is the Quickest Way to Your Downfall (12.E.3)

Agenda – topics to be covered in the module and length of each item

Topic: Ethics Time Allotted: 4.5 Hours

A. Ethics – An Overview of Core Elements (1 hour)

B. Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (30 minutes)

C. Ethical Practices & Attitudes (1 hour)

D. Confidentiality & Integrity (30 minutes)

E. Personal Working Standards & Behaviors (45 minutes)

F. Personal Certificates (45 minutes)

http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures/15061962-1.html

http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures/15061962-1.html

http://www.ask.com/web?q=ethical%20behavior&askid=ab515c4c-0789-43f7-87cf-6b8f5191620b-0-us_gsp&qsrc=999&o=10639&l=dir

http://www.ask.com/web?q=ethical%20behavior&askid=ab515c4c-0789-43f7-87cf-6b8f5191620b-0-us_gsp&qsrc=999&o=10639&l=dir

http://www.seattleu.edu/albers/inner.aspx?id=22952



Materials & Supplies – items needed in order to carry out the agenda and classroom activities

1. Handouts: Reflection and Thinking Journal (12.A.1) – multiple copies for each

student, Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (12.B.1), Scenarios for Discussion

(12.C.1), Discussion Points for Maintaining Ethical Practices and Attitudes (12.C.2),

Pictures/Images (12.D.1), Personal and Professional Working Standards and Ethical

Behaviors Code (12.E.1), Personal and Professional Working Standards and Ethical

Behaviors Code Sample (12.E.2), Unethical Business Practices is the Quickest Way to

Your Downfall (12.E.3)

2. PowerPoint – Exploring Ethical Behavior (12.A.2)

3. Unethical Business Practices is the Quickest Way to Your Downfall – article

Classroom Preparation – steps to follow when setting up the learning environment

1. PowerPoint presentation set-up or copies of PowerPoint and document reader

2. Flip chart/pad with markers or board/markers for instructor

3. Bowl/box to draw discussion points from

4. Computer access and certificate paper

5. Students configured to facilitate group discussion as well as dyads and triads as

needed



Curriculum Content

A. Ethics – An Overview of Core Elements (1 hour)

Objective SS12.1: Understand the concept of ethical and unethical behaviors, practices

and attitudes.

PREINSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Make multiple copies of the Reflection and Thinking Journal (12.A.1) pages and

give to students at the very beginning of the module.

Review the Exploring Ethical Behavior PowerPoint (12.A.2) prior to showing to

students; key focus points and notes are provided as deemed necessary in the slide

deck for each slide.

CONTENT PRESENTATION AND LEARNER PARTICIPATION

Show the Exploring Ethical Behavior PowerPoint (12.A.2).

B. Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (30 minutes)


and attitudes.


Present the Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (12.B.1).

Break students into six discussion groups and assign one bullet to each group.

Give groups about 10 minutes to: 1) identify the meaning or intent of the bullet and 2)

identify how it relates to the Ethical Behaviors lesson done prior (can bring in/reference

the Framing and Internalizing My Values Module #2 at this point as well).

Have groups report the critical points of their discussion (1. meaning or intent and 2.

relationship to Ethical Behaviors discussion).

C. Ethical Practices & Attitudes (1 hour)


and attitudes.




Present a few of the following scenarios for open, whole class discussion; focus

particularly on ethical behaviors and solutions that build relationships with

customers/community and minimize risk factors.

Scenarios for Discussion (12.C.1):

1. You recognize a customer or potential customer has compromised ethical practices; the customer or potential customer asks you to contract a project and you must decide whether to accept or not. Things have been a little slow and you could really use the work and the money.

2. You receive a duplicate payment from a customer who does not realize a double payment was made. You cash the second check thinking he probably will not notice. If he asks for the money back, you will just feign ignorance and issue a refund.

3. You did market surveying and realize your fees are lower than the local market. You have set January 1 as the time when your fees will increase. You purposefully schedule a contract signing the first week of January instead of the third week in December when the customer was ready to sign just so you can charge the higher rates.

4. Due to unforeseen circumstances, customer orders become backlogged and customers are demanding their finished products. You explain to the customers the reason for the backlog, what you are doing to rectify the problem, and when the finished work will be available. You offer customers a full refund if they cannot wait until the finished work is available.

5. A customer makes a complaint about your service and finished work product. This customer is a tiny account and the monies received negligible. When the customer complains a second time and cancels her account, you do not apologize or care because you do not need her money anyway.

6. You are about to close a big sale. The potential customer asks you a question, and if you do not fib, you know you will lose the sale. You tell the fib and save the sale.

7. You pretend to have a prior relationship with a potential client in order to get your foot in the door. What they do not remember will not hurt them.

Provide Discussion Points for Maintaining Ethical Practices and Attitudes

(12.C.2) handout:

Note: For Discussion Points for Maintaining Ethical Practices and Attitudes

(12.C.2):



Guarantees – what is dependable care & service delivery?

It takes critical thinking and a clear understanding of prioritization to

provide dependable (reliable and trustworthy) care and service delivery –

in this case “care” speaks to the correctness of the work; the exactness of

the product to request. Service delivery addresses the wide customer

focus elements as well as on-time delivery of products.

Commercialization – which is first… service or business?

This discussion point holds the concept that if all the emphasis is on

building a business/making money then the ethical aspects/behaviors

change; the business focus moves the contractor away from stellar service

delivery to the customer because more focus is on making money. This

can potentially lead to a name and a number type of thinking, leading to

decline in customers.

Awareness – what is meant by attentive engagement?

This element is of paramount importance to business development. The

attentive engagement or relationship building aspects have a wide span of

meaning and influence. The variables include understanding the

customer’s business; asking important questions that show genuine

interest and desire to know more about the customer’s business;

understanding some of the general personal aspects of the customer that

frame the business/origin of the business; keeping in touch with the

customer about progress on a contract (but not too much contact);

honoring deadlines, etc.

Microenterprise Growth – does it weaken or strengthen services?

This is an important/critical factor in business development. Grow too

slow and the contractor can starve; too fast and the contractor can have

extreme difficulty making his/her commitments. This discussion point also

covers the balance between marketing, relationship building, and actual

work – let one get out of whack and the business suffers – do too much

of all three and the business grows too fast. The answer is to have

thought through the scenarios and have a plan; know capacity, etc.



Briefly, review the four Discussion Points, making sure everyone is comfortable with the

vocabulary and general meaning (see notes to instructor above); connect Braillist's

Pledge of Professional Ethics (12.B.1) to each of the four Discussion Points.

Have students form four discussion groups. Each group draws one of the Discussion

Points from a bowl/box (same as those on the Discussion Points for Maintaining

Ethical Practices & Attitudes (12.C.2) handout).

Give each group 15 to 20 minutes to:

Discuss the major elements of the Discussion Point drawn,

Identify how the Discussion Point could relate to being a braille transcriber, and

Create a scenario that could occur as a braille transcriber that depicts the

Discussion Point.

Have each group present their scenario; ask the rest of the students to discuss the

presented scenario and provide comment based on their beliefs and thoughts about

ethical practices and attitudes pertaining to the scenario.

Wrap up the lesson with open discussion about the scenarios. Ask students to reflect on

key elements learned using their Reflection and Thinking Journal (12.A.1).

D. Confidentiality & Integrity (30 minutes)

Objective SS12.2: Recognize when and how to maintain confidentiality and integrity on

and off the job.


This is a short lesson that should be tied back to the Braillist's Pledge of

Professional Ethics (12.B.1).

Introduce the concept of Integrity.

Ask students to look at the Pictures/Images (12.D.1); have them think about the

characteristics of Integrity and next to each image write those characteristics.

What does the picture say about Integrity?

After students are done, ask them to think about their own levels of Integrity and

reflect on these questions:



Do they see themselves having strong characteristics of Integrity?

What do they believe needs improvement as they move toward a career as a

braille transcriber?

Finish with these thoughts/comments or other related ones as appropriate:

Customers expect trustworthiness.

Customers anticipate that a contractor knows/recognizes when faced with

making an honest/dishonest decision based on values.

Customers expect contractors to understand the impacts of violating the

customer’s beliefs and chooses ethical courses of action

Have students define the term Confidentiality from a contractor/business and braille

transcriber perspective; write their responses/descriptions on the flip chart/board.

In their Reflection and Thinking Journal (12.A.1) ask students to describe what

the following aspect of the Pledge means as they begin to think about themselves as a

contractor in a microenterprise – a braille transcriber.

“Treat all material transcribed as confidential unless the material is publicly

available or an agreement has been obtained in writing that the information may

be disclosed.”

Ask students to create a list of confidentiality requirements questions they might want to

ask themselves when beginning a contract; give some examples if needed.

Share examples with students of how confidentiality could be compromised without

some advance thinking (e.g., talking to a best friend about a braille transcribing job you

are working on and describing the “pain in the … customer” and then noticing one of the

customer’s employees sitting in the booth next to you clearly within earshot).

E. Personal Working Standards & Behaviors (45 minutes)

Objective SS12.3: Identify personal working standards and behaviors.


In this lesson, the goal is that students have formed enough of a foundation to begin

setting and articulating their personal working standards and ethical behaviors.

Start the lesson with a short review of all that has been covered:

Ethical and unethical behaviors



Confidentiality and integrity

Ethical practices and attitudes

Scenarios and thinking/reflection exercises

Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (12.B.1)

The intent of this next activity is to encourage advance thinking and preparation to

assist students in distinguishing between right and wrong and being able to act

accordingly as a braille transcriber. Questions that will be pertinent to ask at various

times during the students’ development are:

Where did you learn ethical behaviors? Who taught you?

How do you define “good” and fair to your needs and to the needs of all?

How does ethical behavior correspond to your needs and human needs?

Credibility comes with ethical behavior; are your standards and behaviors

creating credibility for you as an individual? As a braille transcriber?

Can you see yourself making better decisions given these standards and

behaviors?

The simple yet very deep and complex requirements of good personal and professional

working standards and behaviors contain four parts:

Clear vision

Open and honest communication (with self and others)

Development of ethical relationships

Personal and professional commitment to ethical behavior

Using the worksheet, have students create their Personal and Professional

Working Standards and Ethical Behaviors Code (12.E.1); a Sample (12.E.2) is

provided.

F. Personal Certificates (45 minutes)

Objective SS12.3: Identify personal working standards and behaviors.

FOLLOW-THROUGH ACTIVITIES

Having completed the Personal and Professional Working Standards and Ethical

Behaviors Code (12.E.1), students can transfer it into a certificate format.

The final activity is to have each student create their personal certificates, suitable for

framing to hang in their microenterprise business and have in their portfolio for

customer preview.



Have the Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (12.B.1) electronically on the

computer systems for students to access.

Download certificate templates from the internet and allow students to choose the one

they like. (Copy the templates onto a CD ahead of time so that they can be utilized

within the correctional facility.)

The Microsoft site has many.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-

us/templates/results.aspx?qu=certificates&origin=CT010142349

Have students create their certificates using Microsoft Word and print them out.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=certificates&origin=CT010142349

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=certificates&origin=CT010142349



Soft Skills Module 12 Exploring Ethical Behavior Handouts



Reflection and Thinking Journal (12.A.1)

Ethics: A system of moral principles, rules and conduct

Ethical: Conforming to accepted standards of conduct

Remember: Experiences, values and critical analyses form your ethical beliefs.

12.A.1











Braillist's Pledge of Professional Ethics (12.B.1)

A Position Statement of

the Braille Authority of North America

I pledge to:

prepare braille materials in an accurate, timely manner, without personal interjection,

refrain from using any information obtained in the performance of my duties in a manner that would be detrimental to the agency or person for whom the material was transcribed,

treat all material transcribed as confidential unless the material is publicly available or an agreement has been obtained in writing that the information may be disclosed,

conduct business in a professional manner with dignity, respect and courtesy,

accept assignments as dictated by my knowledge of the subject matter, braille skill competency level, and ability to complete the assignment on a mutually agreed upon date, and

continuously develop the highest levels of knowledge and skills through professional development in my chosen specialty.

-- Adopted by the National Braille Association, November 2003

-- Adopted by the Braille Authority of North America, April 2005

For more information about the Braille Authority of North America, visit

www.brailleauthority.org.

12.B.1

http://www.brailleauthority.org/



Scenarios for Discussion (12.C.1)

1. You recognize a customer or potential customer has compromised ethical practices; the customer or potential customer asks you to contract a project and you must decide whether to accept or not. Things have been a little slow and you could really use the work and the money.

2. You receive a duplicate payment from a customer who does not realize a double

payment was made. You cash the second check thinking he probably will not notice. If he asks for the money back, you will just feign ignorance and issue a refund.

3. You did market surveying and realize your fees are lower than the local market.

You have set January 1 as the time when your fees will increase. You purposefully schedule a contract signing the first week of January instead of the third week in December when the customer was ready to sign just so you can charge the higher rates.

4. Due to unforeseen circumstances, customer orders become backlogged and

customers are demanding their finished products. You explain to the customers the reason for the backlog, what you are doing to rectify the problem, and when the finished work will be available. You offer customers a full refund if they cannot wait until the finished work is available.

5. A customer makes a complaint about your service and finished work product.

This customer is a tiny account and the monies received negligible. When the customer complains a second time and cancels her account, you do not apologize or care because you do not need her money anyway.

6. You are about to close a big sale. The potential customer asks you a question,

and if you do not fib, you know you will lose the sale. You tell the fib and save the sale.

7. You pretend to have a prior relationship with a potential client in order to get

your foot in the door. What they do not remember will not hurt them.

12.C.1



Discussion Points for Maintaining Ethical Practices and Attitudes

(12.C.2)

12.C.2

Commercialization

Which is First…

Service or Business?

Guarantees

What is

Dependable Care &

Service Delivery?

Microenterprise

Growth

Does it Weaken or

Strengthen

Services?

Awareness

What is meant

by Attentive

Engagement?



12.D.1



Personal and Professional Working Standards and Ethical Behaviors Code Worksheet (12.E.1)

Review your Reflection and Thinking Journal as well as information and notes from

this Exploring Ethical Behavior Module.

Which ethical practices and attitudes do you see as personally and professionally

fundamental to the work you will be doing? Be sure to maintain an open and honest

communication with yourself and others as you develop your Personal and Professional

Working Standards and Ethical Behaviors Code.

When you are finished, you should have the following:

A clear vision for yourself,

What the development of ethical behaviors looks like and how you will maintain

them , and

A stated personal and professional commitment to ethical behavior.

Topic or Thinking Area

My Thoughts and Response

Vision

The look of ethical relationships and maintaining them

Personal and professional commitment to ethical behavior

Other

12.E.1



Samples (12.E.2)

Personal and Professional Working Standards

and Ethical Behaviors Code

Demonstrate a high standard of ethical behavior.

Avoid a conflict of interest.

Know the rules & apply them intentionally.

Know it’s okay not to have a comment or

comeback.

Set & maintain high expectations.

Recognize the difference between policy & process.

Deliver difficult messages yourself.

Stay informed on relevant issues.

Follow through on commitments.

Make decisions based on what’s best for customer.

Make sure your website is accessible.

Adapted from: The Ten Commandments of Leadership, State of Washington

Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and Association of

Washington Cities, Maury Forman and Michelle Harvey, 2007

12.E.2



Unethical Business Practices is the Quickest Way to Your

Downfall (12.E.3)

By Cfagbata

Rules are expedient in life and business. In a business environment, there can be no place for any unethical business practice. There exists a business code of conduct that anyone operating in that niche must adhere to, meaning you must follow some basic guidelines which are;

1. to be fair at all times. 2. to always give honest opinions, etc.

These guidelines are there to guide you against any unethical business practices that can ruin your business and future. If you have doubt about your way of doing business or engaged in any unethical business practices that have become a burden and a risk, then it is time to correct the situation because ignoring them does not mean they are not there. But what does unethical business practices really mean? Who creates the business rules or code of conducts that every so called businessman must follow? In any case, what an individual or organization does determine what is ethical or unethical. Business or professional ethics stem from the moral and socially acceptable behavior. Whether we like it or not, society can somehow dictate what is right and wrong. In business it is the same, the rules and regulations of the land can determine what is ethically wrong or right. Moreover, these norms of socially acceptable behavior are not just based on the laws but sometimes on the morality of the person as well. So for example, if you are scheming or somehow manipulating the market prices or not paying the right taxes to your government by doctoring the records, then you are not just breaking the law but also engaging in unethical business practices, which may affect you in future, if you are eventually caught. Bear in mind, the code of conduct is created for a reason and that is to protect you and other people. It is also a way to help you grow and monitor your progress, and the most vital thing is to maintain a balance in everything you do in business. In fact, if there are no laws or regulations that will keep us in check, then how in the world can anyone accomplish anything ethically? Retrieved August 2011: http://cfagbata.com/unethical-business-practices/

12.E.3

http://cfagbata.com/author/cfa/

Documents

Soft Skills Module 12 Exploring Ethical Behaviorprofitt.gatech.edu/drupal/sites/default/files/curriculum/Soft Skills Track/Soft Skills...PROFITT Curriculum Module # 12 – Exploring